They're shoe "lasts", and meant to keep a pair of shoes open to the air so that they dry from sweaty feet while wearing them...

Love that Martha Washington!! Wish I could find one around here...maybe someday! :)

DH grandmother had two Martha Washington cabinets. They sat either side of her buffet. We have one and DH brother has the other.

What a wonderful thing to have given you! That is a beautiful cabinet!

I have this exact cabinet (but in better condition) that I've had for at least 25 years or so. I bought it at our church auction one year. I don't have room in my sewing room so I use it for our telephone, telephone book and address book in one of our other rooms. I've had so many comments from family and friends on it. I know you'll love yours as much as I do when you get it cleaned up. I use Old English on it and the wood grain is beautiful :) Enjoy!

Shoe stretchers...

I have the same cabinet with a White sewing machine in it. Tried to sell it in a yard sale, twice, with no takers so I stored it in the garage. Too bad the roof leaked and ruined it. :(

Dream cabinet Martha Washington type. Enjoy!

Pitty You do not live in my neck of the woods do you. I would take it off your hands if DH thought he could salvage it.

I thought the deep side bins would be wonderful for yarn and knitting projects needles included. This is one of the reasons I hope to run into one some day as we also do knitting.

I have a cabinet just like it that I am going to re-finish. the things are shoe trees used to stretch your shoes, or keep them in good shape.