Collections

Servant Call Box

Servant Call Box - Box, Call
Accession #: CH93.44
Title: Servant Call Box
Object Type: Box, Call
Participants:
Physical Description: Oak call box has fifteen arrows, fourteen of them designating various areas of Campbell House, that connect with mother-of-pearl buttons in the corresponding room or doorway. Restored to working order c.1988.
Description: Electric lighting for streets and homes came to Spokane soon after hydropower technology was available; a power station was constructed at the falls of the Spokane River as early as 1885. By 1898, numerous large Spokane homes, including the Campbell's, were constructed with combination gas and electric lighting, with gas as backup during power outages. Although the Campbells brought both gas and electricity to each chandelier and sconce, they appear to have relied on all-electric light fixtures in each location. For the reduced voltage needed by the telephone and Servants' Hall call bell (annunciator) systems, the household relied upon wet and dry cell batteries in a cellar cubby.
Category: Campbell Collection
Geographical Reference: Campbell House (Washington->Spokane County->Spokane)
Dimensions:
Object H x W x D 24 x 11 x 5 "
Materials/Techniques:
metal (Material)
oak (Material)

To order a reproduction, inquire about permissions, or for information about prices see:
https://www.northwestmuseum.org/collections