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 exotic Eastern-influenced dress was designed by Callot Soeurs, a popular Parisian fashion house.The dress was worn by Mrs.
Description
This exotic Eastern-influenced dress was designed by Callot Soeurs, a popular Parisian fashion house.
The dress was worn by Mrs. Florence Sheffield Keep, a prominent Washingtonian whose busy social schedule and contacts within the diplomatic community were often noted in the Washington, DC and New York City newspapers. It is possible that this dress was worn to a diplomatic event in Washington, DC.
Callot Soeurs opened in 1895 at 24, rue Taibout in Paris, France. It was founded and operated by four sisters: Marie Callot Gerber, Marthe Callot Bertrand, Regina Callot Tennyson-Chantrell, and Josephine Callot Crimont with Marie being the head designer. Coming from an artistic family, their mother was a lace maker and their father a painter and teacher of design. Before opening the salon, the sisters first worked with antique laces and ribbons to adorn blouses and lingerie. They later expanded into other clothing to include daywear, tailored suits, and evening dresses being best known for their eighteenth century inspired dishabille and their exotic evening dress influenced by the East. In 1914, the design house moved to grander quarters at 9-11, avenue Matignon, and they became involved in Le syndicat de defense de la grande couture francaise. Through this organization Callot Soeurs along with designers Paul Poiret, Jacques Worth, Jeanne Paquin, Madeleine Cheruit, Paul Rodier, and Bianchini and Ferier, put in place controls to protect their original designs from copy houses that sold them to ready-to-wear manufacturers without their permission. This is the time when the Callot Soeurs began to date their labels.
As evident with the design of this dress of bright orange color, gold lace, and elaborate trim, in the 1920’s, Callot Soeurs used brilliant and rich fauvist colors and Eastern inspired designs with exotic details in their formal evening wear. Along with other designers such as Paul Poiret, they were strongly influenced by the wave of orientalism in fashion and the arts. It was during this period that Callot Soeurs became one of the leading fashion houses in Paris, serving exclusive clientele from Europe and the United States. In 1928, Pierre Gerber, Marie Callot Gerber’s son took over the business and moved it to 41, avenue Montaigne. It remained there until Marie retired in 1937. It was at this time that the House of Callot Soeurs closed and was absorbed into the House of Calvert.
This dress is constructed of bright orange silk chiffon with a lining of off-white satin. Gold metallic lace trim and elaborate decorative motifs of beading and iridescent sequins decorate entire dress. The bodice section forms a deep V at front and back with the under bodice lining covered with net forming an insert at center front. Bands of lace and decorated chiffon form diagonal straps at front with at a criss-cross pattern at back. A large decorative diamond-shape emblem of pearls, green and blue beads, and glass stones at corners and center are attached at lower edge of bodice front insert. Five pearl tassels extend from lower edge of the emblem. Horizontal bands of two-inch wide gold metallic lace centered with a band of beaded orange chiffon are set in at the mid-section of the dress. Long tails of chiffon decorated all over with beading and sequins are shirred at the shoulders forming a flowing sleeve-like appearance. The decorated orange chiffon skirt section has an inverted V insert of two-inch gold metallic lace at front which extends into a horizontal band at back. A scalloped pattern at the lower edge has an insert of gold metallic lace. A label woven into a waistband at inside lining reads: “Hiver 1922-1923, Callot Soeurs, Paris, Nouvelle Marque Deposee”.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1922-1923
used by
Keep, Florence Sheffield Boardman
maker
Callot Soeurs
Callot Soeurs
ID Number
CS.057028
catalog number
57028
accession number
202244
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 Compromise Settlement Award Sheet was the result of the Japanese American Evacuation Claims Act of July 2, 1948.
Description
This Compromise Settlement Award Sheet was the result of the Japanese American Evacuation Claims Act of July 2, 1948. This legislative measure was enacted to compensate the Japanese American citizens that were forcefully removed from their homes and lost most, if not all, of their property.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1952-02-13
ID Number
1986.3128.05
nonaccession number
1986.3128
catalog number
1986.3128.05
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
This engraved woodblock of “Light House Rock in the Canyon of Desolation” was prepared by Henry Hobart Nichols (1838-1887) and the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the print was published in 1875 as Figure 17 (p.49) in Report of the Exploration of the Colorado Rive
Description
This engraved woodblock of “Light House Rock in the Canyon of Desolation” was prepared by Henry Hobart Nichols (1838-1887) and the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the print was published in 1875 as Figure 17 (p.49) 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).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1875
1875
printer
Government Printing Office
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
author
Powell, John Wesley
graphic artist
Nichols, H. H.
