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.

Presentation Trumpet, "Charles M. Bartleson"

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 plain brass speaking trumpet dates to the first half of the 19th century. The trumpet has traces of red paint and the bell bears the inscription “CHA's. M. BARTLESON.” Charles M. Bartleson was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1795, and served as a captain of the shipping line that ran from Liverpool, England to Philadelphia.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
unknown
maker
unknown
ID Number
2005.0233.0887
accession number
2005.0233
catalog number
2005.0233.0887

An Adventure in Vermont

The Copp Collection contains about 150 books of early American imprint and shows a wide range of reading matter typical of a New England Puritan family living in a port town. Literacy was expected of many New Englanders, as Puritan doctrine required everyone to read the Bible.
Description
The Copp Collection contains about 150 books of early American imprint and shows a wide range of reading matter typical of a New England Puritan family living in a port town. Literacy was expected of many New Englanders, as Puritan doctrine required everyone to read the Bible. The abundance of multiple Bibles, psalms, hymnodies, sermons, and morality tales reflects the Copp’s religious beliefs. Other highlights of the library include the works of Shakespeare, almanacs, historical and political texts, and travel narratives.
The Copp Collection contains a variety of household objects that the Copp family of Connecticut used from around 1700 until the mid-1800s. Part of the Puritan Great Migration from England to Boston, the family eventually made their home in New London County, Connecticut, where their textiles, clothes, utensils, ceramics, books, bibles, and letters provide a vivid picture of daily life. More of the collection from the Division of Home and Community Life can be viewed by searching accession number 28810.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
DL.006868.011
catalog number
6868.011
accession number
28810

Letter to Mary Copp from Samuel Copp

The Copp Collection contains a variety of household objects that the Copp family of Connecticut used from around 1700 until the mid-1800s.
Description
The Copp Collection contains a variety of household objects that the Copp family of Connecticut used from around 1700 until the mid-1800s. Part of the Puritan Great Migration from England to Boston, the family eventually made their home in New London County, Connecticut, where their textiles, clothes, utensils, ceramics, books, bibles, and letters provide a vivid picture of daily life. More of the collection from the Division of Home and Community Life can be viewed by searching accession number 28810.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1812-03-31
originator (author or composer, etc.)
Copp, Jr., Samuel
recipient
Copp, Mary Esther
originator (author, etc.)
Copp, Jr., Samuel
ID Number
DL.006873.026
catalog number
6873.026
accession number
28810

The English Reader

The English Reader was written by Lindley Murray and first published in 1799. This edition was likely published in the early 19th century. Murray’s English Reader contained pieces of prose and poetry excerpted from popular pieces of literature.
Description
The English Reader was written by Lindley Murray and first published in 1799. This edition was likely published in the early 19th century. Murray’s English Reader contained pieces of prose and poetry excerpted from popular pieces of literature. The English Reader taught some general principles of elocution and grammar, but mainly sought to strengthen the reader’s vocabulary (and morals) with stories of piety and virtue.
The Copp Collection contains about 150 books of early American imprint and shows a wide range of reading matter typical of a New England Puritan family living in a port town. Literacy was expected of many New Englanders, as Puritan doctrine required everyone to read the Bible. The abundance of multiple Bibles, psalms, hymnodies, sermons, and morality tales reflects the Copp’s religious beliefs. Other highlights of the library include the works of Shakespeare, almanacs, historical and political texts, and travel narratives.
The Copp Collection contains a variety of household objects that the Copp family of Connecticut used from around 1700 until the mid-1800s. Part of the Puritan Great Migration from England to Boston, the family eventually made their home in New London County, Connecticut, where their textiles, clothes, utensils, ceramics, books, bibles, and letters provide a vivid picture of daily life. More of the collection from the Division of Home and Community Life can be viewed by searching accession number 28810.
Location
Currently not on view
author
Murray, Lindley
ID Number
DL.006866.11
catalog number
6866.11
accession number
28810

