The Red Oak Winslow Chair at Pilgrim Hall is an example of a jointed chair. Here a joiner would use squared off pieces of wood connected by mortise and tenon joints to make frames in which thin rectangular panels were set. Joined chairs were generally more expensive than other chairs as they took more time to build. A joined chair could take up to 55 hours to make. The most expensive option was a chair upholstered on the seat, back and arms, as textiles were extremely valuable. The Winslow Armchair in Pilgrim Hall has been restored to show luxurious red velvet upholstery and tassels typical of the early to mid 17th century.

2. BREWSTER CHAIR

The Brewster Chair was made between 1630-1670 of American White Ash and has descended down through the Brewster Family. Pilgrim Hall has had this chair since the early 1830's when it was donated by the Brewster Family of Duxbury.

It is believed to have belonged to William Brewster(c1566-1643), who was the spiritual leader of the colony and one of its most educated members. At the time of his death, Elder Brewster had one chair worth 4 shillings and another worth one shilling. The Brewster Chair and the Bradford chair are related to other turned chairs with broad seats found in Boston and Charlestown. Chairs are seldom signed.

Researchers have to make an educated guess who made them. Researchers examine documents, including probate inventories, to see who was the woodworker. Then they match the woodworkers and where they lived to the chairs and where they were found. Researchers identified a craftsman named John Eddy(1595-1684) who came to Plymouth from Kent in 1630 and soon moved to Watertown, west of Boston. The places Eddy worked correspond to the location of this group of chairs.

3. PEREGRINE WHITE CRADLE

According to tradition, Susanna and William White brought this cradle from Holland in anticipation of the birth of their child. Their son, named Peregrine, meaning "traveler" or "Pilgrim" was born aboard the Mayflower in Provincetown Harbor in November 1620. He was the first child born to the Pilgrims in America (Oceanus Hopkins was born on Board the Mayflower during the Atlantic crossing).

The hooded wicker cradle is typical of those made in Holland. Similar cradles can be seen in period Dutch paintings. Willow osiers, or shoots, that form the cradle were woven into a checker pattern. The osiers range in size from 1-1/4" on the sides to 3/4" on the floor. Scholars have found evidence that such cradles were also imported into Plymouth later in the century.

Whether this cradle came with the White family or was purchased later, it is a symbol of the Pilgrims' commitment to staying in America and raising their families. It was made C. 1620 in Holland and descended through the Peregrine White Family.

4. THE FULLER CRADLE

"The Fuller Cradle is made of Maple and white Pine. It was made in Duxbury between 1680-1720 and descended through the Samuel Fuller Family. The open work at the front of the cradle made it possible for the mother to see a sleeping baby from almost any position. The construction of the cradle is interesting. It looks like jointed work. Actually it is made of solid pine boards with strips of wood nailed on to imitate joined panels. The cradle may have been made by a carpenter rather than a joiner. The shape of the turnings on the tops of the rear posts is similar to turnings seen on furniture found in Duxbury.

5. THE BREWSTER CHEST

The Brewster Chest is made of Norway Pine and iron. It was probably made in Holland in the 17th century and descended through the Brewster family. It is believed that Elder Brewster brought this chest from Holland on the Speedwell and to America on the Mayflower in 1620. At the time the Pilgrims lived in Holland, pine from Norway was plentiful, as a result of extensive trade between the two countries.