Butter churn
Northeastern United States
1820-1860
Measurements
45-3/4 in x 12 in (dia)
Materials
White pine (staves), oak (bottom board, straps, paddle cross), ash (churn handle)
Credit Line
Historic Odessa Foundation, gift of Mrs. Alfred C. Harrison
Accession Number
1969.244
Condition Notes
The ash handle has worn where it contacts the lid.
Comments
The slightly tapered cylindrical body of the butter churn is made of 13 staves held in place by five hoops, two of which abut one another at the top and two more at the bottom. The hoops are nailed in place. At the top, where the nails pierce the hoops because of the lid rabbet, the nails are clinched. Some of the nails holding the hoops appear to be made of copper; most are iron, raising the possibility that the iron ones are later reinforcements. The staves hold a two-piece bottom board in place. The lid is thick and domed on the underside. It also has a 3/4-inch strip added to one side, held in place by a wood peg and nails, which may have been added later. The outside of the church is painted a slate blue color.
The paddle has a long pole handle that has darkened with use, except below the lid where it is not handled. The end of the paddle has crossed blades, each of which has rounded ends and a hole in the center. The lapped blades slide onto the end of the pole and are wedged in place.
