Elizabeth Farrey graduated in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in Public History from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Currently, she serves on the board of directors of the Whitewater Historical Society, as well as the Society’s collections manager. Her research focuses include general Wisconsin history, agricultural history, and organizational history.

By This Author:

Esterly Broadcast Seeder - Seeder on large wagon wheels

OBJECT HISTORY: Esterly Broadcast Seeder

Shortly after his arrival in the town of Whitewater, Wisconsin, in 1843, George Esterly began manufacturing a variety of award-winning farming implements, including this broadcast seeder, a later model built in the 1870s at the height of the Esterly Manufacturing Company’s prosperity. Before such inventions, farmers had to scatter their seed by hand before covering it with a plow.

Esterly Harvesting Machinery Company

Industry and Manufacturing in the Whitewater Area

Since the earliest settlers arrived in the Whitewater area in the 1830s, industry and manufacturing have played important roles in the establishment and continued growth of the area.