March 2012
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Bog Shoes
Early 20th Century
11”
Currently on Display: Yes
Acc #: 90.49.160
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Bog shoes were worn by horses in the Ozarks on muddy days, usually on dirt roads and in low lying fields. They were worn over regular horseshoes, either clamped around the horseshoe as in this example or strapped on with leather. The wooden base was supported with iron straps to prevent breakage and provide traction. Other bog shoes often had a hole underneath the hoof to allow airflow and distribute weight to the outer edges, functioning much like a snowshoe for a human.
In other areas of the United States, particularly in New England, bog shoes were a common sight in marshes where hay was produced. Farmers would strap them onto their horses before gathering hay by the wagonload.
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February 2012
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Spinning Wheel
c. 1800
3’ 5” diameter
Currently on Display: Yes
Acc #: 00.330
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Women in the Ozarks had a busy life before the industrial revolution. Making clothing for their families was a multi-step process. For garments made of wool, this began with shearing the sheep. Then the wool must be washed to remove debris and carded to align the fibers. Before weaving could begin, the fibers still had to be spun into a continuous thread.
This spinning wheel exhibits a design common in early 19th century America. The legs are ornately crafted, yet the mechanisms remain relatively simple. Large wheels such as this are known as walking wheels because they require the spinner to walk back and forth throughout the process – backing away to spin the fibers and returning forward to wind the newly spun thread onto the spindle. More complex wheels often include a foot pedal for easy operation. In this version, however, the right hand must be used to generate momentum.
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December 2011
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Andy Williams' Sweater and Boots
Currently on Display: Yes
Acc #: 92.160.1-2
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This sweater was worn by Andy Williams during his Christmas show at the Moon River Theatre in Branson, Missouri. The Christmas tree design is equipped with a small set of lights which caused the star to glow. The boots were worn and autographed by Williams.
Branson has more theatre seats than Broadway. The Moon River Theatre alone has over 2,000. Its current Andy Williams Christmas Show is two hours long and includes guest stars such as the Lennon Sisters, who have been performing with Williams for years.
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November 2011
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Mounted Turkey
Daisy Chapman
1975
23 1/2 lbs.
Currently on Display: Yes
Accn#: 76.780
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This male turkey, known as a Gobbler, was shot by Daisy Chapman of Springfield, Missouri, in 1975. It weighed 23 ½ pounds.
Missouri has a sizeable wild turkey population in every county due to modern conservation practices. However, the history of the turkey in our state was not always so bright. In 1950, the Missouri turkey population was at a record low of approximately 3,000 birds. This low number was due not only to overhunting, but also to the destruction of the turkey’s natural habitat. In 1952, the Missouri Department of Conservation bought the Peck Ranch Wildlife Area, a 23,000 acre expanse where the turkey population could be protected. Within two years, the local turkey population increased by over 300 percent. Now Missouri has contributed to restoration programs in other states by swapping Missouri wild turkeys for other wildlife species such as otters, pheasants, and a variety of fishes.
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October 2011
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Bat boy uniform
Currently on Display: Yes
Accn#: 97.30.35A-C
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This uniform belonged to Si Siman, a music publisher, whose music gallery is featured in the Ralph Foster Museum. As a boy in the 1930s, Mr. Siman was a bat boy for the Springfield Cardinals, which was a farm team for the St. Louis Cardinals. On the back of the uniform is Art Reinhart’s autograph. Reinhart pitched for the Cardinals in the 1920s. Go Cardinals!!
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September 2011
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Bell
Rumsey Manufacturing Co.
1883
Cast Metal
Currently on Display: Yes
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While walking the well-swept sidewalks of College of the Ozarks, the chiming of bells is often heard. Echoes of ringing metal drift through the air every quarter hour, mingling with memories of an earlier time, a time when bells still chimed.
This bell belonged to the School of the Ozarks when classes began in 1907. The school originally consisted of a single structure, Mitchell Hall, designed by board member Kerr Murray Mitchell. The first eighth-grade class learned, lived, and worked in this four-story schoolhouse until their graduation the next year. Mitchell Hall lasted until 1915 when a fire occurred. The school was then moved from Forsyth, Missouri, to a nearby location on the former Maine Club Farm. In 1965, the school adopted a four-year college curriculum, and in 1990, its name was changed to College of the Ozarks.
