Historic Hood River

Notes

Grace selected this fun object to start our week:  a “nest egg” bank from our collection.

This egg-shaped coin bank is 3″ tall and features a metal plate reading “First National Bank – Hood River, Ore.” A close look reveals several early 1950s wheat pennies still locked away inside. In the 1950s, a trend of nest egg coin banks emerged. These were typically made from plastic or ceramic and often read “Baby’s Nest Egg.”  This bank, made of a sturdy metal, may be older. Our database gives the object a wide year range from 1900 to 1960. The December 15, 1921, issue of The Hood River Glacier reported, “Nest Egg Banks Attract.” A display of nest egg banks was arranged at the First National Bank, “carrying a suggestion of a Christmas present to the youngsters that will imbue them with commendable thrift.” The exhibit was said to have attracted widespread attention. Possibly there’s a connection here?

As pennies disappear from our daily lives, it’s getting harder to remember the time when saving your pennies for a future emergency or treat meant something.

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