Manufactured locally in Wagga, this stool was built from a rectangular wooden crate which has been upholstered with a fabric of the era.  The end of a Golden Fleece motor spirit crate has been inserted inside, to create a shelf.  The crate exterior is covered in a green, red, yellow and cream floral fabric, and the seat cushioned with padding.  The fabric has been upholstered with brass tacks around the top.  A gathered piece of the same fabric hangs at one end of the stool to create a curtain to hide the objects stored within. 

This stool was most probably part of a bedroom dressing table suite.  It is a fine example of the ingenious furniture made from utilitarian, everyday objects like produce crates which were then beautified as much as the austere conditions of the Great Depression would allow. 

While many surviving examples of contemporary make-do furniture were replaced following the Depression, or were relegated to the shed, this piece was still in use until it was donated to the Museum in 2010.  Perhaps its owner held onto it for sentimental reasons?  Perhaps it was the practicality of the object that was its saving grace?  From the 1940s, owner Eric stored shoe brushes, tins and bottles of shoe polish and an old hand sewn leather shoe shine pad inside the seat. 

These latter items have now become part of this item's story, and have been retained in the Museum collection alongside this tangible piece of Great Depression history.