Milk Can

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This is a milk can from the Leslie N. Kelley and Sons Farm in Mount Airy, Maryland.  It is made of steel and has engraved copper plates soldered to the side and top.  The plates are engraved with Leslie N. Kelly and Sons Farm Mount Airy.

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Milk cans were used in the U.S. dairy farming system in the beginning of the 19th century.  Dairy farmers stored and transported the milk in these cans to their customers in town.  Milk cans were quite large, with the 10-gallon can, like this one, being the most popular.  This milk can was donated to the Historical Society by Truman & Lavinia Kelley.