Foundry Ladle

This ladle was used to pour molten iron into molds to create cast iron products in Belvidere's National Sewing Machine Company foundry. From the early 1900s, it was used to make parts for cast iron toys, washing machines, sewing machines, bicycles, cars, and many other items. It may be the only ladle that escaped the demolition and salvage of the National Sewing Machine Company's buildings in 1991. The National Sewing Company factory, constructed in 1886 at the corner of State and Meadow Streets just north of the present day Boone County Historical Museum, was led first and most influentially by Barnabas Eldredge. Under his leadership, the factory grew to occupy over 20 acres and employ thousands of people.

Belvidere, Illinois · United States