Market Wagon

Market wagons were used to transport produce from rural areas and manufactured goods to local markets or distant city marketplaces. Frequently, these wagons travelled on flat-bed railroad cars or by ferry to reach their ultimate destination.

This market wagon has a typically deep body with overhanging ledges, supported by metal rods, to accommodate large loads. The red body, set on platform springs, has thumbprint chamfered panel sides and a hinged door at the rear. The ledge panels are decorated with multi-colored stencil work. Black and red striping accentuate the yellow undercarriage. The high driver's seat has a folding canvas hood and a footbrake, which runs from the rear wheels up through the driver's footboard. The produce would have been stacked as high as possible, nearly level with the top of the hood, covered with a tarp and secured with ropes. The vehicle would have been driven with a pair of large horses.

This market wagon, used to transport produce, was originally owned by G. Howland Leavitt whose business operated out of Bayside, Long Island. It was given to The Museums in memory of the owner and his daughter by three of his grandchildren.