Letter to Samuel Copp from Aaron and Sarah Rathbone

The Copp Collection contains a variety of household objects that the Copp family of Connecticut used from around 1700 until the mid-1800s.
Description
The Copp Collection contains a variety of household objects that the Copp family of Connecticut used from around 1700 until the mid-1800s. Part of the Puritan Great Migration from England to Boston, the family eventually made their home in New London County, Connecticut, where their textiles, clothes, utensils, ceramics, books, bibles, and letters provide a vivid picture of daily life. More of the collection from the Division of Home and Community Life can be viewed by searching accession number 28810.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1820-03-13
originator (author or composer, etc.)
Rathbone, Sarah
recipient
Copp, Jr., Samuel
originator (author, etc.)
Rathbone, Sarah
Rathbone, Aaron
ID Number
DL.006873.076
catalog number
6873.076
accession number
28810

The New England Almanac, 1888

The 1888 New England Almanac and Farmer’s Friend was published Charles Allyn of New London, Connecticut in 1887. The almanac shared valuable information during a time when newspapers were scarce.
Description
The 1888 New England Almanac and Farmer’s Friend was published Charles Allyn of New London, Connecticut in 1887. The almanac shared valuable information during a time when newspapers were scarce. Their popularity with the public and low overhead made them attractive for publishers as well. While almanacs may be known for their farmer’s calendar or weather forecasts, they also served as calendars that marked holidays and all-saints days, and notable historic dates. The calendar also tracked the transit of celestial bodies and included the related astrological guidance. Additional materials included literary extracts, poetry, a list of roads and their mileage to major cities, medical advice, cooking recipes, patent notices, rates of interest, short histories, political discussions, schedules of courts, and practical advice. The diversity of topics made the almanac useful for every strata of society, creating an early form of mainstream culture.
The Copp Collection contains about 150 books of early American imprint and shows a wide range of reading matter typical of a New England Puritan family living in a port town. Literacy was expected of many New Englanders, as Puritan doctrine required everyone to read the Bible. The abundance of multiple Bibles, psalms, hymnodies, sermons, and morality tales reflects the Copp’s religious beliefs. Other highlights of the library include the works of Shakespeare, almanacs, historical and political texts, and travel narratives.
The Copp Collection contains a variety of household objects that the Copp family of Connecticut used from around 1700 until the mid-1800s. Part of the Puritan Great Migration from England to Boston, the family eventually made their home in New London County, Connecticut, where their textiles, clothes, utensils, ceramics, books, bibles, and letters provide a vivid picture of daily life. More of the collection from the Division of Home and Community Life can be viewed by searching accession number 28810.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
DL.006868.020
catalog number
6868.020
accession number
28810

Letter to Mary and Esther Copp from Samuel Copp

The Copp Collection contains a variety of household objects that the Copp family of Connecticut used from around 1700 until the mid-1800s.
Description
The Copp Collection contains a variety of household objects that the Copp family of Connecticut used from around 1700 until the mid-1800s. Part of the Puritan Great Migration from England to Boston, the family eventually made their home in New London County, Connecticut, where their textiles, clothes, utensils, ceramics, books, bibles, and letters provide a vivid picture of daily life. More of the collection from the Division of Home and Community Life can be viewed by searching accession number 28810.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1806-09-17
originator (author or composer, etc.)
Copp, Jr., Samuel
recipient
Copp, Esther
originator (author, etc.)
Copp, Jr., Samuel
ID Number
DL.006873.159
catalog number
6873.159
accession number
28810

