Singer Sewing Machine - Newport, Washington
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T0SHEA
N 48° 10.661 W 117° 02.674
11U E 496686 N 5336050
This Singer Sewing Machine is on the second floor of the Pend Oreille County Historical Museum located at 402 S. Washington Avenue in Newport.
Waymark Code: WMXWDE
Location: Washington, United States
Date Posted: 03/07/2018
Views: 0
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 Singer Sewing Machine is on the second floor.
This Singer Sewing Machine bears a final patent date of 1851. It was obtained by Bella Halgren before her marriage to Henry K. Hanson in 1875, in Chicago, Illinois. Both these people were natives of Norway. They lived at Pike Lake, Minnesota before coming to their home at 2627 East De Smet Avenue, Spokane, Washington in 1908.
Transcribed from sign
Though this sign indicates a patent date of 1851, (1452771) is from 1874 which more closely coincides with the marriage date of 1875 indicated on the sign. We carefully looked for the indicated patent date of 1851 and were unable to find any other then what is stated in this comment. Also in 1851 this would make Bella one year old.
Aside from any discrepancy, this is the oldest Singer Sewing Machine that we found. Note that this Singer Sewing Machine was originally a hand crank and most likely later converted to a treadle. During researching this Singer the treadle unit is consistent with this era. This Singer has the original "Fiddle Base" though most that I found were more decorative, if you look closely you see flakes of gold that would indicate this may at one time been nicely detailed.
I was able to find a listing for their old house on East Desmet Avenue, and is completely remodeled inside and built in 1908. Also found the following information about Bella and Henry Hanson:
Bella Hanson was born on October 12, 1850 and passed away on October 3, 1925, at the age of 74 years of age.
Henry K. Hanson was born on August 12, 1844 and passed away on April 28, 1935, at the age of 90 years of age.
Both Bella and Henry are interred in Greenwood Memorial Terrace in Spokane, Washington.
