Pieter Van Peenen’s Trunk, c. 1863

Pieter Van Peenen’s Trunk, circa 1863

When Pieter Van Peenen set out from the Netherlands in 1863, he used this trunk to transport his worldly goods to the United States. On the front of the trunk, painted in black letters, is his destination: “Noard/America Kalamazoo, State Michan (sic) Pieter Van Peenen 1863.” The year is painted green, and yellow floral designs surround it. After Pieter’s arrival in Michigan, he worked as a general laborer but eventually became a bottler and saloon owner by the 1880s. He employed many other family members as bartenders and bottlers and left quite a bit of property for his children in his estate after he passed in 1905.

Object #2000.35.1

Off the Shelves
  1. Introduction
  2. Replica of King Tutankhamen’s Throne, pre-1980s
  3. Horse Model, c. 1870s
  4. Replica Radio-Controlled Model Airplane “Big Guff,” 1937
  5. Dutch Merchantman Model, Handmade, c. 1949
  6. Carrom Board, The Carrom Company, manufactured 1914-1939
  7. Flexible Flyer Sled, S.L. Allen and Company, Inc.
  8. Pieter Van Peenen’s Trunk, c. 1863
  9. Wheelchair, circa 1940s-1950s
  10. Child’s Ladder-Back Chair, 1840-1860
  11. Child’s Rocking Chair, mid-19th century
  12. Baby’s Highchair, 1830-1839
  13. Bassinet, Vermeulen Furniture Company, 1930
  14. Rocking Horse, Pony Boy Manufacturing Company, 1947-1948
  15. Edgars Krasts’ Trunk, c. 1951
  16. Work Table, date unknown
  17. Bicycle, “Mini Miss,” Stelber Bicycle Corporation, c. late 1960s
  18. Electric Stove, Kalamazoo Stove & Furnace Company, 1948-1950
  19. Electro Hygiene Vacuum Cleaner, c. 1940
  20. Pump Organ, Star Organ, c. 1870s
  21. Electric Phonograph Company, 1916-1918
  22. Regina Music Box, c. 1895
  23. Console Television, Model 2U172L Run 2, Magnavox, c. 1960
  24. Radio, Zenith Radio Company, 1940-1941
  25. Bass Drum, Barbour Hall Military Academy Band, c. 1950s-1979
  26. Chickering Piano, 1864
  27. Florentine Table, c. 1875
  28. Panama Pacific Exposition of 1915
  29. Carved Chair, purchased 1915
  30. Table, Hinoki Wood, 1915
  31. Settee, c. 1870
  32. Writing Desk and Chair, c. 1880
  33. Singer Sewing Machine, 1927
  34. Underwood Standard Bookkeeping Machine, post-1923
  35. Permanent Wave Machine, c. 1937
  36. Hoekstra’s Hardware Store Sign, 1940s-2017
  37. Test 'Ur Own' Radio and TV Tube Tester, c. Late 1950s - Early 1960s
  38. Telephone Switchboard, 555 PBX (Private Branch Exchange) model, 1955-1969