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Pack Saddle

Description:

While this pack saddle does not date from the Revolutionary War, pack saddle technology did not change significantly, making this item fairly representative of the pack saddles of that Revolutionary War period. This pack saddle has semi-A shaped ends and is made primarily of wood. The front and rear portions of the packsaddle are tied together with wooden slats or stretchers. Metal braces have been fitted to each end of the pack saddle to strengthen it and keep it rigid.

According to Bill Pickard, Curator of Archaeology at the Ohio Historical Society, "packsaddles were affixed to the backs of rider-less horses or perhaps mules to support supplies for transportation over long distances. A number of pack animals, perhaps a couple dozen or more would be tethered together forming a “pack train” led by a relatively small number of handlers. In a time before wagon roads were cut through the wilderness this was often the most direct and efficient means of moving large quantities of supplies and other goods from one point to another. Considering an individual pack animal could easily handle 150 pounds or more of supplies a pack train of two dozen animals might account for as much as 2 tons of material."

See Bill's description of an archaeological find of a part from a similar packsaddle at Fort Pickawillany.

Creator:

Unknown

Creation Date:

1810-1820

Collection Title:

Saddle, pack

Collection Number:

H 14240

Image Number:

TAH1403

Ohio Social Studies Academic Content Standards

History 3-5

• Benchmark B: Describe the cultural patterns that are evident in North America today as a result of exploration, colonization and conflict.
• Grade 4, GLI 3: Explain the causes and effects of the frontier wars of the 1790s, including the Battle of Fallen Timbers, on American Indians in Ohio and the United States
• Grade 5, GLI 5: Explain how the United States became independent from Great Britian.

People and Societies 3-5

• Benchmark B: Explain the reasons people from various cultural groups came to North America and the consequences of their interactions with each other.
• Grade 4, GLI 2: Describe the impact of the expansion of European settlements on American Indians in Ohio

History 6-8

• Benchmark E: Explain the causes and consequences of the American Revolution, with emphasis on both Colonial and British perspectives.
• Grade 8, GLI 4. Explain the results of important developments of the American Revolution including: a. declaration of American independence; b. character and significance of the military struggle in the North in the early years of the war and the shift of the battle to the South after 1779; c. creation of state constitutions; d. impacts on women, African Americans and American Indians.
• Benchmark F: Explain the political and economic challenges faced by the United States after the Revolutionary War and the actions that resulted in the adoption of the U.S. Constitution.
• Grade 8, GLI 5. Explain major domestic problems faced by the leaders of the new republic under the Articles of Confederation including: maintaining national security; b. creating a stable economic system; c. dealing with war debts; d. collecting revenue; e. defining the authority of the central government

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