Liquor still found in a Willow Court home attic, Hoboken, no date, circa 1920's.
Entry/Object ID
2007.091.0001
Description
Group of parts from a metal liquor still found in the attic of a Willow Court home, Hoboken, no date, circa 1920's. Pots and tubing are copper with some brass fittings; gas burner heating base is cast iron with brass cock and white ceramic valve handle. Sizes of items vary; largest kettles are circa 20" high.
Note: this record supplants original objects record - 2007.001.0010 See photo catalog 2007.091.0001.01 for images of each element.
Per donor, Patrick Corrigan: the still belonged to and was used by his great grandfather, Patrick O'Sullivan who moved to Willow Terrace from Ireland in the 20's. The liquor that he used to make was called Poteen.
This alcoholic beverage distillation apparatus appears to be homemade except for the burner. The still as shown on display was not based on a known arrangement of the items, but what seemed to be a logical arrangement of the existing pieces. From the fittings on these pieces or lack thereof, it would appear that there were once other elements to this group that are no longer present.
Group includes:
gas heater base
two mash kettles (one with screw-on spout)
two cooling pots
condensation pot
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Image of selected elements as displayed in 2005 exhibition: ”The City of Hoboken. The Past 75 Years: 1930-2005” at the Hoboken Historical Museum, 1301 Hudson St., Hoboken., N.J.
