Artifacts

Umbrella Swift

2005.5

An umbrella swift is a textile-working device utilized to hold a hank of yarn in place while it is being wound into a yarn ball. The umbrella swift is a common type of swift developed in the United States during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. This particular umbrella swift is double-caged, with struts extending outward from two hub locations on the central rod in an accordion manner. The struts move toward the lattice-patterned ribs. This umbrella swift is likely composed of whale bone and ivory. The central rod is decorated with carved ivory, and features a cup-shaped finial ornament with red pigment inlay and abalone. The engraving and carving of bone or ivory is known as scrimshaw, an art form created by whalers and typically completed on shipboard. Scrimshaw can be found in practical items, such as this umbrella swift. In fact, sailors produced scrimshaw as gifts for loved ones back at home.

This featured artifact belonged to Elizabeth Hubert Malott, who resided in Kenilworth with her husband and three kids for many years. Malott devoted much of her life to philanthropic work. Malott likely acquired this umbrella swift through her recreational needlepointing. According to her daughters, Malott was an excellent seamstress.

C&NW Ticket Validator

Throughout history, railroads have always been important contributors towards the development and success of the communities. Kenilworth station was designed by Franklin Burnham in circa 1891 for the Chicago & North Western (C&NW) railroad which ran between Chicago and Milwaukee.

Chinese Porcelain Soup Tureen

In the early 2000s Kenilworth Historical Society acquired a Large Soup Tureen from Charles Sears. It was given to Charles’ great-grandma, Helen Sears, wife of Joseph Sears by her aunt Martha Barry Paine. The tureen was brought from Russia, by Captain John Lambert probably in the 18th century.

For centuries soup tureens can be found in a variety of designs. The dish served as the centerpiece of the family’s table and was used to serve soup, stews, chowder, and broth. This white and blue elegant porcelain tureen has two handles and features flowers, landscapes, etc.

1890 brochure

Here is an excerpt from the an 1890 brochure, which was produced by the Kenilworth Company to promote the attractive features of Kenilworth:

“The desire for a home in the country, with its pure air, quiet, green grass, forest shade, and all the comforts and delights of rural life, when such conditions can be combined with the conveniences of the city, becomes more and more urgent each year with the increase in traffic and manufacturing industries of our city, and the consequent din, smoke, impure air and disagreeable and unhealthy odors.”

Hammond Typewriter

2010.12

This featured artifact belonged to Mr. James Culbertson the first village president of Kenilworth.

The typewriter was invented by James B. Hammond and was introduced in the market in the early 1880’s. It featured a semi circular strip of hardened rubber called a typo shuttle and a spring driven hammer. To print the letter on the paper , the hammer struck the paper from behind and pushed it against the shuttle through a thin rubber impression band. It came with the Ideal keyboard, which was a two row keyboard which grouped vowels and commonly used letters together. The Hammond No. 2 , which was introduced in 1895, was equipped with a small metal tab to lift the type shuttle on the front of the “ turret ” in order for the user to see what had been typed. It came with the curved “ Ideal ” and the Qwerty , “ Universal ” keyboard as well. Between 1885 and early 1900’s, Hammond introduced many models which were based on Hammond No 2, each with different features such as carriage lengths and Greek letters etc. Typewriter was a mark of innovative engineering design which transformed ease and speed of written communication for the modern world. Even though typewriters are now an object of history, typing is still very relevant in this age.

Stereoscope and Stereograph

1987.10.1

“The specific appeal of stereography lay in the illusion of reality created, because stereographs mimicked depth, solidity, and perspective, as if one were looking at a scene through a window.” (Babbitts, Judith 2004)

“The Perfecscope”, patented in USA, 1895, manufactured by Underwood and Underwood is a stereoscope , an optical instrument, consisting of two prismatic lenses and a wooden holder for the stereograph card. A Stereograph is comprised of two identical photographs, pasted on a backboard, which are offset from each other, one slightly to the right and another to the left. When viewed using the stereoscope, the human eye combines these two photographs which are seen from slightly different angles of the left and right eye, transmitting these to the brain, merging them into one, producing a three-dimensional image. This visual knowledge was brought into day-to-day lives by two major companies, Underwood and Underwood and Keystone company. Stereographs were used in the field of education, entertainment, sales etc. between mid 19th century to early 20th century.

This Stereoscope was gifted by Barbara Barrett to Kenilworth Historical Society in 1987. The Stereographs feature scenes of Chicago’s architecture and Memorial Day celebrations with Kenilworth’s Girl Scouts, circa 1930s/40s.

Dorthy Sear’s diary

Dorthy Sears, c. 1918, KHS

Let’s take a look back at Dorthy Sear’s diary from Nov. 7th 1918, as the First World War was coming to an end:

“The Germans are to cross the front line trenches at dawn today, to receive the armistice! These are great times… It is hard to believe every where we went people were exulting but later we heard that up to 2 o’clock the Armistice had not been signed. They say tho that they are celebrating wildly in Chicago… Can hardly wait for more news.”

