Cultures & Communities

Cleveland Many Peoples One Language Poster

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.

Place: United States

Council (or more properly, Sun Dance or Medicine Lodge)

Bear's Heart, or Nock-ko-ist (Cheyenne),drawn between 1875 and 1878 at Fort Marion, Florida"Council" (or more properly, Sun Dance or Medicine Lodge)Collected by Richard Henry Pratt about 1878Colored pencil, ink, colored ink, and watercolorThe drawing of a Sun Dance or Medicine Lo
Description
Bear's Heart, or Nock-ko-ist (Cheyenne),
drawn between 1875 and 1878 at Fort Marion, Florida
"Council" (or more properly, Sun Dance or Medicine Lodge)
Collected by Richard Henry Pratt about 1878
Colored pencil, ink, colored ink, and watercolor
The drawing of a Sun Dance or Medicine Lodge gathering offers a partial view of one moment in the most sacred of Plains Indian ceremonies. The event is represented here by the Sun Dance lodge with its cloth and tree-branch offerings flying. The people stand outside to bear witness to the sacred offerings being made, while four painted Sun Dancers stand ready to make their sacrifices inside. Four men, probably warrior society officers, stand guard over the ceremony.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1875-1878
original artist
Bear's Heart
ID Number
2008.0175.56
accession number
2008.0175
catalog number
2008.0175.056

Work Trumpet

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 work trumpet was used around 1848-1850. The trumpet has two rounded bands with protruding rings that allowed a cord to be attached to the trumpet.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1848-1850
maker
unknown
ID Number
2005.0233.0866
accession number
2005.0233
catalog number
2005.0233.0866

Work Trumpet

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 silver plated trumpet dates to the 19th century. The trumpet has three rounded bounds around its octagonal faceted shaft. Two rings protrude from the side of the trumpet, which are strung with a tasseled blue cord.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
19th century
maker
unknown
ID Number
2005.0233.0890
accession number
2005.0233
catalog number
2005.0233.0890

Mother Maybelle and the Carter Family

Maybelle Carter (1909-1978) was an original member of the performing Carter Family. After the breakup of that group in 1943, she formed a new act, known as Mother Maybelle and the Carter Sisters, with daughters Helen (1927-1998) shown here on accordian, June and Anita.
Description
Maybelle Carter (1909-1978) was an original member of the performing Carter Family. After the breakup of that group in 1943, she formed a new act, known as Mother Maybelle and the Carter Sisters, with daughters Helen (1927-1998) shown here on accordian, June and Anita. Maybelle was an influential presence, particularly as the originator of a style of guitar playing emulated by Leadbelly, Woodie Guthrie, and many other musicians.
Location
Currently not on view
negative
1973
print
2003
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.079
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.079

Rooster Weathervane

Depicting a rooster. Body of cast iron with sheet metal tail. Legs are free standing. There is a metal vertical support between legs.
Description (Brief)
Depicting a rooster. Body of cast iron with sheet metal tail. Legs are free standing. There is a metal vertical support between legs.
ID Number
CL.65.0955
accession number
261195
catalog number
65.0955
collector/donor number
T-9

Pediment

Made of carved wood. Carving of an Indian and buffalo.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Made of carved wood. Carving of an Indian and buffalo.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
CL.65.1159
accession number
261195
catalog number
65.1159
collector/donor number
T-28

Picture postcard, "The Broken Arch, Mission San Juan Capistrano, California"

This postcard view of Mission San Juan Capistrano was printed by the Curt Teich Company using photomechanical processes.
Description (Brief)
This postcard view of Mission San Juan Capistrano was printed by the Curt Teich Company using photomechanical processes. It was published about 1915 by Eno & Matteson in San Diego for the Panama-California Exposition.
The Curt Teich Company of Chicago printed postcards between 1898 and 1978 in association with many publishers. It used the term "Photochrom," later "Colortone," to describe its color printing processes.
Mission San Juan Capistrano, founded in 1776, is located southeast of Los Angeles. It was the seventh of twenty-one Spanish Franciscan missions built in California between 1769 and 1823 to convert American Indians of the Juaneño, or Luiseño tribe, to Catholicism.
Today the mission serves as a parish chapel and a museum.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1915
publisher
Eno & Matteson
graphic artist
Curt Teich & Co.
ID Number
1986.0639.0600
accession number
1986.0639
catalog number
1986.639.0600

