Spoons at the Yeaton-Walsh Site

In 2015, the annual Strawbery Banke field school focused on excavations surrounding the foundation of the Yeaton-Walsh House. The house was built c. 1803 and occupied by the Welch family from the 1850s until 1909. As the 2020 summer archaeology intern, I am conducting research on some specific artifacts that were recovered which will be used to help the Collections Department develop a furnishing plan for a future museum exhibit in the home. I am conducting this research remotely from my home using internet resources.

This silver spoon was found at the Yeaton-Walsh site. On the handle of the spoon is etched the words “ARION SILVER PLATE”. The handle has a scalloped-edge end and has the symbol of a shield and two crossed branches. Based on this information, I was able to determine that the design on the handle is called the Jewell pattern. This pattern was designed by Frederick E. Pretat and was patented in 1916 (Sterling Flatware Fashions). Based on the size and shape of the spoon, it was likely a teaspoon.

For this silver spoon, only the head was found at the Yeaton-Walsh site. Etched on the interior of the head is a ship and an eagle with the phrases “FEB 15”, “1898”, and “MAINE” surrounding the image. On February 15th, 1898, the USS Maine was sunk by an explosion in the Havana harbor in Cuba. This led to a declaration of war from the United States against Spain, starting the Spanish-American War (Library of Congress). Souvenir spoons, like this one, were very popular in the 1890’s up until World War I and were often sold in catalogues or at tourist destinations (PBS). Souvenir spoons like this one were a way of showing patriotism especially during wartime. 

Library of Congress
2020 Today in History - February 15 https://www.loc.gov/item/today-in-history/february-15/#:~:text=On%20February%2015%2C%201898%2C%20an,and%20a%20declaration%20of%20war. accessed July 7, 2020.

PBS
2003-2014 History Of Souvenir Spoons https://www.pbs.org/opb/historydetectives/feature/history-of-souvenir-spoons/ accessed July 7, 2020.

Sterling Flatware Fashions
2010-2019 Silverplate Patterns - Arion Silver Plate https://www.sterlingflatwarefashions.com/SPPatterns/Arion.html accessed July 7, 2020.