A Hoosier Cabinet History

One piece of vintage furniture that I love and one day hope to have - when living space allows it - is the great Hoosier cabinet. These pieces are not only storage savers, but are just amazing vintage pieces of kitchen history. They can commonly be found in antique malls, used furniture warehouses, and Craigslist (which I highly recommend to check out due to seller's low prices).

The Hoosier cabinet has a great history behind it: practical, functional, and appealing to the everyday woman. Hoosiers were popular between the 1900s through the 1930s. The Hoosier Manufacturing Company was founded in 1899 in New Castle, Indiana and produced what is commonly known of today as the "Hoosier." The company coined the piece of furniture as a "kitchen filing cabinet" and no wonder this phrase worked: if offered a place for all of the kitchen necessities and more. Sold throughout the country, the Hoosier company advertised in popular magazines such as Ladies Home Journal and Better Homes and Gardens, appealing to the stay at home moms. The basic models were large enough to hold both food and kitchen utensils while more elaborate models were complete with flour sifters and revolving condiment jar racks. 

 Basically, the Hoosier served as the kitchen cabinet before built-in cabinets became popular in the late 1930s and 1940s. It was seen as a piece of kitchen equipment that would save time and revolutionize kitchen design, carrying the following motto: "Steps saved in the kitchen give women strength and energy for other things." The company even devised Hoosier test kitchens in order to promote the efficiency and necessity of their cabinets, giving the approval of the Test Kitchen in order to entice more buyers. Housewives were seen as the big buyers of the cabinets, or at least the people to market to in the event that the man of the house did the actual buying. Being a housewife during this time was the norm and so Hoosier played on that.

As the look of the kitchen changed and morphed into more of what we know today with all of the built-ins, the need for a Hoosier declined. To some, specifically kitchen designers who wanted to revolutionize the look of the kitchen, it was a cumbersome piece of furniture that wasn't that helpful in the kitchen. It was toted as a storage space for all of your kitchen needs and provided a working area via the porcelain shelf. However, the tabletop/shelf space was not adequate enough for some when it came to having enough room for baking. The area also wasn't large enough for other members of the family to help out in the baking process. A mother could very well have all of her baking supplies at her fingertips with the Hoosier, but when it came to having little Johnny & Susie assist in forming the dough & cutting out cookie shapes, the Hoosier shelf just didn't provide enough room for all of the work.

 Like everything, the Hoosier went out of style but now is back in style, at least with the collecting and antique population. Hoosiers are finding their way back into the kitchens and homes of Americans, with many taking on restoration projects to restore run down pieces. Some use it as kitchen storage while others use it as a way to display their collections. If you are interested in finding a Hoosier, it is easier than you might think. Craigslist has infinite possibilities, ranging from the pristine to the total fixer-upper. Search in both the antique and furniture section, using the correct spelling of Hoosier as well as misspelled variations such as Hooser, Hoosir. Prices vary depending on condition as well as the urgency of the lister to sell. Read the listing carefully, being sure to take note of the condition description, item location, and of course the price. If the price isn't right for you, be sure to search for the current listing title in Craigslist or scroll through the older ads. If the piece has been listed more than once over a period of time, you might be able to negotiate a lower price.

 If you are willing to travel, there is always eBay. This might be a little awkward for some, but many people sell Hoosiers on eBay by offering local pick up only. If you find one that catches your eye and the price is right, a few hours drive could be worth it. Be sure to come prepared with a big enough vehicle, blankets for covering the item, and able bodies to help move the piece. Sometimes sellers may assist in moving the item, but it never hurts to be prepared. Be sure to ask such questions as where the item is located. Is it on a 1st floor, garage loft, basement? Verify the condition of the piece and don't be afraid to ask for additional pictures or more information. It is bad enough when an item is shipped to you and the seller forgot to mention something totally obvious, but imagine driving a considerable length of time only to find out the piece is not what is pictured online.

Restoring a Hoosier can take time and money, but can be well worth it for a beautiful, vintage piece. A simple restoration with a new coat of paint doesn't break the bank, but those wishing to restore a Hoosier with period-correct flour sifters, shelving, knob fixtures, etc. can accumulate a high price tag. eBay is a great source to find the odds and ends to complete your Hoosier... and also a great place to sell spare parts if you should happen to come across any. These pieces are a great part of the history of the American kitchen and fortunately are still around today to enjoy!