Fort Mandan State Historic Site is temporarily closed for maintenance until further notice.
The State Historical Society of North Dakota is assessing and evaluating the museum collection to identify items that do not meet our mission. The museum collections committee evaluated items based on their historical value, uniqueness, and usefulness. As a result, we have a few things for which we need to find new homes. Our first responsibility is to find a home for these objects with other educational institutions. These objects are not available for the general public or private collections.
There will be no long holds for these objects. You are responsible for picking up any items you are interested in obtaining for your institution. Pickups will be at the SHSND Offsite Storage Facility in Bismarck from May 6 to May 10.
Please contact Administrative Assistant Kiri Stone at kstone@nd.gov to reserve your desired object and arrange a pick up time.
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Hame = 24" long, 2" wide, iron loop on each end, strap iron around edge for brace, loop in center w/short tup strap, iron hook in end of tug strap. Collar, leather bound canvas cover all that remains.
Provenance/History: Gift from Alfred Mitchell (04-07-1859 - 03-27-1946) of Penn, ND in 11/25/1936. "Used in pioneer days in North Dakota" - from original description
Condition: Wood is dry and discolored, metal is corroded and rusty. Leather is dry and stiff.
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Large blacksmith bellows with painted black leather and painted orange wood sides. Metal ring surrounding front funnel. Wood slats run along the sides to hold out the leather.
Date: 1880-1919
Provenance/History: Gift from Frayne Baker of Bismarck, ND. From I.P. Baker Boats.
Condition: Dusty. Leather is cracked all over, and torn near the spout. Some wood slats have broken and were later painted over. Leather has pulled away from the nails and staple fasteners near the spout. Metal handle is tarnished. Wood sides are dented throughout. Wear through the paint of the protruding wood beams and the edges.
Dimensions: [H]33" x [W]7" x [L]62"
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Double bed, with springs and mattress. Bottom left of front of headboard: "Sligh Furniture Co. established 1880 Grand Rapids;" in center of same piece: 2230. On back of end board at right on leg: '221.' Five crosspieces: 54 x 2 1/2 x 3/4"; two sideboards: 74 x 2 x 7 inches.
Date: 1880-1900
Provenance/History: Gift from Estate of Helen W. Jackson (3/22/1892 - 12-02-1971) of Bismarck, ND in 4/25/1972. Made By Sligh Furniture Co.
"Helen Jackson Collection. Gift // of Isabelle E. Fisk. Acquired 4.25.72"
Condition: Chips in wood of décor on footboard, especially around the finials. 1/3 of the bottom cloth over is loose, most of the safety pins still extant on long edge, but no longer attached to the sheet. Small tears and pulls throughout cloth cover, corners are worn or entirely worn and torn through, revealing the metal springs. Cloth is dirty and yellowed.
Dimensions: Headboard: 57 x 55 x 2 inches; end board: 57 x 32x 2 inches; mattress; 73 x 52 x 6 inches; spring; 73 x 52 x 8 inches.
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FLOUR BIN, SIFTER, METAL W/ WOOD BOTTOM
Cylindrical flour bin with seven indented rings around circumference; sifter; all metal; cover is missing; with sifter and screen in bottom has been painted; a trap door near bottom; sifter has four prongs with a crank emerging from the side. Crank has a wood handle. Was painted white, most paint has flaked off. SHERMAN, CHICAGO, ILL., OCT. 29, 1889; wooden bottom.
Provenance/History: Purchased from Carl Smith (7/9/1903 - 06-19-1969) of Devils Lake, ND in 1/2/1969.
Condition: Paint has heavily flaked off, is very delicate and sheds at light touch. Metal is dented, scratched, abraded. Most heavily dented on the side with the crank emerging. The more iron-comprised metal components are rusted, as are spots throughout the cylindrical bin. Interior is rusty.
Dimensions: [H]32.5" x [W]15" x [L]15"
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BELLOWS,LARGE,WOOD,LEA, & METAL. Large blacksmith bellows with leather and flat wood sides . Metal ring at the end, and a metal funnel/spout. Wood slats run along the sides to hold out the leather.
Date: 1900-1929
Provenance/History: Purchased from Carl Smith (7/9/1903 - 06-19-1969) of Devils Lake, ND in 1/2/1969. From the Phillip Kjelbertson farm, northeast of Devils Lake in South Minnewaukan township, ND.
Condition: Spout is waterstained, corroded and dented at its the opening. Leather has some cracks. Some wood slats on the sides are cracked. Metal portions are corroded. Reinforcement slats on the wood sides are cracked. Protruding wood pieces show general wear.