Ernest Tubb arriving at music venue

For much of his career, Ernest Tubb, the "Texas Troubadour" was considered the ultimate honky tonk vocalist and stylist. Inspired by Jimmie Rodgers in the 1920s, Tubb sustained a musical career that at times also branched into film and television.
Description
For much of his career, Ernest Tubb, the "Texas Troubadour" was considered the ultimate honky tonk vocalist and stylist. Inspired by Jimmie Rodgers in the 1920s, Tubb sustained a musical career that at times also branched into film and television. No artist toured as much, or for as long as Ernest Tubb, who worked 150 to 200 shows each year between the early 1960s and 1982. No artist was kinder to his fans, and no fans were more loyal to their star. Ernest Tubb had one national fan club with a single president for its entire existence between 1944 and its deactivation in the early 1990s.
Location
Currently not on view
negative
1973
print
2003
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.084
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.084

Eagle

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
associated date
1850 - 1899
maker
Schimmel, Wilhelm
ID Number
CL.65.1088
accession number
256396
catalog number
65.1088

Picture postcard, "Ruins of Fray Junipero Serra's Death Chamber, Carmel Mission, California. Founded 1770"

This postcard view of the "Ruins of Fray Junípero Serrá's Death Chamber" was printed by the Detroit Publishing Company in about 1910, using a copyrighted photolithographic process called "Photostint."The Detroit Publishing Company previously known as the Detroit Photographic Comp
Description (Brief)
This postcard view of the "Ruins of Fray Junípero Serrá's Death Chamber" was printed by the Detroit Publishing Company in about 1910, using a copyrighted photolithographic process called "Photostint."
The Detroit Publishing Company previously known as the Detroit Photographic Company was first listed in Detroit city directories in 1888. Its manager, William A. Livingstone, invited the famous landscape photographer William Henry Jackson to join the company as a partner in 1897. Jackson brought with him his own photographic images which would be used by the company.
Mission San Carlos Borroméo del rio Carmelo, or the Old Mission Chapel, was established in 1770 by Fr. Junípero Serra, the Spanish Franciscan who founded twenty-one missions in California between 1769 and 1823. San Carlos was the second of these missions which were established to convert American Indians of the Esselen and Ohlone, Costanoan, tribes to Catholicism. Father Serra died at the Carmel Mission on August 28, 1784, at the age of 71.
Today the mission serves as a parish church.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1910
graphic artist
Detroit Publishing Co.
ID Number
1986.0639.2016
accession number
1986.0639
catalog number
1986.639.2016

Work Trumpet, "B.T. Brown"

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 work trumpet dates to the 19th century. The trumpet has a raised ribbed band at the top of the bell and the text “B.T. Brown” engraved on the side. There is a small piece of wire wrapped around the top of the trumpet to create a handle.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
unknown
maker
unknown
ID Number
2005.0233.0905
accession number
2005.0233
catalog number
2005.0233.0905

Presentation Trumpet, "Washington Engine Co."

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 silver plated presentation trumpet belonged to the Washington Engine Company of Paterson, New Jersey during the early 19th century. The trumpet is engraved with a floral motif overall. Two twigs form a frame around the inscription that reads “Washington Engine Co. No. 3 Paterson, N.J. Organized July 4, 1826.” A gold braided cord with tassels is strung through two rings that are attached to the trumpet’s shaft.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1826
maker
unknown
ID Number
2005.0233.0849
accession number
2005.0233
catalog number
2005.0233.0849

