National Museum of American History
Rural Electrification
May 1, 1985 – July 30, 1985
See 16 photographs, documents, and objects highlighting the 50 years since the Rural Electrification Administration was established from plans developed by Morris L. Cooke. On view are a lantern used by Harry S. Truman in his youth to light his way to feed the horses; a sadiron heated on wood stoves; and a 1930s electric vacuum cleaner. Rural American women, daily affected by inconveniences, were a driving force behind the movement to acquire electricity, which transformed farm life.
