Radio

Description

Case of polished butternut with Bakelite control panel. Radio parts include three large dials, several small dials and knobs, and three headphone jacks. Brass hinges and arm to hold the lid open, and brass-plated handles. Metal corner caps on base edges. Four rubber or composition foot pads. Decorative wood pieces applied to the top and front below the control panel.

Notes

This radio was assembled by Elder Irving Greenwood (1876-1939), whose interest in modern science brought many products of modern technology to Canterbury. In 1908 he convinced the Canterbury Shakers to buy a car (on which he performed necessary maintenance), and to install electricity throughout the village in 1909-1910. When radio parts became available commercially in the early 1920s, Greenwood bought the radio components and housed them in the wooden (butternut) casing that he built specifically for that purpose. The speaker (#1952.11553.1) was manufactured by the Manhattan Electrical Company in New York and features a volume control. Greenwood entered the Shaker community at Canterbury in 1886, aged ten. He was originally born in Providence, Rhode Island, and signed the Church Covenant when he turned 21. When Greenwood died in 1939, he was the last brother to live at Canterbury. He was also the last male Elder of the Central Ministry.