Hurricane Evacuation Route Road Sign

As Hurricane Katrina approached in August 2005, over 80 percent of the residents of New Orleans fled the city during the mandatory evacuation. Thousands of residents, however, could not or would not leave.Currently not on view
Description
As Hurricane Katrina approached in August 2005, over 80 percent of the residents of New Orleans fled the city during the mandatory evacuation. Thousands of residents, however, could not or would not leave.
Location
Currently not on view
Associated Date
2005
fabricator
New Orleans Department of Public Works
ID Number
2005.0284.01
accession number
2005.0284
catalog number
2005.0284.01

Presentation Trumpet, "Thomas Mullen"

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 silver plated trumpet was presented as a trophy to Thomas Mullen for winning a foot race at the Olympic Circus during the late 19th century. The trumpet features a raised floral motif on the lower portion of the trumpet and an overlapping scale pattern on the upper portion of the trumpet. The trumpet has two rings that are strung with a braided orange cord with tassels. One ring is in the beak of an eagle. There is an inset cartouche with the inscription “Won by/ Thomas Mullen/ of/ Jackson Engine Inc./ No. 4/ at the/ Olympic Circus /Paterson N.J. /Mile Foot Race/ Time 2-25 sec.” Fire companies would often meet at community gatherings to compete in a variety of physical contests, including foot races in order to demonstrate their fitness as firefighters.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
unknown
maker
unknown
ID Number
2005.0233.0842
accession number
2005.0233
catalog number
2005.0233.0842

Johnson Mountain Boys

The Johnson Mountain Boys was a traditional bluegrass band formed in the Washington, D.C. suburbs in the 1970s. Its members were vocalist, banjoist, and guitarist Dudley Connell, David McLauglin, fiddler Eddie Stubbs, and bassist Larry Robbins.
Description
The Johnson Mountain Boys was a traditional bluegrass band formed in the Washington, D.C. suburbs in the 1970s. Its members were vocalist, banjoist, and guitarist Dudley Connell, David McLauglin, fiddler Eddie Stubbs, and bassist Larry Robbins. Connell worked for Smithsonian Folkways for a time and Stubbs went on to host the Grand Ole Opry.
Location
Currently not on view
negative
1981
print
2003
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.030
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.030

Campaign speeches are useful, at that

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

Picture postcard, "Pala Mission Chapel, Founded 1816, near Oceanside, California"

This postcard view of Pala Mission Chapel was printed by the Van Ornum Colorprint Company in Los Angeles, Calif.
Description (Brief)
This postcard view of Pala Mission Chapel was printed by the Van Ornum Colorprint Company in Los Angeles, Calif. using photomechanical processes.
The Van Ornum Colorprint Company (1908-1921) was one of many picture postcard publishing companies producing scenes of California landscape and history.
Pala Mission or San Antonio de Pala Asistencia, founded in 1816, is situated about 25 miles northeast of Oceanside. It was an ancillary mission to the Mission San Luis Rey de Francia, the eighteenth of twenty-one Spanish Franciscan missions built in California between 1769 and 1823.
Today the mission is the only of the twenty-one original Spanish Franciscan missions which continues to minister to an American Indian community.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1908-1921
graphic artist
Van Ornum Colorprint Co.
ID Number
1986.0639.0480
accession number
1986.0639
catalog number
1986.639.0480

Picture postcard, "La Purísima Concepcíon Mission, California. Founded December 8, 1787"

This postcard view of Mission La Purísima Concepcíon was printed by the Detroit Publishing Company in about 1910, using a copyrighted photolithographic process called "Photostint."The Detroit Publishing Company (previously known as the Detroit Photographic Company) was first list
Description (Brief)
This postcard view of Mission La Purísima Concepcíon was printed by the Detroit Publishing Company in about 1910, using a copyrighted photolithographic process called "Photostint."
The Detroit Publishing Company (previously known as the Detroit Photographic Company) was first listed in Detroit city directories in 1888. Its manager, William A. Livingstone, invited famous landscape photographer William Henry Jackson to join the company as a partner in 1897. Jackson brought with him his own photographic images, which would be used by the company.
Mission La Purísima Concepcíon is located northwest of Santa Barbara in the city of Lompoc. It was the eleventh of twenty-one Spanish Franciscan missions founded in California between 1769 and 1823, and was established to convert American Indians of the Chumash tribe to Catholicism.
Today the mission is one of two missions managed by the California State Park system. The other is the Mission San Francisco de Solano in Sonoma.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1910
graphic artist
Detroit Publishing Co.
ID Number
1986.0639.2040
accession number
1986.0639
catalog number
1986.639.2040

