Photographs

Welcome to the Grundy County Museum! Photographs Stepping forward through these doors is a step back in time.  The Museum houses a large collection of letters, uniforms, weapons, toys, tools, machinery, equipment, photographs, furniture, and information about the lives of our county's leaders/citizens and their accomplishments and challenges.  The photographs will sample the displays and items you can examine and study when you visit the Museum.  Immerse yourself in the technology of our past and imagine your life into one of the "time capsule" rooms.  It was a different time...........you'll see.

Lower Level
	The Kitchen It was a time of wood stoves and kerosene oil lamps when water had to be carried into the kitchen, but the food was good.  Ask an old-timer.

The Bedroom It was a time of feather beds, chamber pots, and they let the fire go out at night.  You'd stay warm during the night, but the floor would be pretty cold in the morning..........and you wouldn't waste time getting dressed.

The Dining Room The dining room might be formal or informal, but it was where the family shared meals, stories, and plans.  Food was a measure of success.  A common statement of that generation was, "We were not rich, but we always had plenty to eat."  Sharing a meal was important and there were no interruptions by telephones, cell phones or television.

The Pump Organ Music was hand made like other things such as haircuts, clothes, and shoes.  The air pressure needed to produce the sound was generated with a foot operated bellows.  Light to illuminate the music was either by candles or Kerosene lamps.

Rock Island Caboose The caboose represents Trenton's railroad heritage as a terminal on the Rock Island Line.  If you concentrate, as you step aboard the caboose, you may hear the echo of an "All Aboard" and smell fried potatoes being prepared on the caboose stove.

Aermotor Windmill A restored functioning Aermotor farm windmill testifies to the importance of a well and a windmill to farms of the past.  We were able to replace our windmill's damaged parts directly from the Aermotor Company which continues to manufacture and sell windmills.   Our staff can demonstrate and explain the operation of a windmill, but be sure to visit on a day when the wind is blowing.

Aermotor Fan Blades and Motor A close-up view of the 8 foot blades of the Museum's 30 foot tall Aermotor Windmill.

Dugout Canoe Carbon dating documented this wooden pirogue, found in the river near Spickard MO, to be over 200 years old.   About 20 feet in length, it would have been a chore to paddle up river.

General Store Many items typically available at a country general store are displayed here.  You can also purchase souvenir items, photos, and post cards.

First Floor
	A Dress for the time While technology and life style were different, people have always dressed in style.  This is one of several display cases showcasing clothing of the period.

Styles of the Times Clothing styles, accessories, and period furniture are featured in these displays.

The Parlor The old days had their formal moments too and this old Melodian still has some good tunes in it.

Dishes and More... Fine dishes have always been treasured...........and this display case contains a collection of tableware and "pretties."

Second Floor
	Discovery Painting This oil painting is seen on the stairway landing leading to the second floor.  The Second Floor is handicap accessible via a chair lift.

Children's Toys No batteries are needed for this generation's toys.  However imagination was necessary and the worst case scenario involved a broken spring.

The Chapel The pews were not padded and neither were the sermons.  Air-conditioning was a hand fan, courtesy of a local funeral home, and if you're still hot, fan faster.  Our Chapel is furnished with items from early area churches.

Hats were "in" You weren't dressed unless your head was covered and having the "right" hat was important. An Easter Bonnet was something special.

A Dentist's Drill Cavity repair was a little different back then.  The drill was powered by a foot pedal, run by the dentist, and the seat was equipped with convenient handles so the patient could "hold on."  Although the technology has changed, the session still began with, "Say Ahh!"

Doctor's Examination Table The medical doctor's examination table was Spartan in comparison with today's office facility and equipment.

The Disappearing Ash Tray An ash tray on a floor stand was so common just a few years ago. Where did they all go?

Baker School Grundy County's school #49 was physically relocated from it's original location on the north edge of Trenton to the current location as part of the Grundy County Museum.  While the county's last rural one-room school now has air-conditioning and electricity, the curriculum remains the same, i.e., reading, writing, and arithmetic.

Teacher's Desk A scuttle of coal and a bucket of water were always ready, and so was the teacher ...........to teach any grade and any subject.  Talk about being prepared..........

Baker School Interior No Principal, no Superintendent, no federal program........so how could the schools operate?  The Teacher wore all hats and the students did just fine.

Today's Memory Lesson Have you wondered why the graduates of one-room schools are able to quote many facts, figures, and famous remarks?  Perhaps it is because learning wasn't optional and the parents backed-up the teacher.