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August 2011
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Late 1800s school desk
Currently on Display: Yes
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You can see this cast iron and wooden desk along with many others by visiting the Star School. Manufactured by the Grand Rapids School Furniture company, in Michigan, founded in 1886.The Star School (founded in 1863) consists of one room where many different grade levels were taught by one teacher. After seventy three years, in 1936, the Star School saw its last scholars. The Star School was moved from Barry County Missouri, to the College of the Ozarks in 1972. It became an artifact of the Ralph Foster Museum in 1984.
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July 2011
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Carved Elephant Tusk, Oriental
From the Ralph Foster Collection
Currently on Display: Yes
ACC #: 00.809
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Before plastics were invented in the late 19th century, ivory was the source for such items as buttons, hair combs, jewelry, furniture inlay, billiard balls and veneer for piano keys.
By the 1970s when the environmental movement swept the Western world, the consequences of this carnage were obvious. In 1989, a world-wide ban on elephant ivory trade was instituted as part of CITES (Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species). This treaty has had diverse, generally positive results, with elephant populations rebounding to a degree, and interest in still-legal forms of ivory. Currently, small parcels of CITES approved ivory from elephants dying of natural causes or captured goods from smugglers are legally sold to finance conservation efforts.
Fun Fact: Do you know how to tell an African elephant from an Asian elephant?
Here’s one of the many ways: African elephant’s ears are bigger and shaped like Africa (go figure) whereas Asian elephant’s ears are smaller and shaped like India.
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June 2011
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A stripped down upright piano, used to play Ragtime Music.
Donated by Gary Ellison
Currently on Display
ACC #: 84.8.1
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When Ellison was a junior in high school, he was the caller for a group of young square dancers called the “Wagon Wheelers,” his first exposure to television. Ellison was fortunate enough to meet a man named Bob Darch on that show. Bob Darch was responsible for much of the research done on the development of ragtime music and bringing back the then-forgotten Scott Joplin. Darch was a guest on the next to last “Ozark Jubilee” show and Ellison was captivated by Darch’s playing of “Maple Leaf Rag.” Ellison and Darch became friends and Darch began to coach Ellison on playing ragtime. Gary Ellison has entertained troops in Vietnam and Korea, he is, as resolved by the State Senate in 1973, Missouri’s official ragtime pianist; and he is a familiar face and voice on the Springfield local radio and television.
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May 2011
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The Bengal Tiger
Currently on Display
ACC #: 78.445
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The primary home of the Bengal tiger is the Sandarban regions of India and Bangladesh, but they are also found in central and northern India, as well as Nepal and Burma.
The male Bengal tiger can reach ten feet in length and weighs up to 575 pounds. The Bengal tiger has a shoulder width of up to three feet. It is very fast but only for short distances, and as a species is nocturnal.
In the year of 1900, there were as many as 50,000 Bengal tigers in India. By the year 1972, there were only 1,800 Bengal tigers left. Through modern protection and conservation, the number of tigers living in the wild has been brought up to 4,000.
When a Bengal tiger roars, you can hear it almost two miles away! They also purr like house cats when they feel good or when they feel pain. Also, like house cats, Bengal tigers have roughly the same lifespan, living from 13-15 years in the wild and up to 18 years in captivity.
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April 2011
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1943 Ford GPW “Jeep”
Currently Displayed: Yes
at The Keeter Center
ACC #: 2011.3.1
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Perhaps one of the lasting symbols of the American military in World War II is that of the Jeep. The Jeep was the product of American industrial ingenuity, in that it was a rugged, utilitarian, vehicle that was easily mass produced. On July 11, 1940, the Army formalized its requirements for a light weight, cross country, utility vehicle, coming mere days after France fell to the mechanized blitzkrieg of the German army. Automakers were given only eleven days to submit bids and forty-nine days to have prototypes ready. Only three automakers responded; American Bantam Car Company, Ford Motor Company and Willys-Overland Motors. Bantam was the only one to have a prototype ready within forty-nine days, but since Bantam lacked the production capabilities of the other two, the War Department gave them more time. By November, the other two were ready and their designs resembled each other’s greatly as the War Department had allowed them to see Bantam’s blueprints. In July, 1941, the War Department awarded the contract to Willys to build 16,000 jeeps. The jeeps were called MB’s by Willys for military model B, as the design that they had submitted had been “tweaked” by adding features from the other two companies. In October, 1941, the War Department realized that Willys could not keep up with demand and Ford was contracted to build them as well. Ford called their version the GPW for Government, Passenger car, Willys design. In the end Bantam made 2,675 vehicles; Willys made 362,841, and Ford made 281,448.