Letter to "Dear Children" from Samuel and Dolly Copp

The Copp Collection contains a variety of household objects that the Copp family of Connecticut used from around 1700 until the mid-1800s.
Description
The Copp Collection contains a variety of household objects that the Copp family of Connecticut used from around 1700 until the mid-1800s. Part of the Puritan Great Migration from England to Boston, the family eventually made their home in New London County, Connecticut, where their textiles, clothes, utensils, ceramics, books, bibles, and letters provide a vivid picture of daily life. More of the collection from the Division of Home and Community Life can be viewed by searching accession number 28810.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1806-01-22
originator (author or composer, etc.)
Copp, Jr., Samuel
originator (author, etc.)
Copp, Jr., Samuel
ID Number
DL.006873.151
catalog number
6873.151
accession number
28810

Letter to her family from Esther Copp

The Copp Collection contains a variety of household objects that the Copp family of Connecticut used from around 1700 until the mid-1800s.
Description
The Copp Collection contains a variety of household objects that the Copp family of Connecticut used from around 1700 until the mid-1800s. Part of the Puritan Great Migration from England to Boston, the family eventually made their home in New London County, Connecticut, where their textiles, clothes, utensils, ceramics, books, bibles, and letters provide a vivid picture of daily life. More of the collection from the Division of Home and Community Life can be viewed by searching accession number 28810.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1800-03-02
recipient
Copp, Esther
maker
Copp, Esther
ID Number
DL.006873.098
catalog number
6873.098
accession number
28810

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 and tin work trumpet was used around 1832. The upper portion of the trumpet is tin and covered in leather to create a grip, while the lower portion is made of brass. One ring is attached to the bottom of the trumpet to allow a cord to be attached .The initials “D.F.D.” are engraved on the lower half of the trumpet, possibly standing for the Delaware Fire Department.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
unknown
maker
unknown
ID Number
2005.0233.0860
accession number
2005.0233
catalog number
2005.0233.0860

Speaking 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 presentation trumpet dates to the 19th century and features an engraved floral motif. The center portion of the trumpet’s shaft has an engraved image of a steam engine. There are four circular insets on the trumpets bell. In two insets on opposite sides of the bell is the engraved image of a wreath. An image of two schooners sailing on water surrounded by clouds and seagulls is engraved in one inset, with an image of two crossed ladders behind a hanging banner on the opposite side. Two eagle heads protrude from the shaft holding rings in their beaks through which a blue cord with tassels is strung.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
unknown
maker
unknown
ID Number
2005.0233.0909
accession number
2005.0233
catalog number
2005.0233.0909

glass bowl

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Arcoroc
ID Number
2006.0079.08
catalog number
2006.0079.08a
accession number
2006.0079

Letter to Mary Copp from Samuel Copp

The Copp Collection contains a variety of household objects that the Copp family of Connecticut used from around 1700 until the mid-1800s.
Description
The Copp Collection contains a variety of household objects that the Copp family of Connecticut used from around 1700 until the mid-1800s. Part of the Puritan Great Migration from England to Boston, the family eventually made their home in New London County, Connecticut, where their textiles, clothes, utensils, ceramics, books, bibles, and letters provide a vivid picture of daily life. More of the collection from the Division of Home and Community Life can be viewed by searching accession number 28810.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1805-09-04
originator (author or composer, etc.)
Copp, Jr., Samuel
recipient
Copp, Mary Esther
originator (author, etc.)
Copp, Jr., Samuel
ID Number
DL.006873.148
catalog number
6873.148
accession number
28810

Flight into Egypt

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
CL.65.1141
catalog number
65.1141
accession number
256396

Fans with Carl and Pearl Butler

Carl and Pearl Butler pose for photographs with fans.Currently not on view
Description
Carl and Pearl Butler pose for photographs with fans.
Location
Currently not on view
negative
1973
print
2003
Associated Name
Butler, Pearl
Butler, Carl
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.090
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.090

