Wooten Desks Photos

Wooten Desks are essentially a lockable office on wheels complete with a mail slot so clients could leave letters. The desk had two doors, each containing an array of cubbyholes, which swung open to provide more work space or shut to protect the owner's privacy when away. Wooten Desks were patented (1870) & produced until 1884. Copycat desks were produced by others, but usually had only one swing-open door to circumvent the Wooten's patent. Knock-off desks are included for comparison.

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Wooton desk made in Indianapolis at Museum of Western Art. Kerrville, TX.Some of the 110 compartments in Wooton desk at Museum of Western Art. Kerrville, TX.Mail slot in Wooton desk at Museum of Western Art. Kerrville, TX.Decorative finials atop Wooton desk at Museum of Western Art. Kerrville, TX.
Wooton desk made in Indianapolis (1874-97) at Museum of Western Art. Kerrville, TX.Some of the 110 compartments in Wooton desk at Museum of Western Art. Kerrville, TX.Mail slot in Wooton desk at Museum of Western Art. Kerrville, TX.Decorative finials atop Wooton desk at Museum of Western Art. Kerrville, TX.
Wooten-style desk rolls on its wheels at Arizona History Museum. Tucson, AZ.Wooten-style desk could lock shut to keep contents private at Arizona History Museum. Tucson, AZ.Patented desk by Wooton Desk Co. at Oakland Museum of California. Oakland, CA.Wooten Patent Desk from Indiana at A.R. Mitchell Museum of Western Art. Trinidad, CO.
Wooten-style desk rolls on its wheels at Arizona History Museum. Tucson, AZ.Wooten-style desk could lock shut to keep contents private at Arizona History Museum. Tucson, AZ.Patented desk (1874-6) by Wooton Desk Co. at Oakland Museum of California. Oakland, CA.Wooten Patent Desk (1874-97) from Indiana at A.R. Mitchell Museum of Western Art. Trinidad, CO.
Wooten Patent Desk from Indiana at A.R. Mitchell Museum of Western Art. Trinidad, CO.Mail slot on Wooten Patent Desk at A.R. Mitchell Museum of Western Art. Trinidad, CO.Wooten Patent Desk beside cast iron stove in drug store office at Mystic Seaport. Mystic, CT.Cubbyhole desk in museum section of old Nevada State Capitol. Carson City, NV.
Wooten Patent Desk (1874-97) from Indiana at A.R. Mitchell Museum of Western Art. Trinidad, CO.Mail slot on Wooten Patent Desk (1874-97) at A.R. Mitchell Museum of Western Art. Trinidad, CO.Wooten Patent Desk (1874-97) beside cast iron stove in drug store office at Mystic Seaport. Mystic, CT.Cubbyhole desk in museum section of old Nevada State Capitol. Carson City, NV.
Swing-open desk with storage drawers in Garfield Presidential Library at Garfield home. Mentor, OH.Harrison's law office swing-open desk with storage drawers made by worker of Wooten workshop who went independent at Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site. Indianapolis, IN.Swing-open desk with storage drawers used by Harrison in his downtown Indianapolis office at Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site. Indianapolis, IN.Wooten style desk in library at Vaile Mansion. Independence, MO.
Swing-open desk with storage drawers in Garfield Presidential Library at Garfield home. Mentor, OH.Harrison's law office swing-open desk with storage drawers made by worker of Wooten workshop who went independent at Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site. Indianapolis, IN.Swing-open desk with storage drawers used by Harrison in his downtown Indianapolis office at Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site. Indianapolis, IN.Wooten style desk in library at Vaile Mansion. Independence, MO.
Moore Combination Desk of Indianapolis which could be closed for transport by train or wagon at Vaile Mansion. Independence, MO.Moore Combination Desk of Indianapolis with slide out surface so work-in-progress need not be disturbed at Vaile Mansion. Independence, MO.Unique mechanical desk acquired by John P. Hale , co-founder of WV State Museum at West Virginia State Museum. Charleston, WV.Swing open desk in Mrs. Kyle's bedroom at Campbell House Museum. St. Louis, MO.
Moore Combination Desk of Indianapolis (c1882) which could be closed for transport by train or wagon at Vaile Mansion. Independence, MO.Moore Combination Desk of Indianapolis (c1882) with slide out surface so work-in-progress need not be disturbed at Vaile Mansion. Independence, MO.Unique mechanical desk acquired (c1870) by John P. Hale , co-founder of WV State Museum at West Virginia State Museum. Charleston, WV.Swing open desk in Mrs. Kyle's bedroom at Campbell House Museum. St. Louis, MO.
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All photos on this page are originals by & copyrighted by Jim Steinhart.
All rights reserved. Permission required to use.

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