Vigo County Historical Society
Historical Treasure Article
Historic Treasure of the Week -
August 7, 1983
By Susie Dewey
Vigo County Historical Society
Babies traveled in style
Affluent urban babies were wheeled about in style in the early part of the 20th century.
The wicker baby buggy, with parasol, found in the second-floor nursery of the museum is proof that even infants were changing to a modern form of transportation in 1905.
The reed sleeping coach, as it is called in the Montgomery Ward catalog for 1905, is a great favorite with young visitors to the museum.
The museum has the 1905 Montgomery Ward Catalog that describes the buggy in great detail. The use of such perambulators was restricted to city sidewalks. The 16 and 18 inch wheels with 5/8 inch cushion tires could not have negotiated country roads or cobblestones without risking severe dislocations to the baby. No mother was strong enough to push the buggy through mud or ruts even with its all steel, nicely enameled automobile gear.
Above the fancy round reed body is a parasol (now faded) with a rod clamp. The reed body is ornamented with graceful scroll curves. The scrolls end in a high and deep dashboard decorated with medallions. The high back brought comfort to the young rider.
The entire body is highly finished and varnished. The cane seat back and dash are upholstered in chintz damask which is removable. The satin parasol had two flounced ruffles and it is also lined. The patent wheel fasteners, the rubber hub caps, and the foot brake are the only safety devices on the vehicle.
This luxury model had a list price in the catalog of $19.40. A stripped down model without upholstering or parasol could be purchased for $14.40. An in-between model was described for $18. There was a model for every pocketbook.
The wicker baby buggy was a gift to the museum from Norma Scheld.
The Historical Museum of the Wabash Valley, 1411 S. Sixth St., is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.