Sheds were common structures on most farms. It was where tools were housed and repairs completed.
A visitor to the shed might be invited to have a seat on an empty nail keg or asked to lend a hand if something needed to be held while worked on.
The model shed exhibited here represents a typical early- to mid-20th century farm shed prior to the rise of highly mechanized or machine powered farming, especially after WWII and the arrival of electricity from the power grid. See the history of this farm shed.
Here are some of the displays and exhibits you will find inside this farm shed:
Interior view of the farm shed from the West looking East.
Display of horse tack and other draft animal apparatus.
Rural Electrification – Pittsville was electrified in 1924. Electricity didn’t come to the countryside until after the creation of electric cooperatives after WWII. Examples of electrical insulators & other equipment used in the delivery of electricity to farms and homes are displayed, including a Delco Light Plant at the bottom, left. Learn more about the history of the electrification of Pittsville in the book Yellow River Pioneers.
Variety of crop planters, harvesters, cultivators, and other garden hand tools.
Interior view of the farm shed from the East looking West.
Farm Hand Tools – From sickle sharpener to rope maker and all the hand tools in-between, farmers were self sufficient. In the shed one could repair equipment, maintain buildings, store fire fighting gear – the tool shed had the supplies one would need on the farm. Empty nail kegs served as seats for visitors. However, not a power tool in sight!
Display of a collection of model steam tractors
Dairying & Other Farm Industries exhibit, including milking, milk testing, cheesemaking, honey production, maple syrup, egg laying and butter making production tools and equipment.
Fur Foods – This meat grinder from Pittsville Fur Foods was used to process animal parts into food for minks, which was delivered to mink farms throughout the upper Midwest. Mink pelt stretchers hang on the wall to the right. Dr. Gaylord Hartsough, world-renowned mink expert and local resident, was actively involved in the business.
Large Feed Mill Pulley – The large wooden pulley, built by Bernia Tyjeski’s granddad and Lee Schalla, once turned machinery to mill grain for animal feed. It was used in the old feed mill which was located beside the river near the intersection of County E and First Avenue in Pittsville. The smaller cast iron pulley on the floor to the right, which was attached to a motor, powered the wide belt that turned the large wooden pulley, which in turn powered the milling machinery.
