Feather Duster

MediumWood, Feathers

Dimensions24 × 12 in. diameter (61 × 30.5 cm)

ClassificationsHousehold, Kitchen, Miscellaneous

Credit LineGift of Mary Barton. In the Farm House Museum Collection, Farm House Museum, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.

Object number77.5.2

Status

On view

Collections

Label TextThe feather duster, a simple yet effective cleaning tool, has its origins in the 19th century. It is traditionally made from soft feathers—often ostrich, turkey, or chicken—attached to a handle, allowing it to trap and remove dust from surfaces without scratching or spreading it into the air. The feather duster emerged during a period when domestic cleanliness became increasingly important, particularly in Victorian households, where dusting intricate furniture, chandeliers, and decorative objects was a regular chore. Excerpt from “Farewell To The Feather Duster,” American Heritage, August 1974: “When a Chicagoan named William Hoag got snowbound in Monticello, Iowa, in 1872, he passed the time by inventing the turkey feather duster. It was a simple enough idea, but nobody had thought of it before. Turkey feathers are a natural magnet for dust, and Hoag’s invention made things a little easier for generations of janitors, librarians, housewives, and maids. Hoag set up a factory in Monticello, and for a century he and his descendants manufactured millions of brightly colored feather dusters. In his threestory factory feathers were steam-cleaned, sorted out by length, and dyed, split, and bundled together on wooden handles. Monticello residents grew old in the service of the Hoag Duster Company and passed on to have their places taken by their children and grandchildren.” Over time, synthetic materials were also introduced, but the traditional feather duster remains valued for delicate cleaning tasks and continues to be a symbol of efficient, elegant household maintenance. “Farewell To The Feather Duster,” American Heritage, August 1974. Vol 25, Issue 5.

MarkingsHoags Duster Co.

Locations