Henderson County Historical Society

Henderson County Historical Society's Artifact of the Week

This week’s Artifact of the Week is the last in a year-long endeavor, by the Henderson County Historical Society, to celebrate the 52 weeks leading up to the Henderson County Museum’s 50th Anniversary on July 4.  It’s been a pleasure sharing pieces of Henderson County history with you each week in the Henderson County Quill.  

On display at the Henderson County Museum is a beautifully decorated wooden Webster’s Mammoth Seed display box, donated to the museum by Merlin Foresman. This display box came from Dixson Hardware in Stronghurst, owned by George Dixson.  A 1916 business directory for Stronghurst states that the Dixson Hardware store was on the west side of the street on South Broadway.

The Webster Seed Farm, originally established as the Mel L. Webster Co. in Independence, Iowa, was a prominent seed supplier in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. 

Join us on July 4th and tour the Henderson County Museum, in Raritan.  The museum buildings will be open from 9 am to 2 pm.  

We appreciate The Quill for partnering with us on this endeavor and dedicating space each week for our series.  We also appreciate the readers of The Quill for their positive feedback and interest in the collection at the county’s museum.  Happy July 4th!!!