Art
In the early 1900s, eggs were a staple protein for American families—cheap, reliable, and raised in backyard coops or bought fresh from local farms. This wooden crate held 72 eggs, designed for storage, transport, and sale. It shaped how families shopped, cooked, and thought about keeping food.
Art · Full story
You lift the crate's wooden slats and peer inside—small compartments cradle each egg, packed tight to prevent breakage on the wagon ride home. The wood smells of straw and dust. Your mother counts them out loud as she transfers them to the cool cellar shelf, knowing this supply must last until the next market day.
Reflect
How often do you buy eggs now, and how does that compare to your family's rhythm of shopping and storage?