[SUBMITTED PHOTO]This crock was actually a “cooler.” Early German settlers wanted a creek or spring close by where they could build a four-wall spring house over the coolest part. A hole was put in each end to let the water flow through. A low door allowed entry to a walkway beside a water trough that ran the full length of the spring house. The women of the house kept their crocks filled with milk, butter and schmiercase (like cottage cheese) in the trough to keep it cool. This crock was used by Mary Jane Firebaugh Wood and Annie Custer Wood. It is upstairs in the Botetourt Historical Museum Pioneer Room.
