Secrets & Symbols: Child's Chest of Drawers

Chest of drawers, about 1914
William L. Hedgbeth, Sr. (1882–1966)
VMHC Collection, Gift of Llewellyn H. Hedgbeth in memory of her grandfather William L. Hedgbeth 

William Hedgbeth of Norfolk made this child-sized chest of drawers for his daughter Martha (1907–1988), the eldest of his four children. One can imagine the love he poured into his handiwork—embellishing the item with carved geometric designs—and the delight Martha took in using this customized piece.