DescriptionDuring the nineteenth century wood was widely used by canal builders and engineers. This particular wood sample could have been retrieved from a variety of different parts of the canal. It could have been used in the [miter] gates, swing bridges, lock chambers as support for the canal banks or even possibly as part of a canal going vessel. This wood retrieved from the outlet lock area represents the reliance upon woodworking as opposed to steel construction in the nineteenth century.

NoteIn 1998, the New Brunswick Free Public Library accepted 31 artifacts that were recovered from the Delaware & Raritan Canal outlet lock and towpath. Currently they are are on permanent display in the Henry Guest House which is on the library grounds. The various artifacts are organized into six different categories: Tools; Pieces of Canal; Milk Bottles; Mule Shoes; Workers Personal Objects; and Bones. As a part of the inventory, each artifact is listed with a label (Item no., Title, Description, and Date Accepted), an expanded description, and a photograph(s). These objects are a portion of the Delaware and Raritan Canal Collection of the NBFPL Archives. The larger collection includes pictures, articles, and documents about the canal and its history. Access is available by appointment at the library.

Time PeriodExpansion and Reform (1801-1861), The Industrial Revolution (1870-1900)

Persistent URLhttps://doi.org/doi:10.7282/T3NP2426

CollectionDelaware and Raritan Canal Artifacts

Organization NameNew Brunswick Free Public Library

RightsThis resource may be copyright protected. You may make use of this resource, with proper attribution, for educational and other non-commercial uses only. Contact the contributing organization to obtain permission for reproduction, publication, and commercial use.

Citations & ExportHide

Citations

Export

Description

Citations & Export
Hide