Spinning wheel

Object/Artifact

-

Saco Museum

Name/Title

Spinning wheel

Entry/Object ID

2024.12.1

Description

Large spinning wheel, for wool or cotton, fitted with a Minor's accelerating head. The rear leg is located behind the tension system, which has a unusual tensioning device. The spindle post is capped with a brass ring.

Made/Created

Date made

1809 - 1823

Dimensions

Height

47-3/4 in

Width

5-1/2 in

Depth

2-1/2 in

Length

34-1/2 in

Diameter

47-3/4 in

Material

iron, Maple

Interpretative Labels

Label Type

Cultural/Historical Context

Label

Known as a great wheel, wool wheel, or walking wheel, wheels of this type were used to spin wool and cotton. The unusual tensioning device, location of the rear leg, and the brass-capped spindle post are all characteristics of spinning wheels made in the Alfred, Maine Shaker community during the period when Elder Samuel Ring was a Trustee (1809-1814).

Label Type

Cultural/Historical Context

Label

Minor’s Accelerating Head, 1810-1850 Probably maple This wheel is equipped with an Accelerating Wheel Head, which was patented by Amos Minor in 1810. The device adds an intermediate pulley between the spindle and the large drive wheel, which more than doubles the velocity of the spindle. It also made it much easier to spin the long-staple merino wool that was introduced into New England in the early 19th century.