Refrigerator

Object Name: Refrigerator

Object ID: 1996.024

Creator: Blaisdell & Burley

Place of Origin: Sanbornton, NH

Date: 1876 circa

Description: Blaisdell & Burley Elevating Refrigerator. Rectangular wooden (pine) box with two hinged doors (lower door off its hinges). Upper door (to ice box) smaller and square, lower door (to food storage) rectangular. Box fully lined with sheet metal (aluminum or zinc). Removable tray in upper section. Four removable perforated shelves in lower section. Box grain painted yellow-brown. Iron corner blocks on each door. Metal (copper) maker's plaque on upper door, shield shaped, "J.M. BLAISDELL'S / -PATENT- / ELEVATING REFRIGERATOR / PATD. JULY 21. 1874. / MANF D. BY / BLAISDELL & BURLEY, / SANBORNTON, N.H." Turn and pull latch on top of box. Top painted (color unidentified). Entire box fits into wood frame. Pulley wheel on left and right sides of frame (ropes and weights missing).
A. Box. 74" high, 23" wide, 22" deep.
B. Frame. 84.75" high, 43" wide, 7" deep.

Material: Wood
Metal
Iron

Dimensions: H-85.5 W-43 D-22 inches

Provenance: Gift of Philip and Rachel Cole, Contoocook, NH. Found in barn on their property, leaning against a wall (as were several wooden water pipes in unused condition). The Coles have lived there since c.1976.

Credit Line: Gift of Philip and Rachel Coe

View Transcription