This particular jeep was restored by Steven McBride in honor of his father, a World War II veteran.
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March 2011
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Roman Oil Lamp
Donated by Mr. H. Maurice Robinett
Approx. 3 in. x 5 in.
Currently Displayed: Yes
ACC #: 80.4.2
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This oil lamp is made from terra-cotta and was used as a domestic lamp around the 1st Century A.D. While candles were cheaper, most did not survive to this day and so the oil lamp is more well-known. Olive oil or vegetable oil was used to fuel the lamp. There was one opening to allow it to be a one flame lamp.
The Lamp given to Brigadier Gen. Paul M. Robinett by M. Pagnon, a controleur civil or the chief local French official, in Maktur, Tunisia.
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February 2011
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Apollo 11 Plaque
Donated by Ralph Foster
Currently Displayed: Yes
ACC #: 82.011
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July 1969, marked a milestone in the history of mankind as for the first time a person from Earth set foot on another world. American astronaut Neil Armstrong will forever be remembered as the first to set foot on the moon, when he uttered the phrase, “One small step for man. One giant leap for mankind”, heard by millions around the globe who watched it live on television. When Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin left the moon to return to Michael Collins in the command module which was orbiting the moon they left the lower half of the lunar lander behind. On this was mounted a plaque which reads:
“Here men from the planet Earth first set foot upon the moon. July 1969, A.D.
We came in peace for all mankind.”
This is a reproduction of the original plaque on the moon.
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January 2011
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B-J Circus
Built and Donated by Bobbie and John McCartney
2.5 ft. X 8.5 ft.
Currently Displayed: Yes
ACC #: 80.91
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Built by a couple in their home, this circus was not modeled after any particular circus but rather as a compilation of features from many different circuses. If put into full scale the size of this circus would be 120 x 408 ft.
This circus includes having the famous clown Emmett Kelly, complete with head of cabbage, from the Barnum & Bailey circus, to having the Wallenda family, who walked tight-ropes without a net, from the Barnum & Bailey and the Shriner’s circus. There are lions, tigers, hippos, llamas, and many other different animals. There are different performers including the world’s tallest man, a sword eater, and a strong man.
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December 2010
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Colt Frontier Six-Shooter .44-40
1880
Currently Displayed: Yes
ACC #: 78.294
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This Colt Single Action Frontier Model, also known as the Colt Peacemaker or Six Shooter, has been identified as an 1880 model from its serial number 59XXX. The gun lacks several distinguishing features, originally making its identification difficult. Due to polishing and/or weathering the caliber number is missing from the side, as is the single line address on the top of the 7 ½ inch barrel. It should read: “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A” but now only says: “ORD CT” near the base of the barrel. “.44 CF” is engraved on the left of the trigger guard indicating a center fire pin. Three patent numbers are listed on the left side: September 19, 1871, July 2, 1872 and January 19, 1875.
The gun’s origin is shrouded in myth leading to its popularity with visitors and frequent inquiries. The engraved inscription on the pistol’s back strap reads: “Morgan Earp Deputy Marshal Tombstone Arizona T.” On the butt of the gun the year 1881 is inscribed. Aside from these inscriptions the Ralph Foster Museum lacks any evidence to prove that the gun ever belonged to Earp, and therefore does not affirm the myth’s authenticity.
Updated January 2011: According to legend a stain on this gun’s hand grip was from the blood of Morgan Earp, who bled upon it when he was killed in 1882. However, scientific testing of the stain has shown that it is not blood, is just discoloration.
