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Architecture/Strange cabinet in attic of historic home

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Expert: Rikki Nyman - 10/10/2008


Question
I am a docent at the Mattie Beal Historical home in Lawton, OK. The home was built in 1907 and renovated in 1923- it had indoor plumbing and electricity. We found an odd metal cabinet in the attic. It is about 2 1/2 ft tall by 1 ft and 4 inched deep. The door opens outward and the top part of the door flips up. There are vents at the top and bottom of the door. Our only guess is maybe they dropped coal into it and it filtered heat into the room thru the vents. If you have any insight as to what this cabinet could be we would greatly appreciate it.

Answer
Is there any way you could take picture and post it to Flickr or Photobucket?  It's very difficult to visualize the metal box you describe. Off hand, it doesn't sound like a heating device because you don't mention any venting.

A photo would help me research it.

Best regards,
Rikki Nyman
www.antiquehomestyle.com

Architecture

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Rikki Nyman

Expertise

Residential architectural questions concerning houses designed between 1900 and 1950, where the question pertains specifically to styles, designs, plans, building materials, color schemes, paint colors, interior finishes and so on. I am NOT qualified to answer engineering questions or issues involving construction methods, plumbing, electrical and the like. For example, I can describe what an appropriate color scheme would be for a vintage 1920s kitchen, or sources for plans for Storybook Style houses. I can not tell someone how to replace the electrical wiring in their old home.

Experience

I have been researching old houses and writing about them for more than five years. (See www.antiquehomestyle.com, which is my site.)

Organizations
Oregon Historical Society Architectural History Center, Portland Oregon

Publications
www.antiquehomestyle.com

Education/Credentials
B.S. History, Minor in Architectural Design

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