Shoe lasts are the mold upon which a shoe is constructed. This last is made of cast iron and the foot piece is removable and can be lifted off and turned to make the opposite shoe.

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This image by Charles Graham and a short article appeared in the magazine Harper’s Weekly on January 16, 1886. The article titled “Banking Up for Winter” talks about the frigid weather that frequents the northern plains.

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May is National Tourism Month. Just as today’s tourist purchase postcard, tee shirts, and refrigerator magnets, the travelers of earlier eras purchased postcards, stereo view cards, and small pieces of souvenir china. Throughout the late 19th and early 20th souvenir chinaware was popular vacation mementos.

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The South Dakota State University Alma Mater (The Yellow and Blue) was the creation of N.E. Hansen, a horticulture professor and the namesake of Hansen Hall, and Francis Haynes who was a music professor. Initially, when Francis Haynes wanted a new song for the college, he sent an ad out in the newspaper calling for a contest for the best song that would be used as the schools Alma Mater. After receiving zero submissions, Haynes wrote music and Hansen, who was an amateur poet, wrote the words. An interesting thing to note about the lyrics on the original score is that they refer to “S.D.S.C” or South Dakota State College, which was the name of the school until 1964, when it was changed to South Dakota State University. Other than switching the “C’s” for “U’s”, the Yellow and Blue is sung and played the same as it always has been since its publication in 1907.

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Buhr mills were used on farms to grind hard, small grains for animal feed.

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This handheld typewriter got the job done on projects big and small (as long as you had enough patience).

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The Boys Working Reserve was a joint program of the United States Department of Agriculture and the Department of Labor. Boys ages 16 to 18 were recruited for service mainly on farms; Industrial and Vocational units developed later.

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During the 1930s, the Great Depression saw many government programs providing employment to the millions of unemployed. The Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC), established in 1933 put to work mostly unmarried men between the ages of 18 and 25.

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Fred T. Baker, purchased on April 21, 1896, one share in the American Tribune Soldier Colony Company. From 1900 to ca. 1915, Baker was a hardware merchant and postmaster in Aurora. In 1920, he is the proprietor of a cigar shop in Brookings. It is unknown why he purchased this stock share.

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In keeping with tradition, this week’s What’s New Wednesday artifact invites you (in 1880) to a dinner and dance. Hopp and Walker, the proprietors of Olds & Fishback Hall in Brookings invited gentlemen and their ladies to supper at the Brookings House followed by dancing at the hall. 

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Darning is a sewing technique for making smooth repairs in fabric or knitting where patching would be impractical, such as in the heel or toe of a sock. Darning eggs, like the one pictured, helped hold the shape of the fabric for the repair process.

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School students today use computers, paper, and pens or pencils to complete their schoolwork. However, in the Mid-19th century school life was much more different.

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This plywood cutout sign is an advertisement of Sokota brand hybrid corn seed. The jolly, card playing ears of corn were created by Milo Potas, Visual Aids Specialist with South Dakota Extension Service. Each ear of corn is wearing black, pointy toed shoes, black corn husk pants and have painted faces and hair. Each ear of corn is holding a hand of cards. 

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Dec. 7, 1941 is the day the United States entered World War II. The Imperial Japanese Navy and Army Air Force attacked Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. After the attack, those on the Homefront enthusiastically supported the U.S. war effort. Victory gardens were planted, war bonds bought, ration cards used and advice on conserving, recycling and making do was followed. This 32-page booklet offered advice on everything from care of the car, a laundry guide, proper care of gardening tools, conserving electricity and water and a weekly menu. The back cover of the booklet is a reminder that donating scrap metals, batteries and rubber was of great benefit to American troops. For instance: a worn-out wash pail could make three steel bayonets; worn out auto tires could supply enough rubber for thirty gas masks and a tractor laying around unused provided enough scrap iron for 580 heavy machine guns.

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Joan Parker of Arlington, coordinated the SDSU Apron Fashion show. The apron featured in this post was made by Mrs. Selma Lock.

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