Who owns, or even knows what a Hoosier Cabinet is?

[Roly Nelson]

I built a barn for my flight instructor 35 years ago, (in return for flight lessons for the wife and I), and his wife obtained her grandmother's Hoosier cabinet and stored it within the barn since that time. I was making some repairs on the roof, "since she inquired if the guarantee was still good :-)" and I came across the Hoosier, with white paint peeling off of it and it looked like it had been painted with a whisk broom, awful!

I scraped away in various places and told her that this thing was solid oak and should be rescued. She agreed and since horse ranchers have little time for furniture restoration, I was told that I could take it home with me, and do the big number on it. Wow, what a find. I bought books on Hoosiers, found that this treasure was made in 1913 and was indeed a true "Hoosier" since there were many knock-offs from Indiana.

My question is, does anyone else know about these multi-purpose marvels, that revolutionized Grandma's kitchen habits, with it's porclean slide-out counter top, dual flour and sugar bins, endless nooks and cranys for storage and sold for a dollar down and a dollar a week, for one year? Total price, 53 bucks. There was one in every tenth kitchen at the turn of the century......(so says the book)

Anyway, if you have one, tell me about it, or if you have any questions about restoring one or getting parts, let me know.......because...hmmm, lets see, I am a Hoosier-oligist, or something like that. Oh yes, my pride and joy is now sitting in my living room, bright and shiny, all parts in place and even has a brand new "Hoosier" plaque, properly placed, front and center.

Roly, see, not "only" a woody TDer

[dh]

So, where are the pictures??? Don't set a hook like that and not have pictures.

[robfisher]

My wife has been using her hoosier for about 15 years. She thinks it was made in 1936. Has the flour bin and sifter. It's her baking center. Her father(from Indiana) restored it and gave it to her.

[Roly Nelson]

dh, sorry, ain't learned how to post pics yet.............Duh!
I've tried, but don't know an up load from a down load, and what the heck is a pixel?
Roly

[Gage]

dh, sorry, ain't learned how to post pics yet.............Duh!
I've tried, but don't know an up load from a down load, and what the heck is a pixel?
Roly

So tell me Roly. Who uploaded the pics to your album? You say it was your daughter? How about her showing you again and this time take notes.

[Betsey]

My question is, does anyone else know about these multi-purpose marvels, that revolutionized Grandma's kitchen habits, with it's porclean slide-out counter top, dual flour and sugar bins, endless nooks and cranys for storage and sold for a dollar down and a dollar a week, for one year?

I do! I do! And, as we discussed at IRG3, I have one but it is not nearly as nifty as yours! I've had it for about 26 years & still use it, although no longer in the kitchen, as it doesn't phsically fit in my current kitchen. However, we still use it for a tv, & store our dvds, cds, videotapes, & video games in it.

I hope you are able to post pictures of that beauty! You did an amazing job refinishing it & really need to show it off!

Betsey

[Dean in Eureka, CA]

Roly,
Did you and Inky have a chance to stop off at Blue Ox Millworks on your way out of town after the IRG to meet my friends Eric & Viviana???
Hope so... I called them and told them to prepare themselves.

[perche]

Hi Roly. I may need some advice one day, but am currently full up with projects, so probably shouldn't ask right now. My "marvel" was my grandma's, rescued from auction last summer. It was kept in the basement of the family homestead, which flooded on occasion, and there is some water damage to the side panels, inner bins and footings. I doubt if it is a real Hoosier and don't know what type of wood is under the paint (paint is leaded...there are some markings on the back but I try not to move the thing as it is somewhat precariously perched on shims to keep it level). The roll section is pretty much stuck with only an inch of play so I haven't wanted to force it. I think the counter is enamel. Pics:















Don't know what you can tell, if anything, from the pictures. The top unit dissembles from the base and the counter is removable, which was a real bonus in shifting it, as it would have been quite heavy otherwise.

Even as it is, it's a fantastic thing. I understand your fascination with them..."marvels" is correct, even if it's only a knock-off from Indiana. I'm weak on the restoration bit, but at least can add some pictures to your thread...

Randi

[SandyD]

This is a picture of mine. From the hardware it looks like a Boone. From the side bracket and some pictures i've found, it looks like a Sellers.

I wish I had before pictures, but I didn't think of it at the time. I picked it up about 6 yrs ago and it had a kazillion coats of paint. I stripped it to a point and left some of the old paint and then stained it.

The lower cabinet doors were only partially there so I took them off and made a wine rack.

The roll top in the center was a pain. All the material holding the slats was deteriorated so I had to seperate them all and add new canvas.

Glass was broken on the two sides and rather than replacing it, I liked the look of just leaving it open.

[mandy]

Hi Roly. I may need some advice one day, but am currently full up with projects, so probably shouldn't ask right now. My "marvel" was my grandma's, rescued from auction last summer. It was kept in the basement of the family homestead, which flooded on occasion, and there is some water damage to the side panels, inner bins and footings. I doubt if it is a real Hoosier and don't know what type of wood is under the paint (paint is leaded...there are some markings on the back but I try not to move the thing as it is somewhat precariously perched on shims to keep it level). The roll section is pretty much stuck with only an inch of play so I haven't wanted to force it. I think the counter is enamel. Pics:















Don't know what you can tell, if anything, from the pictures. The top unit dissembles from the base and the counter is removable, which was a real bonus in shifting it, as it would have been quite heavy otherwise.

Even as it is, it's a fantastic thing. I understand your fascination with them..."marvels" is correct, even if it's only a knock-off from Indiana. I'm weak on the restoration bit, but at least can add some pictures to your thread...

Randi

I Like it the way it is. It reminds me of something my Grandma might have had.

[caseydog]

My ex mother-in-law has two of them. My wife wanted one, badly.

All the restored ones we looked at had a natural oak finish. I'm sure people have painted them every color of the rainbow, but the natural oak would be my preference.

Besides being a nice looking antique, they are pretty usable in the kitchen.

CD

[Hillmann]

My mom collected and restored them, we still have five of them I think, I have two of them that I use in my store as display shelves (I sell kitchen ware). Actually the kitchen of a teardrop is the pretty much based on a hoosier cabinet. I always thought it would have been a challenge for an entire kitchen to be made up of just a wood stove, a hoosier and the kitchen table, but somehow they managed.

[rebapuck]

The last house I lived in was built by my great aunt in the mid 40's. The kitchen had a 5' counter with a 2' sink in the center. That was it. I could never figure out why she didn't have more counter space built. Now I'm thinking she maybe had a Hoosier.

[mezmo]

Hi Roly,

When we were living in Ohio @ 10-12 years ago we came
across a real nice oak one that had never been painted ! -
not a very common situation. It was at a monthly antique
show at a county park we went to regularly. We had watched
the dealer's booth over time and he always had nice quality items.

Needless to say, it is now sitting in the kitchen being used for
its intended purpose. It had all the original fittings with it too.

It is a really useful item functionally and very attractive
visually. It's the favorite "antique" in the house.

[robfisher]

I always hoped I was the favorite "antique" in the house.