My First Unknown Follower and a Flat Top Trunk

I am super excited! I have my first follower that is not related in some way! This means someone actually is interested in what I have to say!!! Wow. That means more responsibility too. Thank you Reddy, you made my week!

After cleaning the trunk of layers of dirt and grime.

Sometimes its the little things that get people so excited. Michala, who lives in Sullivan, Illinois with her wonderful husband Evan took us to an almost impossible to find art studio owned and operated by John McDevitt.  The Yellow Dog Studio is located in an old shoe factory. Honestly, the building looks deserted but it is worth the effort to go there. John uses reclaimed wood and other materials to create incredible pieces of art. While we were there, John showed us the area his supplies are stored. Michala immediately spied an old trunk and just had to ask about it. That trunk was pretty rough! After making arrangements to pick up a shelf and the trunk later that day we were on our way.

Just a little sweet talking and convincing it would be a great project, Kevin and I brought the trunk home and he went right to work. Cleaning, scrubbing, wiping, sanding, cleaning some more and it's ready for paint. 


I researched these trunks a little. This one had a tray inside and was secured with a lock and leather straps and handles. All of these things are missing now but I think that just adds to the mystery of who used it. Where did they travel to? ?id they use it to move across the country? Was it used as their wardrobe? And many more questions.


The Flat Top Trunk was manufactured from 1870 - 1920. There were some rare examples of this style starting in the 1850s and 1860s. They were mass marketed starting around 1880. This one is canvas covered which was very common. The hardware seems to be common as well. I can just imagine my ancestors traveling to Illinois with a trunk like this! Probably held all their clothes and linens, maybe even their entire household belongings! Today, most of us couldn't put a quarter of our wardrobes in this.

Finished!

I'm not sure where Michala and Evan will put this but I do know it's up to her to finish the inside! If they wanted to, I think they could find someone in the Arthur area to make and install some leather for them. 

Side view

I don't know though, it looks pretty good like this and I don't see them getting on a train or even a stagecoach any time soon!