Historical Museum

Located in La Conner

"Come to the top of the hill for a spectacular view of Skagit County history"

Sour kraut vat

This Red Wing brand vat was a common item in the general store as a sale item and as a storage container for food. This large size was used for the making of sour kraut, a pickled food made of cabbage. It stands 22" tall. The vat is type of was glazed pottery called crockery. Crocks came in all sizes from pint size crocks for storing butter and soft cheeses to crocks for making pickles, mincemeat, and other pickled foods.

A 1908 cookbook, Smiley's New and Complete Guide for Housekeepers Illustrated gives advice on pickles.

Keeping Pickles

Pickles will become soft and spoil if exposed to the air, so that they should always be kept covered with vinegar; there should be 2 or 3 inches of vinegar over them.
Pickles should be kept in a dry, cool place, but they will be spoiled if they freeze. They are best kept in stone or glass; never use glazed jars, as the salt and vinegar will dissolve out the little lead which is used in glazing and form the poisonous acetate of lead.