Clothing & Accessories - Overview
Work, play, fashion, economic class, religious faith, even politics—all these aspects of American life and more are woven into clothing. The Museum cares for one of the nation's foremost collections of men's, women's, and children's garments and accessories—from wedding gowns and military uniforms to Halloween costumes and bathing suits.
The collections include work uniforms, academic gowns, clothing of presidents and first ladies, T-shirts bearing protest slogans, and a clean-room "bunny suit" from a manufacturer of computer microchips. Beyond garments, the collections encompass jewelry, handbags, hair dryers, dress forms, hatboxes, suitcases, salesmen's samples, and thousands of fashion prints, photographs, and original illustrations. The more than 30,000 artifacts here represent the changing appearance of Americans from the 1700s to the present day.
"Clothing & Accessories - Overview" showing 5 items.
Environmental Button
- Description
- The first Earth Day was held on April 22, 1970. The occasion was first conceived by Gaylord Nelson, a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, as a national day of observance for environmental problems. Millions of people participated in events across the country, while thousands of schools held special educational sessions, all dealing with environmental concerns. Earth Day has since become an annual event, celebrated worldwide.
- Date made
- 1970
- maker
- Edward Horn Co.
- ID Number
- 1993.3186.04
- catalog number
- 1993.3186.04
- nonaccession number
- 1993.3186
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Environmental Button
- Description
- David Powell, a University of Pennsylvania graduate, designed this button for the Philadelphia Earth Week Committee on the occasion of the first Earth Day in 1970. The button was made by Horn Badge Co. of Glenside, Pennsylvania.
- Date made
- 1970
- maker
- Edward Horn Co.
- ID Number
- 1993.3186.05
- catalog number
- 1993.3186.05
- nonaccession number
- 1993.3186
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Environmental Button
- Description
- The peace sign was created in 1958 as part of the British nuclear disarmament movement. The image combines the letters “N” (nuclear) and “D” (disarmament) from the semaphore (flag signaling) alphabet. During the 1960s and 1970s the sign became a ubiquitous symbol in the United States for a multitude of causes, including the peace and civil rights movements. On this button, the symbol has been made into a tree, evoking concern and care for the environment.
- Date made
- 1970
- maker
- Edward Horn Co.
- ID Number
- 1993.3186.07
- nonaccession number
- 1993.3186
- catalog number
- 1993.3186.07
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Environmental Button
- Description
- The first Earth Day was held on April 22, 1970. The occasion was first conceived by Gaylord Nelson, a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, as a national day of observance for environmental problems. Millions of people participated in events across the country, while thousands of schools held special educational sessions, all dealing with environmental concerns. Earth Day has since become an annual event, celebrated worldwide.
- Date made
- 1970
- maker
- Edward Horn Co.
- ID Number
- 1993.3186.08
- nonaccession number
- 1993.3186
- catalog number
- 1993.3186.08
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Environmental Button
- Description
- Several types of renewable energy sources are available as alternatives to non-renewable carbon based energy sources. This button advocates the use of solar energy to generate electricity.
- Date made
- 1978
- maker
- Edward Horn Co.
- ID Number
- 2003.0014.0400
- accession number
- 2003.0014
- catalog number
- 2003.0014.0400
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center