Speaker

Description

Metal base (a) with label and volume control, and fiber horn (b) which fits into a cone-shaped orifice at the top of the base. Brown enamel finish on base; horn painted deep red. Label reads "<-- SOFT-- the Concert Modulator --LOUD--> / MANHATTAN ELECTRICAL SUPPLY CO. INC / LOUD SPEAKER No 2555".

Notes

This radio (#1952.5080.1) 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 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.