c. 1900 Handmade Wooden Sleigh

 This wooden sleigh was reportedly handmade by William Loffelbein around the turn of the twentieth century.  An alternative to using a buggy or wagon for travel, the sleigh was ideal for snowy or icy conditions when horses would have difficulty pulling a wheeled vehicle. This sleigh, like its neighbor in this exhibit, may have been used for enjoyment, although it also may have been used for emergency travel, or for running errands during the cold and snowy winter months. If you look closely, you can see the whip socket on the front right side of the sleigh.