Forest:Human Influence:Decorative Arts

Illinois forests offered oak, ash, maple and other beautiful hardwoods that furniture makers and woodcarvers could use for making pieces of furniture and other household items. Today, woodworkers still use fallen local trees as a source of their wood. However, this source of wood is not as abundant as it once was.

Settlers in Illinois used wood from trees on their property to build their homes and make their furniture, tools, and utensils. Later woodworkers used fallen logs and trees salvaged from farms and other land to carve sculptures, decoys, pictures, and furniture. Here are some examples of the Illinois State Museum's folk and decorative arts made by Illinois artists and craftsmen between 1830 and today.

Pie Safe		Secretary
Gathering Basket		Secretary
Bookcase		Side Table