Picture postcard, "Mission San Juan Capistrano - 1776. Midway Between San Diego and Los Angeles, California"

This postcard view of San Juan Capistrano was printed by the Curt Teich Company of Chicago using photomechanical processes. It was published about 1914 by the I. L.
Description (Brief)
This postcard view of San Juan Capistrano was printed by the Curt Teich Company of Chicago using photomechanical processes. It was published about 1914 by the I. L. Eno company in San Diego, Calif.
The Curt Teich Company manufactured postcards between 1898 and 1978 in association with several publishers. The firm used the term "photochrom," later "colortone," to describe its color printing processes.
Mission San Juan Capistrano is located in the town of the same name. It was the seventh of twenty-one Spanish Franciscan missions established in California between 1769 and 1823, and was founded for the conversion to Catholicism of American Indians of the Luisen, or Juaneno, tribe.
Today the mission compound includes a parish chapel and a museum.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1914
graphic artist
Eno, I. L.
ID Number
1986.0639.0332
accession number
1986.0639
catalog number
1986.0639.0332

Presentation Trumpet, "Hibernia Fire Company"

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 trumpet was presented to John M. Nesbitt of the Hibernia Fire Company by the Insurance Company of North America. The trumpet has decorative bands around the bell’s rim and the upper and lower portion of the trumpet. The bell also features a decorative band with a floral motif. The middle portion of the trumpet has an oval inset featuring high relief of a helmed Greek figure shown in profile view. There is a winged horse on the figure’s helmet and the oval inset is surrounded by decorative floral engravings. The other side of the trumpet has a diamond-shaped silver inlay with an inscription that reads “Presented by the Insurance Company of North America to John M. Nesbitt Esqr. of Hibernia Fire Company, Philadelphia.” A brown braided cord is attached to the trumpet by rings that are held by eagles’ beaks. John Maxwell Nesbitt was the first President of the board of directors for the Insurance Company of North America in 1792, as well as a member of the Hibernia Fire Company.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1800
maker
unknown
ID Number
2005.0233.0826
accession number
2005.0233
catalog number
2005.0233.0826

10 Hebrew Folk Songs

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

Presentation Trumpet, "Neptune Guard"

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 trumpet was presented to the Passaic Engine Company of Paterson, New Jersey by the Neptune Guard of Newark, New Jersey on October 30th, 1876. The trumpet has an overall floral motif surrounding the various inscriptions and engravings. The bell of the trumpet features an engraving of a steam fire engine on one side and an engraving of an overlapping fireman's hat, trumpet, hook, and fire swab on the other. The center portion of the trumpet bears an inscription inside a shield-shaped frame that reads “Presented to Passaic Engine Co. No. 1 of Paterson by the Neptune Guard of Newark, Oct. 30th 1876, Frank Daly, Capt.” On the opposite side of the trumpet there is an engraving of a crossed hook and ladder. There are two rings that would have been used to attach a cord to the trumpet. The Neptune Guard was a musket corps composed of members from the Neptune Hose Company of Newark, New Jersey that was in operation around the middle of the 19th century.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1876
maker
unknown
ID Number
2005.0233.0827
accession number
2005.0233
catalog number
2005.0233.0827

Work Trumpet

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 nickel-plated brass work trumpet was painted black and has a variety of scratches revealing the metal underneath. The trumpet has one long vertical seam and three flat bands than ring the shaft.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
unknown
maker
unknown
ID Number
2005.0233.0854
accession number
2005.0233
catalog number
2005.0233.0854

Work Trumpet

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 work trumpet was used during the 19th century. Unusually, this trumpet is collapsible, designed with stacked sections, presumably for ease of storage.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
unknown
maker
unknown
ID Number
2005.0233.0867
accession number
2005.0233
catalog number
2005.0233.0867

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