I have a strange question, but I'm hoping someone can help.  I am a Curator
at a small historical society and am in the process of installing an exhibit
on the history of dessert in my region.  Like most small historical
societies, my collection consists of numerous objects that have no
provenance or description of use.  I did find within this vast range of
objects something labeled as a "sugar strainer."  It is a round wooden disk,
about 6 inches in diameter and roughly 2 inches thick, with a hole in the
middle (like a doughnut).  There is a hand-wrought nail sticking out on what
I'm guessing is the face.  Attached to this object is a note: "Sugar
strainer. Truck and hand made tack made by S.S. Wing."  (Wing was a local
man.)

My question is: does anybody know what this is or how it was used?  My first
thought was that it may have been used for maple sugaring or may be part of
a larger instrument.  Obviously, I do not want to include the object in the
exhibit unless I can explain its use.  Any ideas or suggestions would be
greatly appreciated!

Kate Higgins
Curator
Pejepscot Historical Society
159 Park Row
Brunswick, ME 04011
207-729-6606
207-729-6012 (fax)

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