At some time in the far distant past, humans were able to domesticate fire, and this radically changed the way we prepared food. Cooking food became an important part of human life. In the beginning, cooking was done over an open flame, but with advances in metal technology, humans eventually learned how to contain fire in iron boxes and the wood-fired cook stove began to evolve. In 1802, British iron founder George Bodley patented a cast-iron range with a modern flue. This became the prototype for the cook stoves that dominated British and American kitchens.
Today museums have many examples of these wood-fired kitchen ranges. A few of these are shown below.
Lake Chelan Historical Society Museum, Chelan, Washington
Methodist Parsonage, Willamette Heritage Center, Salem, Oregon
The Methodist Parsonage, constructed in 1841, was originally the living quarters for the missionaries involved with the Oregon Mission Manual Labor School that would be built on the present-day campus of Willamette University in Salem. In 1844, the mission was disbanded, and the building became the parsonage for the Methodist Church. Today the Parsonage is at the Willamette Heritage Center.
The Jason Lee House, Willamette Heritage Center, Salem, Oregon
The Jason Lee House, constructed in 1841, is the oldest frame structure still standing in the Pacific Northwest. In 1965, the structure was moved to the Willamette Heritage Center in Salem where it was used as a museum.
The Boon House, Willamette Heritage Center, Salem, Oregon
The Boon House was constructed in 1847 and is believed to be the oldest single-family dwelling in Salem, Oregon. The first occupants were John D. Boon (1817-1864) and his family who had come to Oregon in a covered wagon on the Oregon Trail. The house was moved to its current location on the Willamette Heritage Center in Salem in 1972.
Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, Spokane, Washington
Shown above is a Monarch wood Cook stove from the early 20th century.
Campbell House, Spokane, Washington
Presby House Museum, Goldendale, Washington
Shown above is a sheepherder’s stove.
Shown above is the stove in the Homestead Cabin exhibit.
Wenatchee Valley Museum, Wenatchee, Montana
Museum of North Idaho, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
East Benton County Museum, Kennewick, Washington
Swan Valley Historical Museum, Condon, Montana
Fort Steele Heritage Village, British Columbia
The wood cooking stove in the Mather House was being used to bake cookies, corn bread, and bread. Notice the water tank on the right which contains water heated by the stove. The corn bread, by the way, was quite good.
This is the kitchen stove in the Scandinavian-style house.
Shown above is the stove in the Thomas McVittie House.
Shown above is the stove in the Officers Quarters kitchen.
Shown above is the stove in the Sergeants Mess.
Nevada City Living History Museum, Nevada City, Montana
Shown above is the cook stove in the Sedman House.
Shown above is the kitchen range in the Dupuis House.
Fort Dalles Museum, The Dalles, Oregon
Deschutes Historical Museum, Bend, Oregon
High Desert Museum, Bend, Oregon
Miracle of America Museum, Polson, Montana
Heritage Museum, Libby, Montana
Butterfield Cottage, Seaside, Oregon
Renton History Museum, Renton, Washington
Museums 201/301
This series compares similar exhibits from several museums. More from this series:
Museums 301: Sewing machines (photo diary)
Museums 301: Schools (photo diary)
Museums 301: Typewriters (photo diary)
Museums 201: Washing machines (photo diary)
Museums 201: Quilts (photo diary)
Museums 201: Bicycles (photo diary)
Museums 201: Mining Displays (photo diary)
Museums 201: Jails and prisons (photo diary)