Object Record
Images
Additional Images [10]
Metadata
Accession number |
1990.060 |
Object Identification Number |
1990.060.801 |
Object Name |
Stand |
Donor |
Bedstemors, Inc. |
Description |
The sewing machine stand is made of wood covered with dark brown varnish. It is shaped like a table with two legs that consists of flat piece of wood that extend down on the proper left and right sides. Each wood plank has a large cutout with three vertical wood pieces that extend down through the center of the cutout. A horizontal metal bar extends between the center of the bottom of both legs. That bar holds the pedal, a rectangular piece of metal composed of numerous curved strips of metal that create a symmetrical pattern. The proper left back corner of the pedal is attached to a metal bar that is attached to the center of a circular metal wheel adhered to the inner side of the proper left leg. The rim of the wheel is concave to allow a belt to be fitted on. A thin plank of wood connects the two legs along the back of the stand. At the top of both exterior sides of the stand are two compartments that run the entire width of the stand. Both have lids that slant downward and are hinged along the top edge. There is a thin tray in the proper left compart. The front piece of the stand has a faceted inner edge and a raised, carved design on three petals in the shape of a right triangle - one in each top corner and two in the center. The top of the stand has a faceted edge and a cutout to allow a sewing machine to attach to it. A shelf that is the same size as the top of the stand is hinged along the proper right edge of the top. |
Dimensions |
H-29.75 W-15.25 L-46.25 inches |
Owned By |
Jessen, Pete |
Material |
wood/metal |
Associated People |
Jessen, Pete Kraatz, Virginia |
Search Terms |
stand sewing machine sewing machine stand Jessen, Pete Kraatz, Virginia |
Provenance |
The sewing machine stand was donated by the family of Pete Jessen. A note in the 1990 inventory states that it "has the name Virginia Kraatz". It was one of the furnishings provided to Bedstemors House during its restoration in the 1980s. HOUSE HISTORY Bedstemors Hus, or Grandmother's House, was built in 1908 by Jens Otto Christiansen, a Danish immigrant and Elk Horn businessman. He was often referred to as "Prince Otto" because he wore a coat with tails and a tall hat when going to church, and he walked very straight. According to local stories, he built the house as an engagement gift for a young woman who sadly turned down his marriage proposal. It is unknown if Christiansen ever lived in the home himself, but he rented the home to several families until he sold it to the Salem Old People's Home in 1933 for "one dollar and other valuable contributions." In 1946, the house was sold to Meta Mortensen, also of Danish descent. She lived in the home for 36 years, making only a few notable changes. The roses that she planted along all four sides of the house still bloom. In 1982, Meta sold the house to the Elk Horn-Kimballton Arts and Recreation Council for $8800. The Council and many area volunteers spent a year restoring the home to reflect the turn of the century. They named it "Bedstemor's House", using the Danish word for "Grandmother", in honor of Meta Mortensen who was herself a Danish-American grandmother. The House opened to the public in July of 1983, and a formal dedication was held October 1. Meta Mortensen was the guest of honor. It was after 1983 that the front porch was reconstructed and the exterior of the home was repainted from the white that Meta had had to the original two-tone green. The only modern room was just off the kitchen. Formerly Meta's bedroom, the room became the office for staff and has remained as such. The Council operated the house for seven years until it was donated to the Museum in 1990. Minutes from the Board of Directors meeting in February that year show that the donation was accepted for the Museum. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 16, 1997. The Museum continues to operate Bedstemor's House as an historic house museum, interpreting the home in its first decade. The home is located at 2105 College Street in Elk Horn on its original foundation. On June 25, 2008, the Museum held a dedication for the new tombstone for Jens Otto Christiansen who had not had a formal stone until then. It marked the centennial of the house. The ceremony was held at the Elk Horn Cemetery and a reception at Bedstemors House followed. |
Images |
177\1990060801.JPG |
Date Received by Museum |
1990 |