Message-Id: <4004BDEA-68A3-496E-B319-A9BB7483D40A@yahoo.com> From: Teddie Meronek <teddiem1999@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: What is the paddle object Date: Wed, 12 Jan 2022 17:13:15 -0600
I found the photo and it is a copy of the one posted yesterday by Jon Winter
. According to the information attached to my copy, it is a photograph of t
he 1896 Women's Sculling Club of Superior, Wisconsin. The man in the photo i
s Tom Christie. Mystery solved.
Sent from my iPad
> On Jan 11, 2022, at 7:49 AM, Elizabeth Terlinden <terlinden@sbcglobal.net>
wrote:
>
> In response to Brian's post, I did a search on old cooking schools and cam
e to this photo which seems to prove his point.
>
>
> http://historiccookingschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/1900-BCSchool.
jpg
>
>
> Elizabeth Terlinden
> Townn of River Falls
>
> On Monday, January 10, 2022, 07:58:12 PM CST, Brian Bigler <> On Monday, January 10, 2022, 07:58:12 PM CST, Brian Bigler <usemeum@mhtc.n
et> wrote:
>
>
> I will take a guess at the photo of the women holding the wooden "paddles"
but I have never seen an object like those they are holding before.
>
> The dress and the production of the photo seem to date it to c.1890 becaus
e of the high puffed sleeves. The hats they are wearing look like those of d
omestics. Nursing hats from the period wrapped and stood in a peek and thes
e are flat much like a servant would wear. Also known as dust caps.
> The objects they are holding are not boat oars for a women's rowing team o
f the period and are not cut down versions of such. They are also not weari
ng the more masculine attire that female rowers wore at the end of the ninet
eenth century.
> You will note that each wooden item has a bow on it telling me they are pr
esentation pieces presented for accomplishment or the successful completion o
f a course.
>
> The wooden devices look like objects used in stirring in large kettles or v
ats. They are not clothes forks used in laundry, but may very well be used i
n the production of large quantities of apple butter, or candy, and perhaps b
read making. They are not bread peels as the ends are not thin enough and t
he shape is wrong.
> So, with all of this I would surmise that this is some sort of specialized
cooking or class dedicated to processing and the man in the photo would be t
he instructor. This is most likely a photo taken on the completion of the c
lass or singular course.
> Would be interested if someone out there has the true answer as I am alway
s interested in learning more on material culture.
>
> You may also want to run this by Joe Kappler - Wisconsin State Historical S
ociety Curator
>
> Sincerely - Brian J. Bigler
>
> Exhibit Designer and Consultant - Mount Horeb
>
>> On 1/10/2022 3:59 PM, Sarah Taylor wrote:
>
> Hello Jon,
>
> A year range would be helpful. Does the photo have a date?
>
> I agree with those who’ve already posted. I’d guess the ob
jects are either boating paddles or culinary tools. It appears that the wome
n in the front row are holding paddles of a much smaller size, so I am leani
ng culinary—perhaps they are bread-baking paddles, which were common
ly used at the time, especially in commercial settings.
>
> It’s the women’s clothes I am interested in as a clue. The
y look like Navy nurses from WWI: <image0.jpeg>
>
> Perhaps the women in your photo are employed as nurses or caretakers at a m
edical institution, and the paddles are their tools for making food for resi
dents?
>
> Quite the mystery!
>
> Best,
>
> Sarah Taylor (she/her/hers)
> Collections Management Assistant
> Division of Library, Archives, and Museum Collections
>
> Wisconsin Historical Society
> 816 State Street, Madison, WI 53706
> sarah.taylor@wisconsinhistory.org
>
> Wisconsin Historical Society
> Collecting, Preserving, and Sharing Stories Since 1846
>
>> On Jan 10, 2022, at 10:41 AM, Douglas County Historical Society <>> On Jan 10, 2022, at 10:41 AM, Douglas County Historical Society <dchs@dou
glashistory.org> wrote:
>>
>>
>> What is the paddle object these young ladies are holding?
>>
>> Jon Winter
>> Douglas County Historical Society
>> 1101 John Avenue Superior WI 54880
>> Business Manager
>> 715-392-8449
>>
>> <jan22_0060.jpg>
> <image0.jpeg>