Star-patterned, pieced-wool bed cover, created by Martha Lutz Walter from her husband William Walter's Reading Railroad uniforms. Alternate black wool blocks are decorated with multicolored wool plushwork stars w/ raised, sculpted appearance. Remaining alternate wool blocks are secured with wool yarn ties. Seams of pieced blocks have green and red feather stitching. Binding stitch secures edges. Backing is blue and orange, striped, pilled cotton flannel.
Provenance
Made by donor's mother. William Walter was a station agent for the Reading Railroad in Denver, PA.
Plushwork decoration was popular in the early 20th century.
See Trish Herr's Amish Arts of Lancaster Co.1998 for other examples of plushwork and a description of this decoration on page 44. See page 45 for photos demonstrating this technique. See also pp. 90-91 for another example of a plushwork bed cover.
Leather fire bucket . Painted black banner with yellow letters: "Farmer's Bank." has foliate designs on both ends of banner. "No. 9" is painted below banner in black. Stitched leather construction. Metal D rings and leather loops attach 1in wide leather handle and bucket. Tag found inside bucket: "Water Bucket of C W Richenbach Property of Union No 1". Tag is for 1931 Union Fire Company annual dinner. Tag is now in object file.
Button from 1936 Fireman's Day. White button with black firetruck in center. Black lettering says "Lancaster County FIremans' Day." Below firetruck" June 6, 1936 Christiana, PA." One inch of 3/4 inch wide red ribbon holds a 1 3/8 long gold colored metal fireman's helmet. Maker's name, Erisman Lanc. Pa., in blue ink on paper insert on back of button.
According to donor's records all buttons were from Fireman's Conventions; Fireman's Day seems to be another name for these conventions.
One of two. Button from 1937 Lancaster County Fireman's Convention. Button with blue ribbon ( 1.5in w x 3.25in L) White background with red text "Hope Fire Engine and Hose Company 125th Anniversary" around a central picture of a fire truck with "1812-1937" beneath it. On dark blue ribbon in silver letters "17th Annual Convention Lancaster County FiIremen's Association Manheim, PA. June 5, 1937_" Stamped silver fringe border at bottom edge.
Two of two. Button from 1937 Lancaster County Fireman's Convention. Button with blue ribbon ( 1.5in w x 3.25in L) White background with red text "Hope Fire Engine and Hose Company 125th Anniversary" around a central picture of a fire truck with "1812-1937" beneath it. On dark blue ribbon in silver letters "17th Annual Convention Lancaster County FiIremen's Association Manheim, PA. June 5, 1937_" Stamped silver fringe border at bottom edge.
Button from 1938 Lancaster County Firemen's Convention. Front of button pictures a lime kiln with "Quarryville, PA" beneath. Around the circumference of the botton, in black letter: "Quarryville Fire Company No 1 Home of the Lime Quarries." On a red robbon (1.625in w x 3.5in L) in gold letters: "18th Annual Convention lanster County Firemen's Association Quarryville PA. June 4, 1938"
Delegate badge to the 1939 Lancaster County FIremen's Association Convention. Gold colored metal badge (1.875in x .75in) with white insert card, typed "Christ Koehler Delegate Lititz Fire Co" On 1.5in wide purple ribbon in gold letters: "19th Annual Convention Lancaster County Firemen's Association Delegate June 3, 1939 Lancaster, PA." Straight lower edge with stamped gold tassels.
Delegate badge of the Lancaster County Fireman's Association Convention.Gold colored metal badge (2.25in x .75in) with white typed insert card: "Christ Koehler Lititz Fire Co." On 1.625in wide ribbon in gold letters: "18th Annual Convention Lancaster County Firemen's Association Delegate June 4, 1938 Quarryville, PA."
Delegate badge for the Lancaster County Firemen's Association Convention. Gold colored metal badge, 2.25in x .75in. On purple ribbon in gold letters; "17th Annual Convention Lancaster County Firemen's Association Delegate June 5, 1937 Manheim, PA."
Delegate badge for the Lancaster County Friemen's Association Convention. Gold colored metal badge (2.25in x .75in) with white insert card, typed: "Christ B. Koehler Lititz Fire Co." On 1.625in wide ribbon in gold letters: "16th Annual Convention Lancaster County firemen's Association Delegate June 6, 1936 Christiana, PA."