Letter to Samuel Copp from Sarah Rathbone

The Copp Collection contains a variety of household objects that the Copp family of Connecticut used from around 1700 until the mid-1800s.
Description
The Copp Collection contains a variety of household objects that the Copp family of Connecticut used from around 1700 until the mid-1800s. Part of the Puritan Great Migration from England to Boston, the family eventually made their home in New London County, Connecticut, where their textiles, clothes, utensils, ceramics, books, bibles, and letters provide a vivid picture of daily life. More of the collection from the Division of Home and Community Life can be viewed by searching accession number 28810.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1820-09-10
originator (author or composer, etc.)
Rathbone, Sarah
recipient
Copp, Jr., Samuel
originator (author, etc.)
Rathbone, Sarah
ID Number
DL.006873.078
catalog number
6873.078
accession number
28810

Letter to Mary Copp from Samuel Copp

The Copp Collection contains a variety of household objects that the Copp family of Connecticut used from around 1700 until the mid-1800s.
Description
The Copp Collection contains a variety of household objects that the Copp family of Connecticut used from around 1700 until the mid-1800s. Part of the Puritan Great Migration from England to Boston, the family eventually made their home in New London County, Connecticut, where their textiles, clothes, utensils, ceramics, books, bibles, and letters provide a vivid picture of daily life. More of the collection from the Division of Home and Community Life can be viewed by searching accession number 28810.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1806-01-25
originator (author or composer, etc.)
Copp, Jr., Samuel
recipient
Copp, Mary Esther
originator (author, etc.)
Copp, Jr., Samuel
ID Number
DL.006873.152
catalog number
6873.152
accession number
28810

Camera-ready comic art drawing for Out Our Way

This pen-and-ink drawing produced for the Out Our Way single-panel daily comic strip shows a mother’s musings about generational differences.Negley W. "Neg" Cochran (1913-2001) began his career in 1936 by drawing the Sunday comic pages for Bela Zaboly’s Otto Honk.
Description (Brief)
This pen-and-ink drawing produced for the Out Our Way single-panel daily comic strip shows a mother’s musings about generational differences.
Negley W. "Neg" Cochran (1913-2001) began his career in 1936 by drawing the Sunday comic pages for Bela Zaboly’s Otto Honk. After a few months Cochran left the strip to take over from Clyde Lewis on the strip titled Herky, which he drew until 1941. Beginning in 1957 Cochran worked on J. R. Williams’ Out Our Way. He drew the popular strip for the remainder of its run until 1977.
Out Our Way (1922-1977) was a comic strip rooted in nostalgia for the small-town life that resonated with creator J. R. Williams. The daily panel had a rotating cast with no official star, and a large array of backdrops from factory floors to cattle ranches.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1966-06-25
graphic artist
Cochran, Neg
publisher
NEA, Inc.
ID Number
GA.22396
catalog number
22396
accession number
277502

The Great Salvation Revealed and Offered in the Gospel

William Williams’ The Great Salvation Revealed and Offered in the Gospel was published by T. Crump in Boston, Massachusetts in 1717.
Description
William Williams’ The Great Salvation Revealed and Offered in the Gospel was published by T. Crump in Boston, Massachusetts in 1717. The work is a two-hundred page treatise on how the Bible can bring salvation, how it could be obtained by following the Gospel, and how to turn away from the temptations of the temporal world for the eternal reward in heaven.
The Copp Collection contains about 150 books of early American imprint and shows a wide range of reading matter typical of a New England Puritan family living in a port town. Literacy was expected of many New Englanders, as Puritan doctrine required everyone to read the Bible. The abundance of multiple Bibles, psalms, hymnodies, sermons, and morality tales reflects the Copp’s religious beliefs. Other highlights of the library include the works of Shakespeare, almanacs, historical and political texts, and travel narratives.
The Copp Collection contains a variety of household objects that the Copp family of Connecticut used from around 1700 until the mid-1800s. Part of the Puritan Great Migration from England to Boston, the family eventually made their home in New London County, Connecticut, where their textiles, clothes, utensils, ceramics, books, bibles, and letters provide a vivid picture of daily life. More of the collection from the Division of Home and Community Life can be viewed by searching accession number 28810.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
DL.006867.53
catalog number
6867.53
accession number
28810

