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- Whale Oil Lamp, circa 1850 - Traditional make-dos are useful and precious objects that broke during their working lives. Their owners felt compelled to restore or repurpose these objects in a variety of ways. The glass base of this lamp broke and it was given a new base made of tin.
- circa 1850
- Collections - Artifact
Whale Oil Lamp, circa 1850
Traditional make-dos are useful and precious objects that broke during their working lives. Their owners felt compelled to restore or repurpose these objects in a variety of ways. The glass base of this lamp broke and it was given a new base made of tin.
- Pitcher, circa 1825 - In the 19th century, when a useful piece of serving ware like a ceramic pitcher broke, it was common to send it to the local tinsmith who would create a structure or mount to keep the pitcher usable.
- circa 1825
- Collections - Artifact
Pitcher, circa 1825
In the 19th century, when a useful piece of serving ware like a ceramic pitcher broke, it was common to send it to the local tinsmith who would create a structure or mount to keep the pitcher usable.
- Levi Jeans, 1970-1975 -
- 1970-1975
- Collections - Artifact
Levi Jeans, 1970-1975
- Lantern, circa 1890 - Traditional make-dos are useful and precious objects that broke during their working lives. Their owners felt compelled to restore or repurpose these objects in a variety of ways. This lantern has a pressed glass chimney--that was originally a vase.
- circa 1890
- Collections - Artifact
Lantern, circa 1890
Traditional make-dos are useful and precious objects that broke during their working lives. Their owners felt compelled to restore or repurpose these objects in a variety of ways. This lantern has a pressed glass chimney--that was originally a vase.
- Mug, 1850-1900 -
- 1850-1900
- Collections - Artifact
Mug, 1850-1900
- Make-Do Mug, 1990 - In 19th-century America, local tinsmiths produced new goods and offered repair services. Customers might bring a broken article of tin or another material, such as pottery or glass, to be repaired with a tin replacement part. "Making do" was much less expensive than purchasing a new item. The modern handle seen here was made in the Greenfield Village tin shop using historical tinsmithing techniques.
- 1990
- Collections - Artifact
Make-Do Mug, 1990
In 19th-century America, local tinsmiths produced new goods and offered repair services. Customers might bring a broken article of tin or another material, such as pottery or glass, to be repaired with a tin replacement part. "Making do" was much less expensive than purchasing a new item. The modern handle seen here was made in the Greenfield Village tin shop using historical tinsmithing techniques.
- Whale Oil Lamp, circa 1825 - Traditional make-dos are useful and precious objects that broke during their working lives. Their owners felt compelled to restore or repurpose these objects in a variety of ways. The glass base of this lamp broke and it was given a new base made of tin.
- circa 1825
- Collections - Artifact
Whale Oil Lamp, circa 1825
Traditional make-dos are useful and precious objects that broke during their working lives. Their owners felt compelled to restore or repurpose these objects in a variety of ways. The glass base of this lamp broke and it was given a new base made of tin.
- "Indivisible! Not Invisible," Sign from the Women's March, Washington, D. C., January 21, 2017 - On January 21, 2017 -- the day after Donald Trump's inauguration as President -- approximately four million people took to the streets across the United States to participate in the Women's March. This sign was carried at the Washington, D.C., protest. It repurposes Shephard Fairey's "We the People" poster that was printed in the <em>Washington Post</em> the day before the event.
- January 21, 2017
- Collections - Artifact
"Indivisible! Not Invisible," Sign from the Women's March, Washington, D. C., January 21, 2017
On January 21, 2017 -- the day after Donald Trump's inauguration as President -- approximately four million people took to the streets across the United States to participate in the Women's March. This sign was carried at the Washington, D.C., protest. It repurposes Shephard Fairey's "We the People" poster that was printed in the Washington Post the day before the event.
- Collage, Detroit Skyline and the Bob-Lo Boat, 1960-1975 - Collages are a type of improvised design, remixing basic materials to create something new. In the 1970s, a child made this collage by organizing squares of construction paper into the shape of the downtown Detroit skyline. The Bob-lo boat, which once ferried passengers to a now-defunct amusement park, is featured here too.
- 1960-1975
- Collections - Artifact
Collage, Detroit Skyline and the Bob-Lo Boat, 1960-1975
Collages are a type of improvised design, remixing basic materials to create something new. In the 1970s, a child made this collage by organizing squares of construction paper into the shape of the downtown Detroit skyline. The Bob-lo boat, which once ferried passengers to a now-defunct amusement park, is featured here too.
- Carpet Bag, 1870-1890 - Travelers used valises or other types of lighter bags in the 19th century to access objects that they needed frequently. This is a bag made of remnants of wool "ingrain" carpet, a woven, reversible carpet common in middle class American homes of the 19th century.
- 1870-1890
- Collections - Artifact
Carpet Bag, 1870-1890
Travelers used valises or other types of lighter bags in the 19th century to access objects that they needed frequently. This is a bag made of remnants of wool "ingrain" carpet, a woven, reversible carpet common in middle class American homes of the 19th century.