Name/Title
Curtiss & Merrill Thread CabinetEntry/Object ID
2026.32.1Description
Tabletop thread cabinet. Material: wood, metal. Size: 23"W 14.5 D 7.5 H. Red oak tabletop thread cabinet. Cabinet is made of solid red oak and contains two drawers. each drawer has two resin knobs set in a metal base. The center of each drawer has an inset where the brand name of the thread would have been, but was either removed or painted over.
Label (incomplete) on back identifies the merchant:Context
Would have been used to house thread for sale at Merrill's store in Janesville. Merrill set up on his own after the earlier Curtiss and Merrill store burnt down in the fire of January 22, 1880, located in the old Janesville.
The fire broke out in the early morning hours inside the brick storefront belonging to W.H. McGrew (alternatively recorded as Wm. McGeer). The exact cause of the ignition was never determined.The flames quickly spread from the initial building to neighboring structures, including the wooden building of Curtiss & Merrill. The business district took a heavy financial hit. Although their building was lost, Curtiss & Merrill managed to salvage their stock of groceries and feed.Furniture Details
Furniture Type
tabletop cabinetMade/Created
Date made
circa 1880 - circa 1900Place
* Untyped Place
Janesville, MinnesotaLexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Secondary Object Term
Cabinet, ThreadNomenclature Primary Object Term
CabinetNomenclature Sub-Class
Storage & Display FurnitureNomenclature Class
FurnitureNomenclature Category
Category 02: FurnishingsCreate Date
August 28, 2026Update Date
August 28, 2026
