Antique Toolbox: Last month’s mystery tool – Gambrel

Jennifer Royer, museum curator at Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum, says that January’s mystery tool is a gambrel. This tool is a frame used by butchers to hang carcasses by the legs, such as the hock of a horse or other animal. The bar is made of wood. Each end has five holes drilled through it. Around the center is a wrapped flat iron hook. Through the base of the hook is a large oval iron ring. You might recognize a modern version of the tool shown on the right below.

This mystery tool stumped readers with guesses ranging from yoke to a scale.

Can you guess this month’s tool?

Here’s February’s mystery tool—can you guess its purpose? The object measures 12.75 inches in length.

If you think you know what it is, share your guess using the contact form below. Include your full name and the town where you live. Submissions are due by Monday, February 24, 2025. The correct answer will be revealed on Friday, February 28. Good luck!

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Submission Form

For information, visit landisvalleymuseum.org.

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Upcoming Events

Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum will remain closed throughout January as preparations are made for its milestone 100th anniversary in 2025.

During this time, staff members will focus on training, undertaking restoration projects, and organizing the highly anticipated Centennial Exhibit, “The Hobby that Became a Museum: Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum, 1925-2025.” This special exhibit is set to debut on Charter Day, March 9, 2025, offering visitors an engaging journey through the museum’s rich history.

Behind the scenes, the team is working diligently to ensure a year filled with remarkable events, captivating programs, and celebratory moments that pay tribute to a century of preserving history, fostering community, and celebrating tradition.

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