Cultures & Communities

Furniture, cooking wares, clothing, works of art, and many other kinds of artifacts are part of what knit people into communities and cultures. The Museum’s collections feature artifacts from European Americans, Latinos, Arab Americans, Asian Pacific Americans, African Americans, Gypsies, Jews, and Christians, both Catholics and Protestants. The objects range from ceramic face jugs made by enslaved African Americans in South Carolina to graduation robes and wedding gowns. The holdings also include artifacts associated with education, such as teaching equipment, textbooks, and two complete schoolrooms. Uniforms, insignia, and other objects represent a wide variety of civic and voluntary organizations, including youth and fraternal groups, scouting, police forces, and firefighters.

This engraved woodblock of "Marble Canyon” was prepared by engraver Edward Bookhout (1844-1886) and the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the print was published in 1875 as Figure 26 (p.77) in Report of the Exploration of the Colorado River of the West and Its Tribu
Description
This engraved woodblock of "Marble Canyon” was prepared by engraver Edward Bookhout (1844-1886) and the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the print was published in 1875 as Figure 26 (p.77) in Report of the Exploration of the Colorado River of the West and Its Tributaries. Explored in 1869, 1870, 1871, and 1872, under the direction of the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution by John Wesley Powell (1834-1902). Thomas Moran (1837-1926) accompanied Powell on his expedition and drew the original image.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1875
1875
original artist
Moran, Thomas
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
printer
Government Printing Office
author
Powell, John Wesley
graphic artist
Bookhout, Edward
block maker
V. W. & Co.
ID Number
1980.0219.0259
catalog number
1980.0219.0259
accession number
1980.0219
This engraved woodblock of an “Australian grave and carved trees” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Figure 37 (p.76) in an article by Garrick Mallery (1831-1894) entitled “Pictographs of the North American Indians: a pr
Description
This engraved woodblock of an “Australian grave and carved trees” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Figure 37 (p.76) in an article by Garrick Mallery (1831-1894) entitled “Pictographs of the North American Indians: a preliminary paper” in the Fourth Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian, 1882-83.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1886
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
printer
Government Printing Office
author
Mallery, Garrick
block maker
J. J. & Co.
ID Number
1980.0219.1206
catalog number
1980.0219.1206
accession number
1980.0219
This hand-modeled and molded, unglazed red earthenware pitcher honors Frederick Douglass, "Slave Orator/ United States Marshall, Recorder of Deeds D.C./ Diplomat."Although the maker is unknown, we do know that the design for the pitcher was copyrighted by a J. E.
Description
This hand-modeled and molded, unglazed red earthenware pitcher honors Frederick Douglass, "Slave Orator/ United States Marshall, Recorder of Deeds D.C./ Diplomat."
Although the maker is unknown, we do know that the design for the pitcher was copyrighted by a J. E. Bruce of Albany, New York, in 1896, one year after Douglass's death.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1895
designer
Bruce, J. E.
maker
unknown
ID Number
1981.0353.1
accession number
1981.0353
catalog number
1981.0353.01
This music book Folk-Dance Music was published by G. Schirmer in New York, New York in 1908.
Description

This music book Folk-Dance Music was published by G. Schirmer in New York, New York in 1908. Printed on the front of the music book:

FOLK-DANCE MUSIC
A COLLECTION OF
SEVENTY-SIX CHARACTERISTIC
DANCES OF THE PEOPLE OF
VARIOUS NATIONS
ADAPTED FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND
PLAYGROUNDS FOR PHYSICAL
EDUCATION AND PLAY.

Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1908
publisher
G. Schirmer, Inc.
ID Number
1986.0961.01
accession number
1986.0961
catalog number
1986.0961.01
Patented on August 20, 1878, this lamp is the invention of lamp maker Charles F. Spencer. Until 1880 the U.S. Patent Office required both documentation and a three-dimensional working model to demonstrate every invention submitted for a patent.
Description
Patented on August 20, 1878, this lamp is the invention of lamp maker Charles F. Spencer. Until 1880 the U.S. Patent Office required both documentation and a three-dimensional working model to demonstrate every invention submitted for a patent. Although it now shows signs of rust and wear, this lamp once served as Spencer’s patent model for an innovative approach to lighting.
patent date
1878-08-20
inventor
Spencer, Charles F.
ID Number
DL.331372
catalog number
331372
patent number
207,314
Albert Weber became Steinway’s principal competitor in the 1870s, just as the Chickering company began to falter. Weber made few technical innovations. He simply made extremely fine pianos like this 1876 upright and sold them at fair prices.
Description (Brief)
Albert Weber became Steinway’s principal competitor in the 1870s, just as the Chickering company began to falter. Weber made few technical innovations. He simply made extremely fine pianos like this 1876 upright and sold them at fair prices. Beautifully decorated by Herter Brothers, furniture designers of New York, this instrument helped Weber challenge Steinway at the Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition in 1876. The piano is serial number 9957, and has a compass of AAA-c5, tape-check upright action (probably not original), felt hammers, single-, double-, and triple-strings, cross-strung, 2 pedals: “soft” and dampers, a double iron frame, and an ebonized case with inlaid designs and gilded banding.
date made
1876
maker
Weber
decorator
Herter Brothers
ID Number
1980.0360.01
catalog number
1980.0360.01
accession number
1980.0360
This engraved woodblock of a “Haida totem post” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Figure 24 (p.68) in an article by Garrick Mallery (1831-1894) entitled “Pictographs of the North American Indians: a preliminary paper” i
Description
This engraved woodblock of a “Haida totem post” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Figure 24 (p.68) in an article by Garrick Mallery (1831-1894) entitled “Pictographs of the North American Indians: a preliminary paper” in the Fourth Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian, 1882-83.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1886
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
printer
Government Printing Office
author
Mallery, Garrick
block maker
J. J. & Co.
ID Number
1980.0219.1509
accession number
1980.0219
catalog number
1980.0219.1509
As more American volunteer fire fighting companies began to form during the late 18th century, a need emerged for better organized efforts in combating conflagrations.
Description (Brief)
As more American volunteer fire fighting companies began to form during the late 18th century, a need emerged for better organized efforts in combating conflagrations. Engineers and officers would use “speaking trumpets” to amplify their voices over the noise and commotion of a fire scene to direct the company in effectively fighting the blaze. Two trumpet variants are reflected in the collection: plain and functional “working” trumpets that were actively used at fires, and highly decorated “presentation” trumpets. Presentation trumpets were awarded to firefighters in honor of their service, or between fire companies during visits, competitions, and musters.
This brass trumpet was presented to Henry K. Woodruff by the Independence Hose Company of New York in 1862. The trumpet is divided into three sections with two rings that allow for a cord to be attached. The trumpet bears an inscription that reads “Presented by Independence Hose Company, No. 3, New York, to Foreman Henry K. Woodruff 1862.” The Independence Hose Company No. 3 was organized on November 19, 1832. Woodruff was the foreman of the Independence Hose Company from 1862 until the company disbanded in 1865.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1862
maker
unknown
ID Number
2005.0233.0829
accession number
2005.0233
catalog number
2005.0233.0829
Max Goberman, conductor. side 1: Z'Chartihah [track 1] Debka [track 2]; side 2: Ura Amchah [track 1] Sov V'Vuni [track 2] (Vox 16037), from the album, Palestine Dances (Vox 191).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Max Goberman, conductor. side 1: Z'Chartihah [track 1] Debka [track 2]; side 2: Ura Amchah [track 1] Sov V'Vuni [track 2] (Vox 16037), from the album, Palestine Dances (Vox 191).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1947
manufacturer
Vox
ID Number
1988.0384.50
accession number
1988.0384
catalog number
1988.0384.50
maker number
16037
191
191
catalog number
1988.0384.50
This pen-and-ink comic art drawing by Rube Goldberg from 1924 features the concept of using “windy” political speeches as free energy.Rube Goldberg (1883-1970) was an engineer before he was a comic artist.
Description (Brief)
This pen-and-ink comic art drawing by Rube Goldberg from 1924 features the concept of using “windy” political speeches as free energy.
Rube Goldberg (1883-1970) was an engineer before he was a comic artist. After receiving an engineering degree, he started his career designing sewers for the City of San Francisco, but then followed his other interest and took a job as a sports cartoonist for the San Francisco Chronicle. After moving to New York in 1907 Goldberg worked for several newspapers, producing a number of short-lived strips and panels—many of which were inspired by his engineering background, including his renowned invention cartoons. In the late 1930s and 1940s he switched his focus to editorial and political cartoons and in 1945 founded the National Cartoonists Society. The Reuben, comic art’s most prestigious award, is named after him.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1924-10-31
original artist
Goldberg, Rube
ID Number
GA.23492
catalog number
23492
accession number
299186
This song book for 10 Hebrew Folk Songs and Folk Dances, was arranged for the piano by Lazare Saminsky. It was published Carl Fischer, Inc. in New York, New York in 1924.Currently not on view
Description
This song book for 10 Hebrew Folk Songs and Folk Dances, was arranged for the piano by Lazare Saminsky. It was published Carl Fischer, Inc. in New York, New York in 1924.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1924
publisher
Carl Fischer Inc.
ID Number
1986.0961.06
accession number
1986.0961
catalog number
1986.0961.06
This song book for 10 Jewish songs, compiled by Jacob Weinberg. It was published by Bloch Publishing Co. of New York, New York in 1933.Currently not on view
Description
This song book for 10 Jewish songs, compiled by Jacob Weinberg. It was published by Bloch Publishing Co. of New York, New York in 1933.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1933
publisher
Bloch Publishing & Printing Company
ID Number
1986.0961.07
accession number
1986.0961
catalog number
1986.0961.07
side 1: Alfred Drake with Oklahoma Orchestra. Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'; side 2: Alfred Drake with Oklahoma Chorus & Orchestra. Oklahoma (Decca 23283), from the album, Oklahoma! (Decca A-359).
Description

