Named in honor of President Thomas Jefferson and his mechanical aptitude, the Jeffersonian Collection features antique-looking rain, wind, and temperature gauges made of brass, stainless steel, and glass. Don’t be fooled by the beauty of the design and materials. These artistic pieces are truly functional gauges. The rain gauge, for example, can measure rainfall up to five inches, in one-fifth-inch increments. A red ball within the vial catches rainwater rises as the rain continues, in turn causing a stainless-steel arm to indicate the inches. The Jeffersonian wind instrument reveals both direction and speed, up to 40 miles per hour. A lovely, cobalt-blue glass ball acts as a counterbalance, keeping the speed indicator steady while informing you of the wind’s direction. As for the thermometer, it displays both Fahrenheit and Celsius, and the temperatures are readable—and accurate—even in full sunlight. (Some other manufacturers’ thermometers are thrown off by sunlight, displaying higher than exact temperatures.) Each Jeffersonian Collection instrument comes with a pressure-treated wooden stake to firmly place it in the ground. If you prefer to hang them, there is a hanger bolt available, allowing for installation on your deck railing or fence. Each also comes with a lifetime guarantee. Prices range from $219.99 to $271.99. weems-plath.com. —Diane M. Byrne
