Trunk

Furniture

-

Brethren & Mennonite Heritage Center

Name/Title

Trunk

Entry/Object ID

2025.1.424

Description

rounded top, faded painting on top and front, latch mechanism removed and replaced with particle board

Context

This travel trunk accompanied Christian Fike from Switzerland when he came to America in the mid-18th century. Christian Fike was born in Switzerland in 1727. He was most likely Amish and a miller by trade. He traveled to America and settled in Pennsylvania during the migration of Anabaptists in the 18th century. He brought his possessions in this simple unfinished pine travel trunk- possibly self-made. Several coats of pant were added to the trunk over the years. In 1757, Christian Fike married Barbara Bontther (Bontrager) who was Brethren; he was baptized into her faith. Many Brethren ministers descended from this union. Christian died in Chester County, Pennsylvania, on August 27, 1771.

Cataloged By

Hannah Hendricks

Category

Household

Acquisition

Accession

2025.1

Furniture Details

Furniture Type

Chest

Material

Wood, Metal, Painted

Color

Black, Blue, Red, White

Location

Location

Room

Migration Room

Building

Weaver-Brunk Log House

Date

July 18, 2025

Inventory

Inventory Project

INV2025.1

Inventoried By

Hannah Hendricks

Inventoried Date

Jul 17, 2025

Condition

Reason for Exam

Inventory

Overall Condition

Good

Condition Detail

Fading

Date Examined

Jul 17, 2025

Provenance

Notes

Christian Fike, Switzerland to Pennsylvania, mid-18th century Fikes, Pennsylvania to West Virginia Mike Fike to Heritage Center, 2016

Created By

[email protected]

Create Date

July 18, 2025

Updated By

[email protected]

Update Date

July 15, 2026