Dimensions: [H]38" x [W]11.5" x [L]69.5
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Organ stool - Dark wood, four turned legs w/ball and claw bases; circular seat elevated by threaded center post.
Provenance/History: Purchased from Carl Smith (7/9/1903 - 06-19-1969) of Devils Lake, ND in 1/2/1969. Purchased from Jake Valler's Second Hand Store in New Rockford, ND.
Condition: Scrapes on top edge of seat, scratches, dings, abrasions, and chips throughout wood object. Finish is crazing and worn. Crack in the panel beneath seat, above one of the legs.
Dimensions: [H]19.25" x [W]14.5"
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Bookshelf. Light wood, shelves, top back rail has mirror, surrounded by decorative applique. Back has note nailed to it reading "C.R.V. Draper / Mandan / [illegible] N.D." Existing shelves and hardware.
Provenance/History: Found in collections at SHSND during inventory in 2019. No donor, no history. Appears to be old surplus SHSND furniture.
Condition: Light general wear, scratches on sides.
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Trunk containing Barker light cords, parts, etc. Tag reads "No #"
Provenance/History: Found in collections at SHSND during inventory in 2020. No donor, no history.
Condition: Trunk itself is quite worn, some of the wood slats are caving in on the top. Electric components inside in fair condition.
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Bookcase. Glass front doors, glass sides. Glass on one side broken and missing. Baggie of related materials inside.
Provenance/History: Found in collections at SHSND during inventory in 2019. No donor, no history. Appears to be old surplus SHSND furniture.
Condition: General wear, dusty, chips and dents in wood. One glass pane is broken.
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Wicker chair with pink and red striped cushions, wicker elements painted discolored white.
Provenance/History: Found in SHSND collection during inventory in 2019. Potentially made by patients at the State Hospital in Jamestown; they are very similar to other wicker furniture in the collection from that institution. No donor, no other history.
Condition: Wear and discoloration to cushions, chips and wear in paint, especially on the legs.
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Wicker chair with pink and red striped cushions, wicker elements painted green.
Provenance/History: Found in collections at SHSND during inventory in 2019. Potentially made by patients at the State Hospital in Jamestown; they are very similar to other wicker furniture in the collection from that institution. No donor, no other history.
Condition: Seat is torn, with stuffing emerging. Additional wear to cushions, chips, wear and discoloration in paint, especially on the legs.
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Wooden dining chair, 5 spindles in back, wingback top.
Provenance/History: Found in collections at SHSND during inventory in 2019. No donor, no history.
Condition: General wear, chips, abrasions to wood.
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Small motor. "Sunlight Electric Motors"
Provenance/History: Found in collections at SHSND during inventory in 2019. No donor, no history.
Condition: Light wear, dusty.
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Whistle from a locomotive. "L4456"
Provenance/History: Found in collections at SHSND during inventory in 2019. No donor, no history.
Condition: General wear, light oxidation.
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Four oak table leaves. No associated table.
Provenance/History: Found in collections at SHSND during inventory in 2019. No donor, no history.
Condition: Light wear, some separation between wood section on leaves.
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JENNY LIND HALF BED. Wood bedframe with turned spindle headboard and footboard. Smaller-than-twin-sized mattress with green, geometric, textured upholstery with piping around edges.
Provenance/History: : Purchased from Carl Smith (7/9/1903 - 06-19-1969) of Devils Lake, ND in 1/2/1969.
Condition: Scrapes on top edge of seat, scratches, dings, abrasions, and chips throughout wood object. Finish is crazing and worn. Crack in the panel beneath seat, above one of the legs.
Dimensions: [W]24" x [L]75.25"
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GRAIN CRADLE-SYTHE, curved handle, metal supports run to the five wooden teeth of the cradle, painted red.
Provenance/History: Gift of unknown donor in unknown year. Accessioned into collection in 1987.
Condition: Paint is largely worn away on teeth, crack in handle above the protruding handle. Metal components are oxidized.
Dimensions: [H]53.375" x [W]25" x [L]52.5"
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Rectangular wooden post as split from oak logs. Three oblong holes for three rails. Entirety of the post has been treated (possibly with creosote) to prevent it from quickly decaying while buried, especially on the bottom quarter.
Provenance/History: Acquired from the Estate of Elmer E. Barry from Pembina, ND.
Condition: Wood is dry and desiccated, chipping and heavily cracked. Was treated to prevent rotting while in the dirt, causing it to be dark and discolored throughout. Remains of soil and treatment oil caked on bottom end, as well as cobwebs and general debris.
Dimensions: [H]54" x [W]3.75" x [L]6.5"
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