Presentation Trumpet, "Norristown Hose 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 brass speaking trumpet was presented to the Norristown Hose Company by James Ernest of the Hope Engine Company. The trumpet has two rounded bands along its shaft. Decorative eagle’s heads hold rings in their beaks through which a braided brown cord is strung. A small shield shaped plaque in the center of the trumpet bears an inscription that reads “Pat Lyon / 1776 / Presented to the Norristown / Hose Co. No. 1 / By James Ernest / June 21 1880 / Hope Engine Co. No. 2 / Williamsport, Pa." The Norristown Hose Company was founded in 1848 and continues to operate in Norristown, Pennsylvania with both career and volunteer firefighters.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1880
maker
unknown
ID Number
2005.0233.0872
accession number
2005.0233
catalog number
2005.0233.0872

Butsudan-Buddhist altar

This Butsudan-Buddhist altar was made from scrap lumber in Jerome Relocation Center in Arkansas. Buddhism was among the religions that was practiced in the internment camps.
Description
This Butsudan-Buddhist altar was made from scrap lumber in Jerome Relocation Center in Arkansas. Buddhism was among the religions that was practiced in the internment camps. However, it was not formally recognized in the camp or marked with a specific house of worship within the internment camp grounds. This altar would have been kept in the barracks and used privately.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1986.3068.01
catalog number
1986.3068.01
nonaccession number
1986.3068

Work Trumpet, "Pennsylvania 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 brass speaking trumpet was used by the Pennsylvania Fire Company in active duty during the 19th century. The plain trumpet has three bands, and the lowest band has a ring attached to it. The ring allowed a cord to be attached to the trumpet. The trumpet bears the inscription “Pennsylvania Fire Company” which was likely based in the city of Philadelphia. The Pennsylvania Fire Company No. 22 was organized in 1806 and in 1839 withdrew from active service in protest due to the rioting of the other fire companies.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
unknown
maker
unknown
ID Number
2005.0233.0846
accession number
2005.0233
catalog number
2005.0233.0846

Instruction sheet, Western Defense Command & Fourth Army

This object is an instruction sheet for repatriation to Japan. Those who applied for repatriation were transferred from their original internment camps to Tule Lake Relocation Camp.
Description
This object is an instruction sheet for repatriation to Japan. Those who applied for repatriation were transferred from their original internment camps to Tule Lake Relocation Camp. In 1943 Tule Lake became a high-security Segregation Center for persons of Japanese ancestry that were believed to have conflicting national loyalties as well as those that applied for repatriation and those who did not want to leave the camp when it transformed from a Relocation Center to a Segregation Center. Many were sent to Tule Lake due to the answers they gave on the “loyalty” questionnaire; this included individuals and whole families.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1942-07
ID Number
1987.3020.03
nonaccession number
1987.3020
catalog number
1987.3020.03

Picture postcard, "Mission Dolores, San Francisco, California"

This postcard view of Mission Dolores was published by the Cardinell-Vincent Company in San Francisco about 1910.
Description (Brief)
This postcard view of Mission Dolores was published by the Cardinell-Vincent Company in San Francisco about 1910. The company's published views of California were printed lithographically in Germany.
The Cardinell-Vincent Company was the official postcard publisher for the Panama Pacific International Exposition in 1915.
Mission Dolores, also known as Mission San Francisco de Asís, is the oldest surviving structure in San Francisco, founded in 1776. It was the sixth of twenty-one Spanish Franciscan missions to be established in California between 1769 and 1823. The mission was founded to convert American Indians of the Bay Miwok, Coast Miwok, and Patwin tribes to Catholicism.
Today the mission site is managed by the Sonoma State Historic Park system.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1915
ca 1910
graphic artist
Cardinell-Vincent Co.
ID Number
1986.0639.0406
accession number
1986.0639
catalog number
1986.0639.0406

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