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November 2010
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"Caveman" Carpenter Woodcarving
1938
Currently Displayed: Yes
ACC #: 90.43.307
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This Carpentry scene is one of four dioramas of working men in the Museum's collection; it sits on display beside a Grocer, a Butcher, and a Blacksmith. These dioramas are intricately carved- the workshop's tiny chisels rest delicately in their stands, and the artist's attention to detail did not neglect the scraps of wood beneath the workman's bench or the label on the bottle of the shelved grind stone oil.
Each of the diorama pieces are stamped on the bottom with: "Made by THE CAVEMAN Branson Missouri 1938." The diorama pieces were added to the museum's collection in the 1970s by a former Museum director. They sold in downtown Branson for $5.00 each along with other Caveman pieces including several carved crucifixes in glass bottles. While the "Caveman's" identity still remains unknown, the mystery of his skill continues to inspire the viewers' imaginations.
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October 2010
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Maria Martinez Pot
1943-1954
Currently Displayed: Yes
ACC #: 75.752.4
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Maria Martinez was a Native American born in a small pueblo near Santa Fe, New Mexico in 1887. She learned the art of making pottery at an early age by watching her aunt, and her skill continues to draw tourists and art enthusiasts to San Ildefonso Pueblo even today. After experimenting for a decade by copying ancient black-on-black pottery, she perfected methods of painting and firing the New Mexican red clay until it became jet black. The pottery, which varied in shape and size, incorporated traditional San Ildefonso design elements including the feather and the plumed serpent. Her black ware pottery remains a national interest for their rich designs, smooth black exterior, and flawless imitation of ancient Pueblo pottery. This pot is signed on the bottom “Marie + Santana,” evidencing its creation by Maria and her daughter-in-law between 1943 and 1954.
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September 2010
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50 Reichsmark note
1939
Currently Displayed: Yes
Acc # 68.019.354
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This 50 Reichsmark note was one in the series of official Reichsbank notes used in Germany beginning in August, 1924 until June, 1948. Several printings were done of the banknote series between these years, and eventually included the denominations: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 1000. The Reichsmark replaced the Rentenmark that was introduced in 1923 to slow the rate of inflation that occurred following the end of World War I. The Rentenmark itself was a temporary replacement for the German Papiermark that began its use in 1914.
The 50, or “fünfzig,” Reichsmark displays the image of a German woman on the front and a view of the Malbork Castle on the back. The castle, which dates to the 13th Century Teutonic Order, was named Marienburg after the Virgin Mary, who was Patron Saint of the Order. Also on the front of the note is the National Emblem used by the Nazi Government which features an Eagle, the traditional symbol of the German Empire, holding a swastika within an oak wreath.
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August 2010
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Rotary Dial Desk Phone
Western Electric Co.
1941
metal
Currently Displayed: No
Acc # 93.41.5
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The Western Electric Manufacturing Company was originally known as Gray and Barton before relocating from Cleveland to Chicago. In 1877, it entered the telephone industry, and in 1882, became the telephone manufacturer for the Bell System.
This Western Electric phone is similar to the 202 model made from 1930 to 1937, except that it was made several years later and uses an F1 handset instead of an E1 or D handset. The D1 mount is the same, however, with the standard oval shaped base.
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July 2010
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Campaign Hat
United States Signal Corps
World War I
Currently Displayed: No
Acc # 78.719.5C
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This hat was worn as part of a United States Signal Corps uniform for eight years during the World War I era. The Signal Corps was formed during the Civil War to provide for the rapid transmission of messages. It was a very diversified branch. Early military aircraft belonged to the Signal Corps until World War II. Enlisted men of the Signal Corps wore orange and white hat cords with acorn shaped ends.
The Campaign hat was introduced in 1872 to protect the wearer from sun, wind, and rain. In 1911 the Montana peak with its four indentations replaced the old version with a simple crease in the crown. Campaign hats were used by troops with various field uniforms until World War II. In the 1960s they began to be used by drill sergeants.
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June 2010
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Blanket
Navajo Culture
75" x 50"
Currently Displayed: Yes
Acc # 76.897.3
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The Navajo are an Athapascan-speaking people who migrated to the Southwest from the Northwest Coast region. They occupy the largest Indian reservation in the United States, in Northeast Arizona and Northwest New Mexico. Traditional Navajo weaving was largely influenced by the Pueblo Indians, from whom Navajo women may have learned the ancient craft. Later, it was also influenced through the introduction of domesticated sheep by the Spanish. Now it is often designed to appeal to modern collectors and tourists, although many artists choose to continue creating traditional designs.
