
What is an antique Hoosier cabinet?
An antique Hoosier cabinet is basically a 100-year-old or older free-standing kitchen cabinet. To properly identify and value any Hoosier cabinet, you'll ... ALL TOPICS LoveToKnow
What is the origin of the term Hoosier?
The origin of the term remains a matter of debate, [1] but "Hoosier" was in general use by the 1840s, [2] having been popularized by Richmond resident John Finley's 1833 poem "The Hoosier's Nest". [2] Anyone born in Indiana or a resident at the time is considered to be a Hoosier. [citation needed]
What is the Hoosier Manufacturing Company?
The Hoosier Manufacturing Company was one of those early manufacturers. In 1900, the company moved a short distance from Albany, Indiana to New Castle, Indiana. It began improving its manufacturing and distribution process, and was a strong believer in advertising. By 1906, it had 146 employees.
Where do Hoosiers stow their household goods?
The version of a Hoosier found in the following excerpt lacks the negative connotations associated with the original usage in the southern United States: Wherein he stows his household goods. To each is given a noble farm. A compilation of versions of the song “Yankee Doodle,” published in 1857. Courtesy of the University of Tennessee Knoxville.

What is an antique Hoosier cabinet?
A Hoosier cabinet (also known as a "Hoosier") is a type of cupboard or free-standing kitchen cabinet that also serves as a workstation. It was popular in the first few decades of the 20th century in the United States, since most houses did not have built-in kitchen cabinetry. The Hoosier Manufacturing Co.
What is the original color of a Hoosier cabinet?
hoosier 3 took it back to its original colors which were green apple and Ivory, | Hoosier cabinets, Hoosiers, The originals.
Why do they call it a Hoosier cabinet?
The cabinet got its name because most of them were made in Indiana. The first Hoosier cabinets appeared in 1898, created by a furniture company called Sellers, in New Castle, Indiana. Popularity of the cabinet grew up until the late 1940's when the records for the cabinets became scarce.
How can you tell a Hoosier cabinet?
Hoosier cabinets often boasted a flour bin with a built-in sifter. Other features included a sugar bin, spice rack, knife drawer, and a cookbook holder. Some even included a pencil holder, lazy Susan, or bread bin. The enamel, zinc, or wood countertop jutted out past the face of the cabinet to provide more workspace.
How much are antique Hoosier cabinets worth?
The value of a Hoosier cabinet is determined largely by the condition of the piece and the presence of the original accessories. While all-wood examples in perfect condition can fetch nearly $2,000, those requiring some restoration work may cost as little as $200.
Are Hoosier cabinets still made?
Today, the all-purpose freestanding unit is an American classic. Hoosier cabinets are no longer mass-produced. In the late 30s, demand for the cabinet style dropped as American kitchens shifted to layouts with built in cabinets.
How do you clean an old Hoosier cabinet?
0:3213:26Restoring/Cleaning A Hoosier Cabinet - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipEspecially if you have a lot of natural wood furniture. And things around and it's this Murphy's OilMoreEspecially if you have a lot of natural wood furniture. And things around and it's this Murphy's Oil Soap.
Who made my Hoosier cabinet?
In the approximately 40 years that the Hoosier style kitchen cabinets were mfg. by Coppes Napanee, we have counted more than 300 different model numbers. As you may guess, the actual changes to the different models were sometimes small.
When were sellers Hoosier cabinets made?
The first Hoosier-style cabinet was made by a furniture manufacturing company named Sellers in 1898 in Elwood, Indiana.
What do you store in a Hoosier cabinet?
The cabinet can be used to store dinnerware and cooking accessories such as pots and pans. The convenient, pull-out enamel work surface comes in handy for baking and food preparation. Display vintage canister sets, ceramics, vintage pottery or antique bottles, mason jars and Depression-era glassware.
What kind of wood are Hoosier cabinets made of?
Most were made of oak or other solid wood. The Hoosier cabinet began to decline in popularity after World War II when more modern appliances began to emerge. Woodworkers today are restoring these old cabinets and building new cabinets after the Hoosier style.
Who made my Hoosier cabinet?
In the approximately 40 years that the Hoosier style kitchen cabinets were mfg. by Coppes Napanee, we have counted more than 300 different model numbers. As you may guess, the actual changes to the different models were sometimes small.
How do you restore an old Hoosier cabinet?
How to Refinish a Hoosier CabinetRemove all drawers from your Hoosier cabinet. ... Paint over the wood with a liquid paint stripper. ... Remove any remaining finish using a medium-grade steel wool. ... Scrub the wood with a rag soaked in grain filler, if your Hoosier cabinet consists of a wide, open-grain structure.More items...
Where Can You Get Your Antique Hoosier Cabinet Valued?
This is why you can get yours appraised online by sending photographs of your antique Hoosier cabinet to auction sites – and getting a free ball-park figure appraisal.
What is a hoosier cabinet?
