Vigo County Historical Society
Historical Treasure Article

Historic Treasure of the Week - September 6, 1998
By Helen F. Mitchell
Vigo County Historical Society

Beautiful bed’s history remains mystery

If pieces of wood are placed in the hands of a person who has creative ability, the results are remarkable. For centuries, such objects have been made and we enjoy their beauty.

As our country moved west and people began making permanent homes, they also made beautiful furniture. No longer a transient group, they began to make things to furnish their homes, including chairs, tables, chests and beds. As few toys were available they began to make those, too.

Today’s historical treasure, the beautiful little wooden bed, is an example. The little bed is copied from an adult-size pattern. It has carvings and knobs on the posters. We really know very little about the history of the bed before it became part of the Vigo County Historical Museum’s collection.

The width of the bed is 15 inches, the length is 29 inches and it is 23 inches at the top center. The front has carvings in a scroll-and-leaf design. A piece of lightweight unfinished wood makes the bottom but it may have had a different bottom of slats or small rope.

The linens are certainly not as old as the bed. There is a mattress of ticking filled with shredded material, a pillow and a coverlet for a spread. The coverlet was, we think, made from a piece of a full-size one and it shows wear.

The bed is from the late 19th or early 20th century. It could have been a salesman’s sample. The bed is found in the nursery at the museum. Various dolls occupy it from time to time and seem very satisfied.

The little bed cannot tell us of its origin so we just have to imagine it. We do know, however, that it was cherished and cared for by its owners and we can enjoy it today.

The Historical Museum of the Wabash Valley, 1411 S. Sixth St., is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.