H84.348.4

Berth Key. Description: "T"-shaped implement of brass, with steel ends at bottom and one crossbar ends of "T". Narrower steel end has square socket, larger steel end has "-O-" - shaped socket. Condition 3. Dimensions: 3" x 3-3/4" x 3/4" History: Issued to donor by his employer, the Pullman Company. Remarks: The socket on the thicker steel end was used to unlock sleeping berths in Pullman cars for lowering into sleeping position. The socket in the narrower end unlocked compartment walls to make suites, and also unlocked exterior windows for removal, the manner of admitting invalids and the handicapped to Pullman compartments. From the History Information Station: Object: T-shaped Pullman berth key, brass and steel. Used to unlock upper berths to be lowered into sleeping position, to unlock compartment walls to make suites, and to remove windows and doors to admit invalids. History: Every Pullman porter had a key, like this one, to the berths in his car. The top berth folded into the ceiling and had a spring-loaded door; the bottom folded directly into the wall. Bed linens were kept in the top berth during the day. To make up the berths for sleeping, the porter first opened the upper berth with this key, and took out the bed-clothes that were stowed in it. He then made up the two berths with the linens, according to strict Pullman Company procedures. The porter attached a strap between the two beds, and the weight of the bottom berth held the top down while he worked. Gift of Jewel Brown

Used: Jewel Brown ~ pullman porter | Pullman Company | Railroad