side 1: Alfred Drake with Oklahoma Orchestra. Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'; side 2: Alfred Drake with Oklahoma Chorus & Orchestra. Oklahoma (Decca 23283), from the album, Oklahoma! (Decca A-359). 78 rpm.

This album is from the 1943 Broadway musical Oklahoma!, with book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and music by Richard Rogers. Oklahoma! opened on March 31, 1943 at the St. James Theatre and ran for 2,212 performances.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1943
recording artist
Drake, Alfred
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1980.0339.07
maker number
23283
A-359
accession number
1980.0339
catalog number
1980.0339.07
Max Goberman, conductor. Palestine Dances and Songs (Vox 191). 3-disc set.78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Max Goberman, conductor. Palestine Dances and Songs (Vox 191). 3-disc set.
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1947
manufacturer
Vox
ID Number
1988.0384.49
accession number
1988.0384
maker number
191
catalog number
1988.0384.49
This sheet music is for the song “The Cup,” with words by Simon Frug and music by Solomon Golub. It was published by N’Ginah Publishing Co. in New York, New York in 1921. Reprinted by Henry Lefkowitch in 1929.Currently not on view
Description
This sheet music is for the song “The Cup,” with words by Simon Frug and music by Solomon Golub. It was published by N’Ginah Publishing Co. in New York, New York in 1921. Reprinted by Henry Lefkowitch in 1929.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1921
publisher
N'Ginah Publishing Co.
ID Number
1986.0961.04
accession number
1986.0961
catalog number
1986.0961.04
This sheet music is for the music “Celebrated Hebrew Song and Dance,” arranged for piano solo by Joseph Bonime. It was published by Joseph P. Katz in New York, New York in 1916.Currently not on view
Description
This sheet music is for the music “Celebrated Hebrew Song and Dance,” arranged for piano solo by Joseph Bonime. It was published by Joseph P. Katz in New York, New York in 1916.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1916
arranger
Bonime, Joseph
publisher
Katz, Joseph P.
ID Number
1986.0961.05
accession number
1986.0961
catalog number
1986.0961.05
This booklet Notes for Modern Dance was published by A.S. Barnes & Co. in New York, New York in 1937.Currently not on view
Description
This booklet Notes for Modern Dance was published by A.S. Barnes & Co. in New York, New York in 1937.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1937
publisher
A. S. Barnes & Co.
ID Number
1986.0961.02
accession number
1986.0961
catalog number
1986.0961.02
Mrs. Bertrand Cohn purchased this "Delphos" dress in Paris in 1936. When she returned to New York, she wore it to the Metropolitan Opera with silver shoes and a diamond necklace.
Description
Mrs. Bertrand Cohn purchased this "Delphos" dress in Paris in 1936. When she returned to New York, she wore it to the Metropolitan Opera with silver shoes and a diamond necklace. She later donated the dress to the Smithsonian.
The designer, Mariano Fortuny, was born in Granada, Spain, in 1871 to a family of artists. After his father’s death in 1874, the Fortunys lived in Paris and Spain and eventually settled in Venice, Italy. Inspired by his surroundings and encouraged by his family, Mariano became a painter. Fortuny's artistic interest covered a range of creative endeavors, from sculpture, photography, and interior design to stage and set design and stage lighting. His interest in dyes and chemistry led him to textile and costume design, for which he is best known today.
Influenced by Orientalism and neoclassicism, Fortuny created lush and decorative fabrics. Using a mixture of hand and screen printing to decorate the fabrics allowed him the freedom to experiment and design. His most famous design was the "Delphos," a classic pleated tea gown he began making around 1907 and continued until his death. Named after a Greek classical sculpture, the Delphos dress was a simple column of vertical pleats permanently set in silk by a process never successfully duplicated. Fortuny considered his dress concepts to be inventions, and in 1909 he patented the pleating process and the machine he invented and copy-righted the design of the dress. These dresses were meant to be stored by rolling them lengthwise, twisting them into a ball and placing them in an oval miniature hat box (we have the one that came with this dress), thus preserving the pleats and keeping the shape of the dress.
