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Looking for a 19th-Century Peddler's Pack or Wagon

  • 1.  Looking for a 19th-Century Peddler's Pack or Wagon

    Posted 04-06-2022 05:59 AM
    I am completing a book on exploiting American Jewish history through 50 historic objects and am looking for a 19th-century peddler's pack or wagon for inclusion in that book. Preferably, the object would have a Jewish association and have been in use prior to 1880, but I am open to considering any well-documented pack or wagon from any region of the US. Thanks for any leads!

    Avi Decter, Managing Partner, History Now   avidecter@gmail.com


  • 2.  RE: Looking for a 19th-Century Peddler's Pack or Wagon

    Posted 04-07-2022 08:56 AM

    Avi –

     

    You might want to contact the Jewish Museum Milwaukee. They have – or had – such a cart on display and may still have it in their collections.

     

     

    Erich Zuern
    Executive Producer

     

    Check out our new website!

     


    2426 N. 73rd Street, Suite #104 | Milwaukee, WI 53213
    P: 414.745.4158
    EZuern@bluewater.studio |  www.bluewater.studio   BWS_Linkedin Logo

     






  • 3.  RE: Looking for a 19th-Century Peddler's Pack or Wagon

    Posted 04-07-2022 09:45 AM
    Many thanks for this lead! Best.

    Avi



    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Looking for a 19th-Century Peddler's Pack or Wagon

    Posted 04-07-2022 10:53 AM
    Hi, Erich! It turns out that the wagon in the Jewish Museum Milwaukee is a fabrication or facsimile! Still looking. Best.

    Avi



    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Looking for a 19th-Century Peddler's Pack or Wagon

    Posted 04-07-2022 09:44 AM
    I believe the Martha's Vineyard Museum has one, but I do not believe it has any Jewish associations.

    ------------------------------
    Valarie Kinkade
    Principal
    Museum and Collector Resource LLC
    Fort Lauderdale FL and
    Concord, MA
    ------------------------------



  • 6.  RE: Looking for a 19th-Century Peddler's Pack or Wagon

    Posted 04-07-2022 12:28 PM
    You might try the National Museum of American History. When I was working on my dissertation about scientific hoaxes, they had an incredible collection from a 19th-century traveling science demonstrator that was invaluable to me (although no Jewish connection, I don't believe). You might also see whether the Tenement House Museum might have any leads. Best of luck--sounds like a fascinating project!

    ------------------------------
    Elizabeth Stewart PhD
    Director
    Renton History Museum
    Renton WA
    ------------------------------



  • 7.  RE: Looking for a 19th-Century Peddler's Pack or Wagon

    Posted 04-07-2022 01:29 PM
    Thanks, Elizabeth! I'll follow up! Best.

    Avi



    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Looking for a 19th-Century Peddler's Pack or Wagon

    Posted 04-07-2022 01:45 PM
    Please circle back and let us know when the book is available!

    ------------------------------
    Elizabeth Stewart PhD
    Director
    Renton History Museum
    Renton WA
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: Looking for a 19th-Century Peddler's Pack or Wagon

    Posted 04-07-2022 12:38 PM
    The Philadelphia History Museum had an exhibit on the Jewish history of Philly's Fabric Row in 2016, with a pushcart on display in the gallery. Not sure if that's what you're looking for, but it may be worth looking into. I believe the Museum's collections are now stewarded by Drexel University.

    ------------------------------
    Lauren Cooper
    Interpretive Planner - Exhibitions
    Penn Museum - University of Pennsylvania
    Philadelphia PA
    ------------------------------



  • 10.  RE: Looking for a 19th-Century Peddler's Pack or Wagon

    Posted 04-07-2022 01:30 PM
    Thanks, Lauren! Sounds promising! I'll follow up! Best.

    Avi



    Original Message


  • 11.  RE: Looking for a 19th-Century Peddler's Pack or Wagon

    Posted 04-07-2022 01:40 PM
    Hi Avi, I suspect you've already tried JewishGen but you might also try the Collections Stewardship Committee of AAM listserv. It's composed of folks with responsibility for managing museum object collections and the records associated with them. You can find info on that group here:CSAAM

    I think a more targeted query might get more results, as might inquiries to the museum organizations serving southern and Plains/western states--places we know saw a lot of Jewish peddlers in the 19th century. Mountain Plains Museum Assn  Southeastern Museums Conference

    Good luck.

    ------------------------------
    Diane Gutenkauf
    Krannert Art Museum
    Champaign IL
    dgutenkauf@hotmail.com
    ------------------------------



  • 12.  RE: Looking for a 19th-Century Peddler's Pack or Wagon

    Posted 04-07-2022 01:45 PM
    Many thanks, Diane, for your suggestions. Much appreciated! I will follow up! Best.

    Avi



    Original Message


  • 13.  RE: Looking for a 19th-Century Peddler's Pack or Wagon

    Posted 04-08-2022 11:02 AM
    Hi Avi. I believe the Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience in New Orleans has a peddler's cart on display.

    Best of luck,
    Lauren

    ------------------------------
    Lauren Gilbert
    Senior Manager for Public Services
    Center for Jewish History
    New York NY
    ------------------------------



  • 14.  RE: Looking for a 19th-Century Peddler's Pack or Wagon

    Posted 04-08-2022 11:12 AM
    Thanks, Lauren, for this lead! I will follow up! Best.

    Avi



    Original Message


  • 15.  RE: Looking for a 19th-Century Peddler's Pack or Wagon

    Posted 04-08-2022 03:04 PM
    Hi, Lauren! Thanks again for that lead--but it turns out that the peddler's cart at MSJE is a prop, not an historical object! Best.

    Avi



    Original Message


  • 16.  RE: Looking for a 19th-Century Peddler's Pack or Wagon

    Posted 04-08-2022 03:18 PM
    Oh well! I remember reading it about it when the museum opened last year, but I haven't been there in person. I hope you find one!

    Lauren



    Original Message


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