We took off Tuesday morning for three days of R and R. First stop Clifton Texas ( photo / image / picture from toni's Garden ) and the museum with a collection of furnishings from early Norwegians There wasn't much information about some of the items. ( photo / image / picture from toni's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from toni's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from toni's Garden ) The first Norwegian settlers in Bosque County Texas ( photo / image / picture from toni's Garden ) Desk of Jacob Olsen, handmade by him, the books were all his too. ( photo / image / picture from toni's Garden ) Mangles, used for pressing wrinkles out of linen cloth. The info also said that bachelors would carve the intricate designs and put them on the front porch of the young lady they wanted to propose to. If she accepted the proposal she would take it inside, if not then she left it hanging on the porch. ( photo / image / picture from toni's Garden ) Wonderful old Loom, Spinning Wheel with the Distaff for spinning Flax, a woven wall hanging and the yarn Swift in the far background. ( photo / image / picture from toni's Garden ) A history of one of the families. ( photo / image / picture from toni's Garden ) This big fellow would have come home with me but even on sale he was more than I could afford. A face only his mother could love ( photo / image / picture from toni's Garden )
I don't know that a "mangle..." would make much of an impression on me... Kind of like getting a vacuum cleaner for your anniversary.... yuck. One would look nice hanging outside though. Have a fun trip Toni!!!
Glad you had a good time, Toni. those painted chests are beautiful. Those Norwegians sure were artistic.
Have a great trip...and thanks much for the piccies. I found them interesting. And Texas...what a strange place for a Norwegian community.
I would have loved to have wandered around that museum with you as it seems just my kind of place. So glad you enjoyed your break Toni. :-D
Wow! I didn't even know there was a Norwegian capitol of Texas. I love the photos you've posted, Toni. The clothes chests are very typical, as are the mangles. I think the mangle-tradition went out of use in the early 1800s. I find it cute that chaps spent hours carving and beautifying a useful household implement to give their beloved. They were down-to-earth people I guess. And probably short of cash.