Hoosier cabinets usually have a specific design in that they have a work-table surface in the middle where you can gather ingredients, make bread or gather up ingredients. They also have a bottom part that encompasses cabinets and drawers for storage, as well as an upper part with closed cupboard for additional storage.
Why did Hoosier cabinets wane?
The popularity then waned because of the introduction of built-in kitchen cooking and storage units. The Hoosier Manufacturing Co was sold in 1942 and then liquidated, so records of Hoosier cabinets became very scarce.
What wood is used in antique hoosier cabinets?
Wood Used – Antique Hoosier cabinets were made from different types of woods, with the most common ones being oak, pine, white maple and walnut. Those made of oak or walnut tend to be valued higher than those made from pine.
How many hoosier cabinets were made in 1920?
The popularity of this cabinet grew and grew, with the Hoosier Manufacturing Co. making 600 Hoosier cabinets every day! This company sold more than 2 million cabinets by 1920.
How wide are hoosier cabinets?
Hoosier cabinets are quite unique, which is why you should first check out the specifics. Antique Hoosier cabinets were six feet tall, two feet deep and four feet wide. Does the one you’re trying to identify check these boxes?
Where is the manufacturer's mark on a Hoosier cabinet?
Manufacturer’s Mark. All original Hoosier cabinets have a manufacturer’s mark somewhere on the cabinet – usually hidden from sight. Hoosier hid their manufacturer’s mark so well, it takes a person who known them to find out exactly where their mark is: An ‘H’ on the door fasteners!
What does the name Hoosier mean?
For more than 100 years, it has continued to mean friendliness, neighborliness, an idyllic contentment with Indiana landscape and life.”
When did the frontier roughness begin?
Although the term implied a frontier roughness just beyond the most recently settled and “civilized” regions (which of course were always moving west), its subsequent widespread acceptance in the 1830s and 1840s was definitely good-natured, if not independent-minded, in meaning then and thereafter.
Where did the word "hoosier" come from?
But just when the word began to be used specifically to refer to people from Indiana is hard to know.
Who came up with the Hoosier theory?
In the course of time, “Hoosier” came to describe all people from Indiana. Theory 3. This theory comes to us from the Hoosier poet himself, James Whitcomb Riley. His version of the story includes the same stereotype of rough frontiersmen fond of fighting as did the “Hussher” theory.
What was Frontier Indiana like?
Frontier Indiana was a rough place that produced rough people. Rough but strong. Some of those rough, strong people found that the daily work of cutting down trees, farming, building houses with their hands, and chopping fire wood didn’t do quite enough to prove their strength to their fellow man. So they fought. They fought at house-raisings and log-rollings. They fought in the fields and in the woods. Those who were particularly adept at this so-called “wrastlin” were referred to as hushers, for they could quell their opponents into silence. One such husher found himself in New Orleans working as a boatmen when he felt the urge to demonstrate his rather remarkable strength. So, he fought not just one, but four men at once. And he bested them all. In his enthusiasm, he sprang up, shouting “I’m a Hussher!” But with his accent, it came out sounding more like “I’m a Hoosier!” The episode was picked up by some of the New Orleans newspapers and the “Hoosier” pronunciation came to refer to all boatmen from Indiana, and later all people from Indiana.
What is the Hooshier?
The appellation of Hooshier has been used in many of the Western States, for several years, to designate, in a good natural way, an inhabitant of our sister state of Indiana. Ex- Governor Ray has lately started a newspaper in Indiana, which he names “The Hoshier” [sic].
Where does Erelong stow his household goods?
Erects a cabin in the woods, Wherein he stows his household goods. Erelong the cabin disappears, A spacious mansion next he rears; His fields seem widening by stealth, An index of increasing wealth; and when the hives of Hooshers swarm, To each is given a noble farm.
When was the Hoosher's Nest published?
That changed with the publishing of former state Representative John Finley’s poem “The Hoosher’s Nest” in 1833.
When was the word "Indiana" first used?
According to Indiana University Archives, the earliest known written use of the word can be found in a letter dated February 11, 1831. In the letter, written by G.L. Murdock to General John Tipton, Murdock replied to an advertisement ...
What was the original set of Hoosier glassware?
Original sets of Hoosier glassware consisted of coffee and tea canisters, a salt box, and four to eight spice jars. Some manufacturers also included a cracker jar.
What is a hoosier cabinet?
Jump to navigation Jump to search. A Hoosier cabinet. A Hoosier cabinet (also known as a "Hoosier") is a type of cupboard or free-standing kitchen cabinet that also serves as a workstation. It was popular in the first few decades of the 20th century in the United States, ...
How many Hoosier cabinets were sold in 1920?
In 1916, the company sold its one millionth Hoosier Cabinet and was clearly the leader in free-standing kitchen cabinets. By 1920, two million had been sold. During its peak years, the company produced nearly 700 cabinets per day, and was the largest manufacturer of kitchen cabinets in the United States.
What are the strengths of Hoosier Manufacturing?