Bes-Ben Millinery

Bes-Ben Hats

1990.4.1, 1999.25, 2001.5.1, 2015.12

Through the 1960s, hats were worn daily by most women. The Kenilworth Historical Society’s costume collection contains over three dozen women’s hats. Most notably, KHS has four hats from the famed millinery Bes-Ben, donated by long-time Kenilworth resident, Marie Bonnell. Dubbed Chicago’s “Mad Hatter”, Benjamin Green-Field of Bes-Ben, designed eccentric and flamboyant hats popular among the region’s affluent women and numerous celebrities, including Hedda Hopper, Marlene Dietrich, and Elizabeth Taylor. Green-field was known for decorating his hats with unusual items such as kitchen utensils, and a variety of figures, including miniature animals, cigarette packs, and skyscrapers. Bes-Ben hat prices ranged from $80 to $1,000. Once a year, women lined up outside his flagship shop at 938 N. Michigan Ave. to purchase a hat for just $5.

Liberty Bond buttons

13 Liberty Bond buttons

2018.xx.27.9-.12

During World War I, the United States Treasury issued securities termed “Liberty Bonds” (or “Liberty Loans”) to help fund the Allied cause. War bonds allowed the government to borrow money to finance its war efforts. There were four issues of Liberty Bonds in April and October 1917, and in April and September 1918. The first Liberty Bonds were issued three weeks after the United States Congress officially declared war on April 6, 1917. In April 1919, a fifth bond, the Victory Liberty Loan, was released after the Armistice ended fighting between the Allies and Germany in November 1918.

The 13 Liberty Bond buttons in our collections are a testament to the government’s campaign to popularize the bonds. The response to the first Liberty Bond was underwhelming, resulting in the release of the second Liberty Bond just five months later. While the Liberty Bonds did sell out, it was done below par, or face value. The Liberty Bonds campaign enlisted the help of artists to create posters and celebrities to host bond rallies. Investment in the Liberty Bonds became a symbol of patriotic duty.

The buttons were donated by the Haneman family of Kenilworth.

Dr. Lyon’s Tooth Powder

1994.1.1

Sample tin of Dr Lyon’s tooth powder donated by Mrs. George Drake. According to the description on the bottle, Dr. Lyon’s tooth powder is prepared by an experienced, practicing dentist. This tooth powder is intended to be used for cleaning teeth and preventing tooth troubles. It contains “no drugs, grit, pumice, acid, or other harmful ingredients.” Dr Lyon’s tooth powder was manufactured by the R.L. Watkins Company in Cleveland, Ohio. The product was established in 1866 by Dr. J.W. Lyon.

Tooth powder has been used since antiquity to clean and whiten teeth. In the United States, concern for oral hygiene practices developed in the early 20th century by government and health agencies. It was believed that a lack of dental hygiene led to other diseases in the body. Tooth powders were prepared by druggists or homemade by individuals. Commonly used ingredients included orris root, powdered cuttlebone, sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), calcium carbonate (chalk), and charcoal. However, many commercial tooth powders were unregulated, leaving consumers with little information about the safety of the products they used.

By the mid-1940s, toothpaste had overtaken tooth powder as the most popular form of dentifrice. In 1949, toothpaste claimed around 75% of the American market. Tooth powder is considered a cost-effective alternative to toothpaste in parts of the world today. Colgate currently markets a tooth powder that is popular in India and other countries.

Sterling Silver Tea-Coffee serving set

1997.1.1-3

The featured artifact is an early 20th century Sterling silver tea-coffee serving set belonging to Mrs George Maher. This set was donated to Kenilworth Historical Society by Mr. and Mrs. Wyld in 1997. The Art deco style serving set includes coffee / tea pot, sugar bowl or waste bowl, and creamer with monogrammed initials “EBM” of Mrs Elizabeth Brooks Maher. This set is believed to be a gift given to her.

The taller and narrow design of the pot helps minimize heat loss, preserves flavor and keeps the beverage warm. The spout and angular handles are soldered to the pot. The handles are meant to hold hot liquids and are cut, inserted and pinned with ivory insulators. The octagonal shaped base provides a better support. The set bears a hallmark of the Gorham company.

Painting of Kenilworth Station

Kenilworth Historical Society acquired this exquisite oil painting in 2017 of Kenilworth station made by Diana deMeuse, a resident of Kenilworth. Aesthetically a beautiful composition by itself the painting portrays a wintery scene with vibrant hues. The brilliant artwork amplifies the ambience of our front office and highlights the beauty of Kenilworth. KHS now has prints of the painting on notecards for purchase. Stop by our front desk during our open hours to send some to your friends and family.

Diana is an accomplished painter and a faculty at North Shore Art League. She is an experienced professional artist who has exhibited her artwork in many art shows. We are very grateful for her generous gift.