Plow

 

1837 - 1850

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When early settlers arrived in this region, they were greeted by vast expanses of tall grasses reaching up to six feet high. To transform this wild prairie into arable land, they relied on plows like this one, designed to break the tough sod and prepare the ground for crops. Pulled by oxen or strong horses, this heavy plow was essential for the advancement of civilization, symbolizing the shift from wilderness to farmland.

 

Above, you'll find a 'grain cradler scythe,' a tool utilized in a swinging motion to cut and winrow grain. Mastery of this scythe was highly valued; men skilled in its use often earned higher wages due to the efficiency and precision they brought to the harvest.