Richards and Wilcox Whetstone - Newport, Washington
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T0SHEA
N 48° 10.661 W 117° 02.679
11U E 496680 N 5336050
This Richards and Wilcox Whetstone is on the first floor of the Pend Oreille County Historical Museum located at 402 S. Washington Avenue in Newport.
Waymark Code: WMXWC5
Location: Washington, United States
Date Posted: 03/07/2018
Views: 2
Pend Oreille County Historical Museum is one of the most interesting museums we have visited, including those that took all day to tour. The museum complex consists of the historic I. & W. N. Depot building built in 1908 which houses the gift shop and displays on the first and second floors. This Richards and Wilcox Whetstone is on the first floor in the back by the stairway.
The Richard and Wilcox Whetstone is about 20” across and about 1 ¾” thick with R-W on the seat for the company name. Whetstones were an important part of everyday life for sharpening knives, axes, sickles and scythes and other implements used on the farm.
This one dates around the early 1900’s. Richard and Wilcox were well known for the quality of their whetstones especially with the addition of foot petals and a seat. The whetstone sets on a sturdy metal frame with the seat attached. The name Richard and Wilcox, Aurora, Illinois is written on the stone, though difficult to read. The stone and frame are still in good condition with only one noticeable chip on the edge of the stone. The whetstone is also commonly known as a grinding or sharpening wheel or stone.