Long before neon lights, livestock auctions, and carnival rides took over the fairgrounds in Walton, survival along the West Branch of the Delaware River was dictated by simpler, harsher rhythms: the heat of a cast-iron stove, the flick of a tin toaster over open flames, and the tireless labor of early settlers forging a life in the wilderness.
This August, as the Delaware County Fair opens its gates for the 139th time, the Walton Historical Society is stepping back to the region’s foundational roots to commemorate the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States. Sidestepping military exhibits to focus on daily domestic resilience, the historical society’s annual fair booth is transforming into a window into colonial household life.
While the town of Walton was formally established in 1797 - following the initial arrival of settlers in 1785 - the everyday implements that sustained those early families remained largely unchanged well into the 19th century. To bridge that gap, the society is showcasing authentic, vintage domestic tools that directly mirror the technology available during the 1750s and 1770s.
“We want to honor the nation’s 250 anniversary,” said Jason Schwartz, president of the Walton Historical Society, explaining this year’s exhibit focus.
The showcase focuses on the ingenuity of colonial life, bringing visitors face-to-face with the everyday artifacts of early American survival.
Among the featured items is an early iteration of a staple appliance: a hearth-side toaster. Made of heavy metal work designed to sit directly over open flames or potbelly stoves, the device held bread in place before requiring the user to manually flip it over to brown the other side.
The exhibit also highlights the evolution of laundry care, featuring heavy cast-iron irons - historically known as “sad irons,” where “sad” derived from an Old English word meaning solid or heavy. Some models featured hollowed interior fireboxes designed to hold glowing coals or heated inserts directly inside the iron to sustain heat.
Schwartz pointed out the distinct heavy construction and internal heating chamber. “They put these on a stove, on the potbelly stoves... then they would iron their clothes.”
Beyond irons and toasters, fairgoers will see an array of practical utensils that defined 18th-century life, including hand-cranked meat grinders, water ladles, and early kerosene lamps that lit Delaware County homes before the advent of electricity.
Together, the collection offers fairgoers a tangible connection to the early homesteaders who cleared the valley and laid the groundwork for Delaware County’s rich agricultural heritage.
The Walton Historical Society booth will be open throughout the week of the Delaware County Fair, inviting visitors to pause amid the modern festivities and reflect on the quiet craftsmanship that built the community centuries ago.
