Images(5)

Wheel, Spinning

Object numberM77.8.66

MediumWood; Metal; Leather; Thread

Credit LineGift of Dr. John Hoons and Mrs. John Hoons

DescriptionWooden flax spinning wheel. Dark brown wood. Flywheel with metal axle pin on two turned arms supported from rectangular base, supported by three turned legs with treadle connected to two legs. Flywheel has twelve turned spindles. Turned mother of all near front end of base with two turned vertical maidens that hold horizontal bobbin; bobbin is nearly empty with a few brown and green threads. Distaff connected at front end of rectangular base on turned arms (one vertical and one horizontal), missing one curved cage element. Turned handle on front of base. Missing footman that connected flywheel to treadle; two holes in treadle demarcate where the footman connected.DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth: 52.375 × 33.25 × 20.875 in. (133 × 84.5 × 53 cm)
InscriptionsMeadowcroft catalog number carved into the top of the rectangular base "77.8.66".
Historical NotesThis type of spinning wheel was for linen production from flax. The distaff held the unspun flax fibers. Donated to Meadowcroft Village by Dr. and Mrs. John Hoons of DuBois, Pennsylvania in May 1977. Transferred to Heinz History Center in 2003.

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