Help-what ANTIQUE still, steamer, frige? we found in the icehouse (Bangor: rain, kids)

[Boomerang]

Originally Posted by Moxie

I have never seen a historical society or grange in Raymond. We were missing our dear old friend Ernie Knight who was born around 1905, and passed away a couple of years ago. My 11 yr old said upon finding the "still", "I wish Ernie were still here, he knew everything!"

The folks who've been around a long time are national treasures. It's amazing how much we, as a culture, lose with each generation.

But anyway, here's a few ideas for you if a picture doesn't help:

http://www.raymondmaine.org/historic...ty/default.htm

Maine.gov: Facts & History: Historical Societies


- The Cumberland Fairgrounds have a little museum that's open during the Fair; those folks, or other fair/grange societies (like Fryeburg) may also have a human encyclopedia in residence. Hey, there's another idea. Know anyone who has a home & farm or other ancient encyclopedia?

[Boomerang]

Originally Posted by Nor'Eastah

Hmmmm...could it be used as a mouse-proof metal container?

I just got an idea for you. A few old refrigerators would make perfect storage

[starwalker]

Here are some photos of the mystery device. Moxie emailed them to me and I downsized them and cropped out a few images close up of some of the parts that I found interesting.

I have not a clue, but will be shooting an email off to my down east, NC museum buddies shortly. Any antique mavens in this bunch want to take a guess from the photos??





and the close-ups...

[Bydand]

Could it be an early dehydrator or smoker of some sort? First thing that popped into my head was a dehydrator. don't think they were into banana or Apple chips though so I don't know what they might have used it for. Maybe dry fruit or jerky for the winter months or on board ships?

[Bydand]

Originally Posted by Moxie

We were missing our dear old friend Ernie Knight who was born around 1905, and passed away a couple of years ago. My 11 yr old said upon finding the "still",
"I wish Ernie were still here, he knew everything!"

I took my Grandmother before she passed away over to New Brunswick to go through Kings Landing. As we were taking a tour through one of the buildings, the lady who was acting as a guide was telling what the different things were used for. She came to one item and mentioned that although they knew it was used in a kitchen, the didn't know what exactly it was, my Grandmother piped up with "Why I declare, that is a New Era Buttermilk Extractor (Not too sure of the exact name now, but do remember what company it was), I used one of those as a kid at my Grandmothers house." The lady got all excited and told us to hang on while she went to get the Director. When they got back they had Grandma show them exactly how it worked and what it was used for. They took notes, even video taped her "loading, and operating" the unit. Turns out my Grandmothers Grandfather worked at the place making them back in New Era, Michigan and that is the only reason they owned one because "They were for the rich folks, not poor folk like we were, They were too expensive to buy." She was 84 and that was in 1990 when we went over there.

Treasures are right! Wish I had spent more time with her gathering the knowledge she had, same with all my Grandparents.

[moughie]

Originally Posted by Moxie

While cleaning out the ice house on our property we found something. Wish I could post a picture but I don't have the capability on this computer.
It stands about 4 feet tall is made of metal, is round, has a lid, a spigot and funnel thing on the outside, coils inside a big pot. There is a second chamber below with wire shelf.
We got very little info off of the lid. I've tried to look for a patent but haven't had any luck.
It has the following words that are still legible: steam, food, refrigerator and some kind of 4 step process.
It also has the original patent date of Aug 8, 1905 and subsequent dates of Sept 11, 1906, Nov 6, 1906 and the last date of June 23, 1908.
At first we thought it might be a still but since it mentions ice, refrigerator, steam and food we aren't sure.

A wild guess here- something related to making maple syrup perhaps??

[elston]

I wondered if it could be part of making salt codfish, the spigot to drain of the liquid extracted, the racks to hold pieces of fish??????naw that seems very unlikely as cod fish are huge.

Hmmmm: Something you steam, and refrigerate, and has racks for drying and spigot to drain off liquid produced as a bi-product of the process. Cheese making?

[Maineah]

It's a Russian Space Ship!

[RANGER.101ST]

Originally Posted by Maineah

It's a Russian Space Ship!

it cant be it has doors on it.it looks like the tub with the coild tube may come out.it looks like it has handels on it.

[peachie_in_maine]

Originally Posted by Boomerang

The folks who've been around a long time are national treasures. It's amazing how much we, as a culture, lose with each generation.

Sadly it's so true. I think I was born in the wrong time frame.