The antique sad iron was a household iron made out of cast iron connected to a detachable handle made out of metal and wood. It would be heated on a stove then it could be used as an iron. When not being used it could be used as a doorstop or bookend. This specific iron was patented and produced in Geulph, Ontario. If we continue to have power outages or if our power goes out completely we could use these again.
At the time, sad irons — named from the Old English “sad,” meaning “solid” — were cast entirely in solid metal. The invention of the cast-iron cook stove in the 1820s, which made it easier to heat irons, had helped popularize their use. As one iron cooled, another could be taken off the stove.
If you would like to learn more about similar things or would like to come visit and share stories about our town or North Thompson Valley history, please contact: The North Thompson Museum & Archives at: bd1986heritage@gmail.com
The museum is located at: 343 Lilley Road in Barriere
Submitted by the Barriere and District Heritage Society's summer student.
