Here at Historic Fort Steuben, our museum collections are important. The historical stuff we have really makes the museum special and it can make the past feel alive to our visitors. To me, the fort itself is an artifact, even though it is a reconstruction. These buildings invite us to appreciate what life was like for the First American Regiment and the team of surveyors working to map the Northwest Territory while they were here in the winter of 1786 and 1787.

With the recent cold weather and snow on the ground, I feel more connected to them than ever as the winter the soldiers were here was particularly harsh. Another artifact would be the First Federal Land Office, part of the campus of Historic Fort Steuben. This building has been around since 1801, and has seen so much history in Steubenville. Inside the building are artifacts that represent the time period in which the land office was built and used as the first federal land office in the Northwest Territory.

Objects from the early years of Steubenville are somewhat difficult to find, but they come up from time to time. Such was the case with a percussion cap rifle we recently acquired. According to my wife, who wrote the text panel of the object, “This mid-19th century percussion rifle is attributed to local Steubenville gunsmith James Teaff Jr. The stock made of curly maple features a 41-inch octagonal barrel, an ornate brass patch box and is approximately 40 calibers. The gunsmith, James Teaff Jr., (1826-1884) learned his trade from his father, James Teaff Sr., and operated out of the family gunsmith workshop in downtown Steubenville on the ‘west side of Third Street, second door south of Washington Streets.’ The flintlock and percussion rifles made by James Teaff are of fine quality and are often highly ornamented.”

This particular rifle is pretty heavy and carries an antique repair where one can see where the stock broke, but to me, that does not detract from the interest of this piece. Teaff was one of a few gunsmiths working in Steubenville at this time. The Teaff family generally signed their rifles and although this particular one is not signed, it is attributed to Teaff Jr.

For information about Teaff and the other Steubenville gunsmiths, I would recommend seeing the book “Ohio Gunsmiths & Allied Tradesmen 1750-1950.”

Occasionally, we seek out the object like the Teaff rifle, but sometimes, the object shows up here unannounced. Such is the case recently with a calendar plate that arrived a few days ago by mail. The plate is a promotional item for an establishment called Miller’s, where they sold suits, jackets, skirts and dry goods. The plate has a full calendar around the rim with all 12 months from the year 1908. From an object standpoint, it is a pretty common item, but because it features a local business from the early years of the 20th century, it’s one-of-a-kind to us. Doing just a little research, it is possible this is the same Miller’s that was located at 316 Market St.

According to the March 30, 1905, edition of the Steubenville Herald-Star, Miller’s hosted an introductory sale as they purchased the dry goods store of J.H. Doutt & Co. of 316 Market St. Objects one could buy at Miller’s were calicoes, muslin, corsets, table linens, hosiery, laces, ladies jacket suits, remnants, jackets and skirts, infant’s bonnets, ribbons and belts. At this time, there was much competition in town for the best place to buy dry goods and clothing. One could go to Sulzbacher’s, Bristor and Muller, Munker’s, the Hub and R.G. Howerter & Son, among so many others in town. Competition was indeed fierce because by March 13, 1908, Miller’s advertised in the Steubenville Herald-Star a bankrupt sale. Everything, according to the advertisement, was exactly half price. One could get furs, skirts, hosiery, corset covers, gloves, curtains and dress goods for a steal at the sale. This delightful little calendar plate was sent to us from a woman in Iowa who is in the process of downsizing and preparing for a move to Florida. According to a letter that accompanied the object, the family originated in Belgium and moved to the Steubenville and Dillonvale area.

At some point after 1908, the family moved to Detroit and then to Iowa. This little plate was owned by three generations and moved with them during the last 118 years. The letter from the donor says that she feels very strongly that this plate should go “home.” We are happy to care for this little artifact of a short three-year period in Steubenville’s retail history. It has found a good home here at the fort. Objects like these two have rich histories, from the story of a local gunsmith working in town, to a calendar plate from a local business, the past is strong here in Steubenville. Historic Fort Steuben will continue to care for these objects that tell our story for generations to come.

(Zuros is the executive director of Historic Fort Steuben)