The Finished Wheelchair

I started on the wheelchair repair project in October.
http://shenandoahgatewayfarm.blogspot.com/2013/10/great-grandmothers-wheelchair.html

I didn't want to start on it earlier, because there was no point in getting it ready to be re-caned and not have some one to do the work.  We found Alice Higgins in Verona and she agreed to do the work.  Being cheap Not wanting to overwhelm her, I did the wood restoration myself.

 

We drove up and got it yesterday.  The new cane is obvious, but I was convinced to let it age naturally rather than staining it.  The colors will be close in about three years.  It is harder to see the repairs on the caning in the arms (the left arm).

 

It will hold people, but I hope no one sits in it.  If they do, I hope they don't press down on the cane arms to get up.  It needs to last the rest of my lifetime.  I doubt I will be willing to pay more to repair it than it is worth a second time!

We have placed it in the B&B rooms.  I chose to cover the new wicker with an "artfully" (my word) draped family quilt.  And I fully admit, my artful needs some help.  My Aunt Suzy is bringing me some of my mother's old dolls to place in it.  Naturally, after I find a doll hospital to repair them.....(Is that another project?)

 

Lee said, "Why pay to get it fixed if you are just going to cover it up."  I hate logical, engineering thinking.

"I want to keep people from sitting in it."

 

Will it?  Quilt or no quilt?  You tell me.

More Wheelchair

I have the bestest fambly.  I sent out requests for them to let me know what they remembered about the wheelchair I am attempting to repair and restore.

Aunt Suzy:

 

Mother's address was 2702 - S. 29th and I don't recognize the name on it tho'.  I couldn't read it very well.  It was never in use by anyone when we were little so that's why we were able to play with it.
 

It seems like it was natural to me but maybe Pete would remember - he's not as old as I am!!!!!

Cousin Saja:

Becca, Now you know why I didn't want to get rid of it, but didn't know what to do with it either. I applaud your handiwork! The last name looks like Adams on the seat. And the first name looks like Sarah to me. Which would make sense because I believe that was the chair that was used for Grandmama's sister Georgia when she had tuberculosis. I think I remember of picture of Georgia in it when I was living at Grandmama's. I bet your mom would remember.


And my Uncle Pete:

 

Becca,

 

Somewhere there is a picture of our Aunt Georgia (Mother's sister who died of tuberculosis before I was born) sitting in that wheelchair in your great Grandmother's back yard.  That's the brick house across the street from Mother's house in Ashland.  If I run across it, I'll send it to you.  Also Charles Ernest used that chair while he was convalescing from his appendectomy back in the late 30's.

See why I love them?  I ask a question and they all get back to me with great stories to go with this chair.

See why I am miffed at Saja?  She KNEW it would cost me a fortune.  She KNEW I would never throw it away.  When I die I am leaving it to MY kids.

On the other hand, what will they do with it?  Saja's kids will probably end up with it.  She's pretty sneaky...