This blanket, believed to be Navajo in origin, displays several of the principal designs. A square inside of another square is known as a dakha nahalinigi bealqiaza. A diamond within a diamond is called a beeditli nahalinigi bealqiaza, or slingshot-like figures within each other. Yistlin are small dots or freckles. A succession of small figures such as the pattern bordering the large central diamond is known as an Alqihadot’ezh. Delzha are battlement-like elevations.
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May 2010
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Pre-Revival Lap Dulcimer
John Mawhee
1916
Cherry and apple wood
Currently Displayed: Yes
Acc # 91.121.A
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The lap dulcimer, otherwise known as the Appalachian or mountain dulcimer, is actually a plucked zither rather than a true dulcimer. The strings are plucked with one hand while using either a stick, a quill, or the other hand to stop the strings.
John Mawhee made hand carved dulcimers, such as this one, as a hobby and gave them to friends. He referred to his dulcimers as “Indian walking canes” in honor of his Cherokee heritage and because of the instrument’s long, narrow shape. It is believed by music historian Gordon McCann that John Mawhee was one of the first to bring the lap dulcimer to the Ozarks region. As well as being an accomplished fiddle maker and player, Mawhee was also a private in the Third Regiment of the Indian Home Guard in Kansas. He spent his long evenings in camp making “walking canes” and entertaining his buddies, singing the old songs of home and family.
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April 2010
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Colt Holster Model Paterson Revolver No. 5
c. 1838-40
36 caliber, 9” barrel
serial # 405
Currently Displayed: No
Acc # 2000.4.60
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This percussion revolver, also known as the “Texas Paterson,” was the largest size of handgun produced at the Paterson factory. An estimated total of 1,000 Texas Model handguns were manufactured. It housed a folding trigger, often necessary if the wielder was wearing gloves. This revolver features a varnished walnut grip, an octagonal barrel, and a five-shot cylinder displaying a stagecoach holdup scene.
The five-shot Paterson revolver became synonymous with the Texas Rangers in 1844 after the battle of Walker Creek, near San Antonio. Eighty Comanches, who had previously used a strategy of drawing the fire of single-shot firearms, were overpowered by Captain Jack Hays and his fifteen Texas Rangers. They had obtained the revolvers from the decommissioned Republic of Texas Navy.
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March 2010
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Large Shallow Bowl Basket
Apache culture
20th century
Willow or Cottonwood,
45 x 45 x 10 cm
Currently Displayed: No
Acc # 2006.6.3
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The Apache are a large and diverse culture inhabiting much of the American Southwest. Their basketry design reflects many different styles, but they all retain a common solidity and strength.
The solid circle decoration in the center of this basket suggests that it might be Pima, but the symmetrically flat, round shape of the basket – and the fact that the Apache often borrowed ideas from their Pima neighbors – suggests more strongly that this basket is Apache. The Apache commonly made very wide, shallow baskets known as tsah (shallow tray) to shell seeds. Also supporting that this basket is Apache is its use of different natural tones of brown, which are derived from the use of different tones of wood, such as willow and cottonwood. The careful coiling of this basket and the geometric pattern, which covers the entire basket, are also Apache.
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February 2010
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Water Bowl
Zuni culture, American Southwest
Late 19th century
Ceramic, 8” x 8” x 5”
Currently Displayed: No
Acc # 76.681.3
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The bird on this ceramic bowl is known as the rain bird, the thunder bird, or the water bird, all of whom are believed to provide the Zuni with water. Because of this design, the bowl is identifiable as a water bowl. Other symbols on the bowl also suggest water, including the triangle designs, which are symbols for clouds. The stepped, double-triangle design symbolizes lightning, the double cloud, and the prayer for a cloudy day.
The Zuni people are unique in that their language does not fit into any grouping or classification. They are believed to be descendants of the Anasazi, and their pueblo was one of the legendary Seven Cities of Cibola searched for by Coronado. The Zuni people still reside in ancestral lands on their reservation in western New Mexico.
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©2001-2012
Ralph Foster Museum at College of the Ozarks®
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