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(This event is not scheduled for 2005, but
still is of interest)
Button button, who's got the button?
Well the
"Button Lady" of Course!
Some of these buttons resemble minted coins.
(Clicking will enlarge photo) |
The artistry in these buttons resembles fine jewelry.
(Clicking will enlarge photo) |
"The Button Lady",
Dorothy Krugner of The Button Jar, (360-573-5334) has been collecting buttons for a very
long time. It is estimated she now has some 40,000 in her collection!
There are many stories that go along with these buttons that add
considerable interest to these intrinsic works of art. Many are of the
same times of the Cedar Creek Grist Mill's early operation which makes
this a part of this interesting event. |
| In the mid-1800's there was a fad for young girls to try and collect buttons on a string - no two alike and none bought by the girls.
When you had 999 buttons, your Prince Charming was to give the 1,000th and you would marry him. In 1886, New York Senator, John H.
Tingue (pronounced TingU) was intrigued by a string of buttons he saw and announced to the Connecticut
"Seymore Record" he would give a check of Fifty dollars to the first 3 young ladies under age 20 who read the "Record" and collected
1,000 buttons, no two alike.
The buttons were to be delivered within 30 days. The news item was picked up by many other papers and within 30 days Mr. Tingue had 90,000 buttons! Not all the papers published
all the details of the offer, but Mr. Tingue honored all the newspapers agreements and spent approximately $5,000.00, a very large sum
of money in those days. The buttons were given to the State of Connecticut. The glass bottom at the top right side is also called a Tingue in honor of the
Senator. |
(Story from buttons
below is to the left)
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A rack of buttons
(Click to enlarge) |
I first had the privilege of meeting and talking with
Dorothy Krugner in the summer of 2003. Now as in my case a convenience
product called Velcro came of age. I had never really paid much more
attention to buttons than counting down how many more I have left to do on
my shirt. Dorothy quickly enlightened me to some very interesting history
that accompanies the many types and various time periods of button making.
Perhaps if the buttons on my clothing were as interesting as these, I
would have learned more along the way... |
2 racks of buttons
(Click to enlarge) |
Join The Cedar Creek Grist
Mill to admire the artistry of these beautiful buttons and maybe hear a few more
stories at this Cedar Creek Grist Mill Special Event. |
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| You may click
on any any of the images above and below for a more detailed look at these
buttons. |
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