Re-purposing finds to create a retirement gift

[invent4hir]

All, from late September to mid-October I detected at a former 1 room school house built in 1854. Among the artifacts found were 3 pieces of a school desk shown in the first photo after being cleaned up and painted. Normally I put artifacts in educational display cases and donate them to a local historical society. This time however I decided to shorten the 2 feet and mount them to a solid cherry wooden block as a gift to the historical society Director who retires on December 18th. The brass plaque honors her contributions. The wood block with the attached feet is heavy enough that it could be used either as a door stop or paperweight. If your home/garage is becoming cluttered with finds, re-purposing them like this is a way to give them a second life.

Research shows that the larger 3-toe foot on the right was manufactured by the Sidney School Furniture Company sometime between 1881 and 1901 most likely for “The Fashion” school desk. I believe the other foot was manufactured by the Champion School Desk Company. But when and for what style desk remains a mystery. When I present the wooden block to the Director, I’ll give her the option of researching those questions.

 

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[RustyGold]

Outstanding work! Looks awesome mounted on the Cherry Wood. The Director will love it!

 

[devldog]

Great idea and work on the retirement presentation gift. I'm sure this will be most appreciated and most meaningful to the retiring Director. Again a great idea on giving these old pieces of History new life.

 

[Rookster]

Great job.

 

[invent4hir]

Outstanding work! Looks awesome mounted on the Cherry Wood. The Director will love it!

RustyGold, thanks. The cherry wood not only looks great but is hefty for its size - a good choice for a door stop or paperweight.

 

[invent4hir]

Great idea and work on the retirement presentation gift. I'm sure this will be most appreciated and most meaningful to the retiring Director. Again a great idea on giving these old pieces of History new life.

devldog, appreciate the kudos.

 

[invent4hir]

Great job.

rook3434, thanks for the thumbs up

 

[A2coins]

Great job he will love it I do

 

[invent4hir]

A2coins, thanks, she will love it. I heard she'll cry at the ceremony so just in case I came up with a Mission (Im)possible skit - that might lighten the mood. Attached is what I plan to put in the envelope.

 

[RustyGold]

I got the Bond connection upon reading "Good evening Mrs. Bondi". Classy and retro. All in all, a very well thought out gift!

"A gift well received, is a gift well given"! Or is it, " A gift well given, is a gift well received"?

 

[invent4hir]

I got the Bond connection upon reading "Good evening Mrs. Bondi". Classy and retro. All in all, a very well thought out gift!

"A gift well received, is a gift well given"! Or is it, " A gift well given, is a gift well received"?

RustyGold, I didn't even make the Bondi/Bond connection - thanks for pointing it out

 

[invent4hir]

Vickie's retirement party was held last Thursday. Here are a couple pictures of me presenting her with the gift. Initially she was speechless. To lighten the mood I said I had an extra metal detector and she could go out w/ me anytime she wanted. Later that evening she told me the gift meant so much, as she never had a chance to go beyond high school, and to give her something that has artifacts from one of the first schools in the township plus drives home how much work she did to educate others of local history - brought closure.

 

[creskol]

That is super cool! What a great idea! Thanks for sharing.

 

[invent4hir]

creskol, that means alot, especially coming from you Hope you have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

 

[smallfoot]

I don't know about everybody else, but a personally made gift always means more to me! You did a beautiful job!

 

[invent4hir]

smallfoot, thanks!

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Great job! Saving history is a very enjoyable endeavor.

 

[invent4hir]

Prof, thanks for the kind words. Happy 2020

 

[invent4hir]

Just sharing an article about the display cases that appeared in the Spring 2020 newsletter "The Curator". I recommend zooming out for easier reading.