Cradle
Object number2011.114.1
Retailer
Ford-Johnson Furniture Company
Manufacturer
Indiana State Prison North
Date1882-1892
OriginMichigan City, IN
MediumWood; Steel
Credit LineGift of Medelin Boots
DescriptionWooden field cradle. Curved basket of wood planks, painted blue/green with red accents. Yellow text on center planks. Top sides have steel reinforcement brackets. Basket swings from hooks on a wooden frame that has two steel wheels on one end.Dimensions26 x 25.5 x 45.5 in. (66 x 64.8 x 115.6 cm)MarksPrinted on center planks, in yellow: "Ford-Johnson Furniture Co."; "Michigan City IND"; "PATENT"; "OCT...".
Historical NotesThis cradle was made by prison labor at Indiana State Prison North in Michigan City, Indiana, for the Ford-Johnson Furniture Company. It was used by donor Madelin Boots' family on their farm in the town of Alum Rock in Clarion County, Pennsylvania. Field cradles were used by agricultural workers in order to bring their infants into the field with them. The unit could be pulled by the handle while the baby rocked in the cradle. The donor used to play with this particular cradle when she was a child; it was found in her grandmother Margaret (Potts) Heeter's attic. She believes her great grandmother used this cradle to care for her grandmother, as all of her family were farmers in Clarion County.
Previous owner
Margaret Potts Heeter
On View
Not on view
c. 1978
1987
1987
c.1987