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Foil chewing gum wrappers give sparkle to this box.
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Cultural Objects, Folk Art

Gum Wrapper Trinket Box

People
Maker/Creator: Unknown
Date
1960s
Places
Willis (Burks Fork District)
Material/Medium

Chewing gum wrappers

Specifications
  • Length: 6 inches
  • Width: 6 inches
  • Height: 3 inches
Description

This box is made from folding foil chewing gum wrappers into interlocking ribbons. The corners form scalloped edges. No hinges are visible but the lid is secured to the sides of the box which were built up layer by layer.

Keywords
Paper folding, prison art, tramp art, hobo art
Notes

In 1906 the State Convict Road Force was created as part of a “good roads” law passed by the Virginia Legislature. It set up mobile convict road camps for use by the Highway Commission. By 1927, Camp 24 was operating in Floyd County with convicts working on Rt. 221 from Hillsville to Roanoke.

In 1939, Virginia State Road Camp 5 housed a population of 95 in a secure compound at Willis. This camp operated until the 1960s.