Ambler's Mowing Machine, circa 1836

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Artifact Overview

This is probably the oldest surviving American harvester. Enoch Ambler, a resident of Montgomery County, New York, patented this machine in 1834 and demonstrated it by cutting about 100 acres of grass in 1835. Interest in the mower led Beale & Griswold of Spencertown, New York, to buy Ambler's patent and attempt commercial production for the 1836 and 1837 seasons.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Mowing machine

Date Made

circa 1836

Creator Notes

Patented by Enoch Ambler of Root, New York and manufactured by Matthew K. Beale and Sherman Griswold of Spencertown, New York.

Location

at Henry Ford Museum in Agriculture

Object ID

24.94.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Wood (Plant material)
Cast iron

Dimensions

Width: 110 in
Length: 106 in

Ambler's Mowing Machine, circa 1836