Sadiron, 1830-1880

Made by W. H. Howell Co., Geneva, IL
Cast iron

Irons were usually sold in sets of two or more because while one iron was used the other was left to heat on the stove. They often weighed as much as ten pounds, thus the name "sad," an old term meaning heavy. Each time an iron was heated, it was tested to be sure it wouldn't scorch the clothes. The change from hearth to cookstove made the daunting task of ironing easier because women no longer had to worry about ashes and soot collecting on the iron and being transfered to the clothes.

Gift of Kent Smith and Mary St. Clair, Springfield, IL (1987.5)

Other | metal

© Illinois State Museum 31-Dec-96