Match Safes: 1977.10.9 – Gift of Noreen Braithwaite / 1980.1.115 – Gift of Jean Beauchamp / 1991.14.2 – Gift of Endicott / SHS1977.29.1-.2 – Gift of J. Pitts Elmore / SHS1985.15.15 – Gift of G. Victoria Lohr

These mystery objects were on fire during February, overwhelmingly winning this month’s slot for Artifact of the Month! Some folks may have guessed that these little, metal boxes were lighters, which is not too far off since they are indeed associated with making fire. However, these diverse artifacts are all various types of match safes. Early matches were unreliable because any friction could ignite them, even the friction of the matches rubbing against the inside of your pocket! This is why they are called match safes – not to keep your matches safe from the clutches of thieves, but to keep YOU safe from your matches!

Match safes, also called matchboxes or Vesta cases, were used extensively during the decades surrounding the turn of the 20th century. Most everyone carried strike-anywhere matches in portable match safes to ignite stoves and lanterns, as well as pipes and cigars. Vestas were short matches - named for Vesta, Roman goddess of hearth, home, and family - used primarily by smokers. Swan Match Company, in England, began making Vestas in 1861.

Come on down to the museum to check out Turtle Bay’s collection of match safes and to read more about these handy personal accessories!