Broom

Object number2009.65.5

Manufacturer Blind & Vision Rehabilitation Services of Pittsburgh

Credit LineGift of Blind & Vision Rehabilitation Services of Pittsburgh

DescriptionBroom with painted blue wooden handle and straw bristles.Dimensions56 x 12.5 x 3 in. (142.2 x 31.8 x 7.6 cm)
Historical NotesIn 2010, the Blind and Vision Rehabilitation Center celebrated its 100-year anniversary. They opened as the Pittsburgh Blind Association in Oakland in 1910 to provide employment for people with vision loss. Broom making was one of the core jobs of the Center and provided brooms for fund raising efforts of non-profits as well as major local chains such as Giant Eagle. After making brooms for decades, the Blind and Vision Center shut down broom making operations in 2009. The operation had evolved over the past century and the History Center took in some of the earlier broom making equipment and tools as well as a sample of the types of brooms/mops made by the Blind and Vision Center. All workers at Blind and Vision Center have some kind of vision impairment. The Blind and Vision Center continues to obtain work through the state primarily producing road signs and fulfilling sewing contracts.Label TextBroom horse used in one of the final stages of broom making to cut the end off of the corn straws in order to create a flat bottom. This device was no longer used after 1950 with the introduction of more modern machinery. The broom in the saddle was popular with retail chains including Giant Eagle.

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