On View
Cultural Expressions Gallery
Exhibition
Cultural Expressions
Manufactured by
Marshalltown, American, founded 1890
Used by
Black Men of Labor, Inc., American, founded 1994
Date
ca. 2003
Medium
steel
Dimensions
H x W x D: 1 5/16 × 10 × 15/16 in. (3.3 × 25.4 × 2.4 cm)
Caption
The Black Men of Labor (BMOL) is an exclusively all-male krewe, or parading group in New Orleans founded in 1993. The founding generation of the organization all came from building arts trade families and the group originally paraded the Sunday of Labor Day weekend in honor of the working men and women of New Orleans.
This masonry tool was used by the organization in New Orleans for educational purposes, helping to demonstrate brick making and the building arts.
The mission of the BMOL is to "educate, preserve and perpetuate the rich African and African American culture of New Orleans traditional Jazz music. Through arts and culture the BMOL promote civic engagement and creates opportunity for those interested in building sustainable income and wealth" (Black Men of Labor 2013). BMOL is one of many benevolent societies that were created in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries to help free and enslaved Africans cope with financial hardships.
Description
A steel brick jointer tool, manufactured by Marshalltown. Each end has a different size curve, for making different sized joints. Left curve is larger than right, and the curve points down on the left, while the right end points up. Etched in the center reads [MARSHALLTOWN] with [83] underneath on the left, and [USA] underneath on the right.
Place used
New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana, United States, North and Central America
Place made
Marshalltown, Marshall County, Iowa, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Tools and Equipment-Occupational
Type
jointers
Topic
Associations and institutions
Building Arts
Communities
Fraternal organizations
Labor
Men
Social reform
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of The Black Men of Labor, Inc.
Object number
2015.260.10
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5539f815c-cfc8-477c-9d90-b1ba0115755d

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

Share this page