ID Number
1980.0219.0068
accession number
1980.0219
catalog number
1980.0219.0068
Candlelight vigils often accompanied displays of the Memorial quilt. This styrofoam cup and candle was carried in the AIDS Memorial Candlelight March, Washington, D.C., 10 October 1992 by the donor.Currently not on view
Description
Candlelight vigils often accompanied displays of the Memorial quilt. This styrofoam cup and candle was carried in the AIDS Memorial Candlelight March, Washington, D.C., 10 October 1992 by the donor.
Location
Currently not on view
associated dates
1992 10 10 / 1992 10 10
ID Number
1992.3216.01
catalog number
1992.3216.01
nonaccession number
1992.3216
This engraved woodblock of the “Parsee Towers of Silence (interior).” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Figure 3 on page 104 in an article by H.C.
Description
This engraved woodblock of the “Parsee Towers of Silence (interior).” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Figure 3 on page 104 in an article by H.C. Yarrow (1871-1876) entitled “Mortuary Customs of North American Indians” in the First Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian, 1879-80. Henry Hobart Nichols (1838-1887) engraved the image.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1881
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
printer
Government Printing Office
graphic artist
Nichols, H. H.
author
Yarrow, Harry Crecy
ID Number
1980.0219.1356
catalog number
1980.0219.1356
accession number
1980.0219
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Garrison Toy and Novelty Co., Inc.
ID Number
CL.314637.00524
catalog number
314637.00524
accession number
314637
Eldridge J. Smith from Washington, D.C., received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk and seat. Patent no. 128432 was issued on June 25, 1872.This patent featured a school seat and desk that improved adjustability. Only the seat exists from the original model.
Description
Eldridge J. Smith from Washington, D.C., received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk and seat. Patent no. 128432 was issued on June 25, 1872.
This patent featured a school seat and desk that improved adjustability. Only the seat exists from the original model. There are small nails that hold the wooden slates to a circular wooden frame.
Eldridge J. Smith was born in 1825 and became a patent lawyer in Washington, D.C.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1872
associated date
1878
patent date
1872-06-25
patentee
Smith, Elbridge J.
transfer
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
inventor
Smith, Elbridge J.
ID Number
CL.249602.600
catalog number
249602.600
patent number
128,432
accession number
249602
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1993-04-26
photographer
Regan, Ken
ID Number
2014.0112.346
catalog number
2014.0112.346
accession number
2014.0112
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1993-04-26
photographer
Regan, Ken
ID Number
2014.0112.340
catalog number
2014.0112.340
accession number
2014.0112
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1993-04-26
photographer
Regan, Ken
ID Number
2014.0112.344
catalog number
2014.0112.344
accession number
2014.0112
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1993-04-26
photographer
Regan, Ken
ID Number
2014.0112.329
catalog number
2014.0112.329
accession number
2014.0112
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1993-04-26
photographer
Regan, Ken
ID Number
2014.0112.337
catalog number
2014.0112.337
accession number
2014.0112
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1993-04-26
photographer
Regan, Ken
ID Number
2014.0112.330
catalog number
2014.0112.330
accession number
2014.0112
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1993-04-26
depicted (sitter)
Jackson, Jesse
photographer
Regan, Ken
ID Number
2014.0112.332
catalog number
2014.0112.332
accession number
2014.0112
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1981
recipient
Robinson, Jr., Franklin A.
distributor
Catholic University of America
ID Number
2011.0093.06
accession number
2011.0093
catalog number
2011.0093.06
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1993-04-26
photographer
Regan, Ken
ID Number
2014.0112.341
catalog number
2014.0112.341
accession number
2014.0112
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1993-04-26
photographer
Regan, Ken
ID Number
2014.0112.335
catalog number
2014.0112.335
accession number
2014.0112
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1993-04-26
photographer
Regan, Ken
ID Number
2014.0112.350
catalog number
2014.0112.350
accession number
2014.0112
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1993-04-26
photographer
Regan, Ken
ID Number
2014.0112.339
catalog number
2014.0112.339
accession number
2014.0112
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1993-04-26
photographer
Regan, Ken
ID Number
2014.0112.343
catalog number
2014.0112.343
accession number
2014.0112
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1993-04-26
photographer
Regan, Ken
ID Number
2014.0112.342
catalog number
2014.0112.342
accession number
2014.0112

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.