Avant-garde American dancers Isadora Duncan and Ruth St. Denis wore Fortunys because of their interest in the body and movement. Originally made to be worn as teas gowns for entertaining at home, the gowns were seen outside the home by the 1930s.
This two-piece tubular cut tea gown is constructed of a finely pleated rose-colored silk. It is full length with openings at the side seams to form armholes. The wide scoop neckline has a drawstring encased along the inside edge, and there are two rows of stitching on either side of the shoulder seams. Silk cording evenly threaded with yellow glass beads with black and red stripes is stitched along the side seams and the armhole edges. The separate belt is made of rose-colored silk painted with a silver metallic pattern of trailing oak leaves and dots.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1936
user
Mrs. Bertrand W. Cohn
designer
Fortuny, Mariano
ID Number
CS.322625.002
catalog number
322625.002
accession number
322625
322625
In the nineteenth century, volunteer fire companies often commissioned paintings to decorate their hand-pumped fire engines for parades, competitions, and community events.
Description
In the nineteenth century, volunteer fire companies often commissioned paintings to decorate their hand-pumped fire engines for parades, competitions, and community events. Sometimes framed with elaborate carvings, they adorned the tall air chamber located at the middle or rear of a pumper. The paintings would often feature patriotic, heroic, or allegorical images to associate the volunteer companies with these lofty ideals.
This engine panel painting came from the Lexington Fire Engine Company No. 7 of New York, New York. The volunteer company was active from December 26, 1849 until September 18, 1865. The painting was signed by artist M. Betsch, and was completed around 1849. This painting depicts a rider (either Paul Revere or William Dawes) bringing news of the skirmish between the American militia and British troops at Lexington. The flag of the United States and the Gadsden (Don’t Tread on Me) flag frame the painting’s title at the bottom. The Lexington Fire Company used this painting to link their company to the patriotic deeds of their predecessors in the Revolutionary War. This painting and its companion piece (object 2005.0233.0302) would have adorned the sides of the company’s engines.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1849
maker
Betsch, M.
ID Number
2005.0233.0301
accession number
2005.0233
catalog number
2005.0233.0301
This sheet music is for the song “Eli, Eli,” the opening words of Psalms 22:2, arranged and sung by Cantor Joseph Rosenblatt. It was published in New York, New York in 1919. Josef "Yossele" Rosenblatt (1882-1933) was a Ukrainian-born cantor and composer.Currently not on view
Description
This sheet music is for the song “Eli, Eli,” the opening words of Psalms 22:2, arranged and sung by Cantor Joseph Rosenblatt. It was published in New York, New York in 1919. Josef "Yossele" Rosenblatt (1882-1933) was a Ukrainian-born cantor and composer.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1919
arranger
Rosenblatt, Joseph
ID Number
1986.0961.03
accession number
1986.0961
catalog number
1986.0961.03
This badge is a novelty replica of the badges worn by members of the Pinkerton Detective Agency during the second half of the 19th century. The top of the badge bears the “all-seeing eye” with Pinkerton’s motto “We Never Sleep” below.
Description
This badge is a novelty replica of the badges worn by members of the Pinkerton Detective Agency during the second half of the 19th century. The top of the badge bears the “all-seeing eye” with Pinkerton’s motto “We Never Sleep” below. The center of the badge reads “Pinkerton National Detective Agent” above “New York” in a cartouche. The Pinkerton Agency was established by Allen Pinkerton in 1850 and became famous by protecting President Lincoln during the Civil War. After the war, the Pinkerton Agency and its detectives became notorious for their violent methods in hunting down criminals and protecting railroad shipments as well as busting strikes and suppressing the dissent of organized labor.
user
Pinkerton National Detective Agency
ID Number
1991.0325.01
catalog number
1991.0325.01
accession number
1991.0325
side 1: Lee Dixon with Oklahoma Male Chorus and Orchestra. Kansas City; side 2: Joan Roberts with Oklahoma Girl Chorus and Orchestra. Oout of My Dreams (Decca 23285), from the album, Oklahoma! (Decca A-359).
Description

