Public Library Exhibit

his wooden hand plane was used to cut rabbets—step-shaped grooves along the edge of a board that allowed wood pieces to fit together securely. 

The blade, held in place by a wooden wedge, extends to the edge so it can cut clean corners. Without modern adjustments or guides, craftsmen relied on skill and careful measurement to shape each joint by hand. 

Tools like this were essential in furniture making, cabinetry, and frame construction throughout the 1800s. 

This container was used to store and sell lard, a cooking fat made from pork that was widely used before modern oils. 

The label shows it was produced by Shaffer Bros. in Coopersburg, Pennsylvania, highlighting the role of local businesses in supplying everyday household goods. Many containers like this were reused in the home after their original contents were gone. 

This is a wooden counting device known as an abacus, specifically labeled “The Roddey Abacus.” It was used as a tool for performing arithmetic calculations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. 

By sliding the beads along the rods, users could keep track of numbers and carry out calculations efficiently. Devices like this were especially useful in schools, stores, and offices before electronic calculators became widely available. 

Abacuses have been used in various forms for thousands of years across many cultures, making them one of the oldest calculating tools in human history. 

This particular example is marked with a patent date of April 14, 1880, reflecting a period when improved teaching tools were being developed for classrooms in the United States.  

This is a cloth work apron printed with advertising for T. Bachman & Son, a lumber business serving the local area. 

Aprons like this were commonly worn by workers to protect their clothing while performing tasks such as carpentry, construction, or shop work. Businesses often printed their names, services, and phone numbers on everyday items like aprons, turning them into practical advertisements. The wording “We Carry a Full Stock of Lumber” highlights the importance of local lumberyards in supplying materials for homes, barns, and businesses throughout the region. 

T. Bachman & Son was part of the network of local businesses that supported Coopersburg’s growth. Lumber companies were essential to the community, providing the materials needed for building and maintaining homes, farms, and commercial structures. 

The inclusion of a simple phone number “Coopersburg 800”reflects an earlier time in telecommunications, when phone systems were smaller and numbers were shorter. 

The bank honors Coopersburg’s rich agricultural heritage and the important role that cattle once played in the life of the community. Objects like this were often made as coin banks, with a slot for saving money, combining both decoration and practical use. Cast iron banks were popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and were frequently shaped like animals. 

“Tille” is the proud name of the statue that stands today in the center of Coopersburg’s Public Square Park on Main Street. 

Matilda “Tillie” Cooper, was the wife of Tilghman S. Cooper Sr., and an important figure in the town’s agricultural history. Tillie played a key role in Coopersburg’s cattle trade during a time when livestock auctions were a major part of the local economy. Each year, she graciously hosted the many visitors who came to Linden Grove Farm for the annual Memorial Day cattle sale—an event that drew people from near and far. 

Her involvement extended beyond hosting. Tillie frequently traveled with her husband to England and the Isle of Jersey, where she helped select and purchase high-quality cattle for their farm. These prized animals contributed to the reputation and success of the local cattle business. 

These are spats, worn over the tops of shoes and around the ankle in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Fastened with buttons along the side and secured with a strap under the foot, they helped protect footwear and clothing from dirt, mud, and harsh weather. Spats were both practical and stylish, commonly worn by civilians as part of everyday dress and by soldiers as part of military uniforms. Over time, they faded from use as modern footwear became more durable and easier to maintain. 

 24” long, this wooden baton, also known as a nightstick or billy club, was carried by police officers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Marked “Coopersburg,” it was likely issued to a local officer, connecting it directly to the community’s early law enforcement. Made from durable hardwood, usually hickory, ash or another tough wood,  it was used for both self-defense and maintaining public order. A small hole in the shaft allowed for a wrist strap, helping prevent it from being dropped during use. 

It served as a symbol of authority and was very recognizable at the time. 

There are indentations in the wood – how did they get there? 

The following was taken from "The History of Lehigh County." as found by Barbara Ann (Ritter) Morgenstern: In his youth Joel was a farmer, then engaged in cabinet making and undertaking business at Vera Cruz; then took up house painting at Emaus. He later moved to Coopersburg where he conducted a furniture and undertaking business. 

Joel was instrumental in starting the Moravian Church in Coopersburg. The following quote was taken from the old records of the Coopersburg Moravian Church (1883-1949): On a Thursday evening in 1883 (October 25, 1883), 12 brothers and sisters (Joel and Rebecca included) an after fervently calling upon the Lord Jesus to guide them in the deliberations of the evening, determined to organize themselves into a Brethren’s Congregation. 

Joel Ritter born in Salisbury Township, Lehigh County, PA, April 24, 1830, baptized June 20, 1830 by the Reverend Mr. Seller; married twice; the first union in holy wedlock with Rebecca M. Giering was blessed with 9 children, 7 boys and 2 girls. Irwin D. who died in infancy, Richard William, Maria Louise, who died September 12, 1899, Robert Joel, Rebecca Lydianne, Milton Daniel, Morris George, John Martin and Henry Alfred. After the death of his first wife, he was again united in marriage with Mrs. Mary Ann Sieves (nee Giering), a cousin of his first wife on October 11, 1875 which union was without issue. After this marriage he became a communicant member of the Moravian Church at Emmaus, moving to Coopersburg some years later, where he spent the rest of his years and died on a Thursday, July 3, 1902.