In addition to its product, Hoosier Manufacturing's success can be attributed to its strengths in advertising, distribution, and manufacturing . Hoosier Manufacturing created its own dealer network, since some furniture dealers were not fond of a product that competed with their wares. In cases where they had no dealer, products were sold directly from the factory. The company was also a strong believer in advertising. Advertising was conducted in newspapers and national magazines such as Ladies' Home Journal and The Saturday Evening Post, where the reader was likely to be a woman. In 1903, the company began streamlining its manufacturing process by using interchangeable hardware, standardizing its products, and using an assembly line. The employee responsible for these innovations, Harry Hall, was also granted patents related to innovations for the cabinet and for a safety apparatus.
Where were hoosier cabinets made?
The major manufacturers of Hoosier cabinets at that time were located in Indiana. Hoosier Manufacturing was the largest.
When did hoosier cabinets become popular?
They peaked in popularity in the 1920s, then declined as homes began to be constructed with built-in kitchen cabinets and counter tops.
Who researched the Hoosier cabinet?
One author credits the work of Philip and Phyllis Kennedy for boosting the popularity of Hoosier cabinets. The Kennedys researched the cabinet's history and procedures for restoration during the 1980s. In a 1999 book, another author discussing the Hoosier cabinet mentioned that some cooks are "scouring antique stores, farm auctions, and flea markets for this unique, and still useful, piece of Americana."
When were hoosiers made?
Most of the companies produced these cabinets during the depression period. Therefore, you should check the date and year on the stamp that shows the 20th century. This is when the manufacturing of classic Hoosiers was done.
Why Is It Called the Hoosier Cabinet?
There are several theories to the origin of the word Hoosier. The first meaning is that it involves someone yelling, “Who’s there?”
What Are Hoosier Cabinets Worth?
So, what’s the value of Hoosier cabinets? This is a question that a lot of people ask. Since this is an antique cabinet , it depends on the one you want to buy or sell. The availability of accessories is also essential when buying or selling the cabinet.
Why are hoosier cabinets declining?
In the late 1930s, Hoosier cabinets began declining in popularity because new houses started to include built-in kitchen cabinetry. When this started happening, the cabinets’ sales dropped, and in 1942, the Hoosier Manufacturing Company was sold and liquidated. Hoosier cabinets are only valued by antique collectors nowadays.
How many Hoosier cabinets were sold in 1920?
This is where the Hoosier cabinet got its name, which became a generic term for this kind of furniture. By the year 1920, the company had sold 2 million cabinets in the United States. The cabinets were also manufactured by other companies, mostly from the Hoosier State or surrounding areas.
What was the solution to the problem in most houses that existed back in the 1900s?
The solution they came up with was to manufacture cabinets that would act as built-in cabinetry for homes.
How to identify a hoosier cabinet?
To identify a Hoosier cabinet, you first need to know about its features to better differentiate it from others. The first thing to look for is the hallmark three-compartment design included in a Hoos ier cabinet. That includes its porcelain workspace, shallow upper cabinet, and deep lower cabinet.
What is a hoosier?
A true Hoosier is someone who lives in or from Indiana that loves other people. All other definitions are fictitious.
Where did the term "Hoosier" come from?
One possible origin of the term "Hoosier" came from the construction of the Louisville and Portland Canal (1826–1833) . Two related stories trace the origin of the term to gangs of workers from Indiana under the direction of a Mr. Hoosier. The account related by Dunn is that a Louisville contractor named Samuel Hoosier preferred to hire workers ...
What is the official demonym for a resident of Indiana?
Hoosier. This article is about the official demonym for a resident of the U.S. state of Indiana. For other uses, see Hoosier (disambiguation). Hoosier / ˈhuːʒər / is the official demonym for a resident of the U.S. state of Indiana.
What does "hoosier" mean in the book Shanties from the Seven Seas?
The word is also encountered in sea shanties. In the book Shanties from the Seven Seas by Stan Hugill, in reference to its former use to denote cotton -stowers, who would move bales of cotton to and from the holds of ships and force them in tightly by means of jackscrews .
When was the Hoosier State created?
The origin of the term remains a matter of debate within the state, but "Hoosier" was in general use by the 1840s, having been popularized by Richmond resident John Finley's 1833 poem "The Hoosier's Nest". Anyone born in Indiana or a resident at the time is considered to be a Hoosier. Indiana adopted the nickname "The Hoosier State " more ...
Who introduced the Hoosier story?
Evan Bayh and Sen . Vance Hartke, who introduced the story into the Congressional Record in 1975, and matches the timing and location of Smith's subsequent research. However, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been unable to find any record of a Hoosier or Hosier in surviving canal company records.
When did Hoosier's men start digging the canals?
During the excavation of the first canal around the Falls of the Ohio from 1826 to 1833, his employees became known as "Hoosier's men" and then simply "Hoosiers". The usage spread from these hard-working laborers to all of the Indiana boatmen in the area and then spread north with the settlement of the state.
