Pie Safe

Object NamePie Safe

Date1890-1899

OriginUSA

MediumPine

Dimensions61 1/4 × 40 3/4 × 16 in. (155.6 × 103.5 × 40.6 cm)

ClassificationsFurniture

Credit LinePurchased by the Farm House Museum. In the Farm House Museum Collection, Farm House Museum, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.

Object number76.41.2

Status

On view

Collections

CultureAmerican

Label TextFrom the University Museums Collections Handbook, vol. 2, 2025: Pie safes like this one were essential kitchen furnishings in American households before the widespread use of ice chests or ice boxes. Carpenters specifically designed these cabinets to store and protect perishable food items such as bread, cured meats, ﬂours, and baked goods. Their primary function was to keep food cool, dry, and free from insects, rodents, and mold, ensuring that goods remain fresh for as long as possible. Before modern refrigeration, homemakers faced a constant concern regarding proper food storage and the pie safe provided a practical and effective solution for families. The use of pie safes in America dates to the 1800s when German immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania introduced this traditional cabinet. These immigrants, commonly referred to as the “Pennsylvania Dutch,” brought with them an expertise in furniture-making, crafting durable and functional kitchen storage solutions that quickly became a staple in American homes. This pie safe is an example of traditional design. Made of sturdy pine wood, it features doors with punched tin panels for ventilation, allowing air to circulate and keeping the contents cool, while providing protection from pests. Carpenters typically elevated pie safes off the ﬂoor to further deter insects and rodents. The punched tin panels often served not only a functional purpose but also an aesthetic one—many decorated with intricate patterns. The tinwork on this example features star motifs, a common patriotic decorative choice.

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