March 28, 2024

Early Farm Equipment

As you see the farmers out in the fields harvesting the crops, you marvel at the advancements in farming. Just 100 years ago the task was performed by hand and then with the help of horses, mules and oxen. What you see one farmer accomplish in one day once required many days with many men, women and children working from sunup to sundown. The early equipment, including handmade wooden rakes, pitchforks and scythes from the Jacob Dienstberger collection are on display at the Delphos Canal Commission.  You will also find early hay rakes with cutters that could be attached to an animal-powered and possibly hand-made contraption to make the job a little less labor intensive. The hay sling on display (pictured hanging from the ceiling) ingeniously and inexpensively cut down the time and labor needed to move the hay from the wagon to the hay mow/loft.   We have many more treasures from local farm families housed at the Delphos Canal Commission for your viewing pleasure.  The museum is open every Sunday from 1 to 3 pm and every Thursday from 9 am to noon.  Please visit soon.

Printed in the Delphos Herald October 9, 2010 by the Delphos Canal Commission.

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Comments

  1. Andrea Saarela says

    Hello ~ As a member of my local historical society, I along with others, have been doing our best to salvage what we can from a farm property before it becomes the subject of a fire dept. drill. In the barn we came across a stack of ‘things’. Well, I was pleased to learn that our novice guesses were correct…they are hay slings. It is obvious that your museum doesn’t need one, so can you give me any suggestions as to what I can do with one. I beleive there are maybe five slings, we will only need to be keeping one. I have checked with Wessler Living History Farm in York, Neb. as well as The Living History Farm in Urbandale (DesMoines), Iowa, but they also have them.

    Any help you can give me will be greatly appreciated. I thank you in advance for that help.

    Blessings ~

    Ann Saarela
    Education Committee Chairman
    Papillion Area Historical Society
    Papillion, Neb. 68046

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