side 1: Lee Dixon with Oklahoma Male Chorus and Orchestra. Kansas City; side 2: Joan Roberts with Oklahoma Girl Chorus and Orchestra. Oout of My Dreams (Decca 23285), from the album, Oklahoma! (Decca A-359). 78 rpm.

This album is from the 1943 Broadway musical Oklahoma!, with book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and music by Richard Rogers. Oklahoma! opened on March 31, 1943 at the St. James Theatre and ran for 2,212 performances.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1943
recording artist
Dixon, Lee
Roberts, Joan
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1980.0339.09
maker number
23285
A-359
accession number
1980.0339
catalog number
1980.0339.09
Max Goberman, conductor. side 1: Kum Bacher Atzel [track 1] Pa'am Achat [track 2]; side 2: Tcherkassia [track 1] Havu L'Venim [track 2] (Vox 16038), from the album, Palestine Dances (Vox 191).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Max Goberman, conductor. side 1: Kum Bacher Atzel [track 1] Pa'am Achat [track 2]; side 2: Tcherkassia [track 1] Havu L'Venim [track 2] (Vox 16038), from the album, Palestine Dances (Vox 191).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1947
manufacturer
Vox
ID Number
1988.0384.51
accession number
1988.0384
maker number
16038
catalog number
1988.0384.51
maker number
191
Starting in 1790, American merchant ships larger than 150 tons and with more than 10 crew members were required to have medicine chests with contents assembled by an “apothecary of known reputation.” These had to be accompanied by instructions for the administration of each medic
Description
Starting in 1790, American merchant ships larger than 150 tons and with more than 10 crew members were required to have medicine chests with contents assembled by an “apothecary of known reputation.” These had to be accompanied by instructions for the administration of each medicine. Most commonly, either the captain or first mate administered pharmaceutical products to any crew in need.
This example has labels from the ports of Baltimore, Maryland; Mamaroneck, New York, and Halifax, Nova Scotia, indicating it was replenished more than once over its useful life.
Date made
19th Century
maker
Gray Telephone Pay Station Co.
ID Number
MG.302606.154
catalog number
302606.154
accession number
302606

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