- Manufactured by
- Unidentified
- Used by
- Black Men of Labor, Inc., American, founded 1994
- Date
- late 20th century - early 21st century
- Medium
- steel, wood
- Dimensions
- H x W x D: 12 × 3 1/2 × 3 1/2 in. (30.5 × 8.9 × 8.9 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 metal and wood pointing trowel. The trowel has a metal, diamond shaped blade with a metal and wood handle. The handle has rounded edges and is made of a light colored wood. The handle is connected to the blade by a metal ferrule. The shank of the trowel is painted black.
- Place used
- New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana, United States, North and Central America
- Classification
- Tools and Equipment
- Type
- pointing trowels
- Topic
- Associations and institutions
- Building Arts
- Communities
- Fraternal organizations
- Holidays and festivals
- Jazz (Music)
- Labor
- Men
- Ornamentation
- Social reform
- Societies
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of The Black Men of Labor, Inc.
- Object number
- 2015.260.8
- Restrictions & Rights
- No Known Copyright Restrictions
- Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.




