Family & Social Life

Donations to the Museum have preserved irreplaceable evidence about generations of ordinary Americans. Objects from the Copp household of Stonington, Connecticut, include many items used by a single family from 1740 to 1850. Other donations have brought treasured family artifacts from jewelry to prom gowns. These gifts and many others are all part of the Museum's family and social life collections.

Children's books and Sunday school lessons, tea sets and family portraits also mark the connections between members of a family and between families and the larger society. Prints, advertisements, and artifacts offer nostalgic or idealized images of family life and society in times past. And the collections include a few modern conveniences that have had profound effects on American families and social life, such as televisions, video games, and personal computers.

After the success of the IBM's business PC, IBM attempted to capture the home market with the IBM PCjr.
Description
After the success of the IBM's business PC, IBM attempted to capture the home market with the IBM PCjr. The PCjr system was compact, low cost, and designed for applications related to learning, entertainment, and personal productivity.
The computer had an Intel 8088 microprocessor that ran at 4.77 MHz–faster than most systems on the market at the time. It had 64 KB of RAM, which could be expanded to 256 KB and later to 720 KB with third party add-ons. It featured an internal 5 1/4" floppy drive and a wireless keyboard. King's Quest, a popular Adventure game of the 1980s, debuted on the PCjr.
Despite a flashy debut and a strong technology core, the PCjr flopped in the market. Consumers were not as attracted by the IBM name as business had been. Price was a major factor. The PCjr cost about the same as the Coleco Adam, but for the price, the Adam included two tape drives, a printer, and software. The PCJr was twice as expensive as the Commodore 64. With the exception of the Apple II, it was possible to purchase a complete system (computer, disk drive, and printer) from almost any of IBM's competitors for less money. However, criticism of the system focused on the "chiclet" keyboard. Similar to that of a pocket calculator, the small keys were cheap and difficult to use for touch typing. IBM later replaced this with a wireless conventional-sized keyboard. But it could only be used two or three feet away from the machine and drained batteries quickly.
Announced in November 1983 and available in March 1984, IBM sold the PCJr for $669 with 64 KB RAM, and $1,269 for 128 KB RAM. The more expensive system also included a floppy-disk drive. The device was manufactured in Lewisburg, Tennesee, by Teledyne, IBM discontinued the PCjr in March of 1985 after selling only approximately 270,000 units.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1984-1985
maker
IBM
ID Number
2002.0090.01
catalog number
2002.0090.01
accession number
2002.0090
Bob Crosby and his Orchestra. side 1: Ec-Stacy; side 2: Chain Gang (Decca DU 40145).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Bob Crosby and his Orchestra. side 1: Ec-Stacy; side 2: Chain Gang (Decca DU 40145).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1942
recording artist
Bob Crosby and his Orchestra
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1978.0670.213
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.213
maker number
DU 40145
Johnny's Machines written by Helen Palmer with illustrations by Cornelius De Witt, and published by Simon & Schuster in New York, New York, in 1949, reprint 1950.Cornelius De Witt (1905-1956) was born in Germany but spent most of his life in and around New York.
Description (Brief)

Johnny's Machines written by Helen Palmer with illustrations by Cornelius De Witt, and published by Simon & Schuster in New York, New York, in 1949, reprint 1950.

Cornelius De Witt (1905-1956) was born in Germany but spent most of his life in and around New York. De Witt worked successfully in several mediums including printmaking, painting and illustration. De Witt‘s realistic style of drawing created distinctly visual images and in turn children found the books easy to read and comprehend. He was best known for his Golden book on the human body.

Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1949
author
Palmer, Helen
illustrator
Dawitt, Cornelius
publisher
Simon and Schuster
maker
Simon and Schuster
ID Number
1990.0375.05
accession number
1990.0375
catalog number
1990.0375.05
Come Play House written by Edith Osswald with illustrations by Eloise Wilkin. This book was published by Simon and Schuster in New York, New York, in 1948, reprinted 1949.A Graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology, Eloise Wilkin (1904-1987) studied illustration.
Description (Brief)

Come Play House written by Edith Osswald with illustrations by Eloise Wilkin. This book was published by Simon and Schuster in New York, New York, in 1948, reprinted 1949.

A Graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology, Eloise Wilkin (1904-1987) studied illustration. In her early years she worked as a freelance artist in New York City, illustrating schoolbooks for children learning to read, paper dolls and puzzles. She was married and raising a family in upstate New York when she started working from home creating illustrations for Little Golden Books in 1946. A prolific illustrator, Wilkin's work is easily identifiable for her adorable images of children with round faces and rosy pink cheeks. It is reported that she modeled her characters on her own family members and friends. Her beautifully detailed settings and backgrounds demonstrate her meticulous research and attention to detail. Her depiction of the idyllic home and family life reflected the post war optimism of the 1950s. She worked for Little Golden Books until 1984 and continued to design dolls for Vogue and Madame Alexander.

A stalwart Catholic, Wilkins was much attuned to the awakening social conscious of the 1960s. In 1964, the National Urban League, headed up by Whitney Young, brought attention to what he considered a fundamental omission on the part of the juvenile publishing world who he accused of racial stereotyping. Indeed, there were no children of color depicted in this vast category of books, but Eleanor Wilkin was one of the first illustrators to include an integrated classroom in We Like Kindergarten.

Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1948
author
Osswald, Edith
illustrator
Wilkin, Eloise Burns
maker
Simon and Schuster
ID Number
1990.0375.04
accession number
1990.0375
catalog number
1990.0375.04
Bunny Berigan and his Blue Boys. side 1: You Took Advantage of Me; side 2: Chicken and Waffles (Decca 18117), from the album, Gemsof Jazz, Vol. 2 (Decca A-201).78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1935. This album was released in 1941.Currently not on view
Description
Bunny Berigan and his Blue Boys. side 1: You Took Advantage of Me; side 2: Chicken and Waffles (Decca 18117), from the album, Gemsof Jazz, Vol. 2 (Decca A-201).
78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1935. This album was released in 1941.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1935
release date
1941
recording artist
Bunny Berigan and his Blue Boys
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1978.0670.548
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
18117
A-201
catalog number
1978.0670.548
side 1: Lyn Murray and his Orchestra with Audrey Marsh. I'm Wishing; side 2: Lyn Murray and his Orchestra with Harrison Knox. One Song (Decca 23328), from the album, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Decca A-368).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
side 1: Lyn Murray and his Orchestra with Audrey Marsh. I'm Wishing; side 2: Lyn Murray and his Orchestra with Harrison Knox. One Song (Decca 23328), from the album, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Decca A-368).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1944
recording artist
Lyn Murray and his Orchestra
Marsh, Audrey
Knox, Harrison
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1979.1023.116
accession number
1979.1023
maker number
23328
A-368
catalog number
1979.1023.116
Doc Evans Ensemble. side 1: Fidgety Feet; side 2: Clarinet Marmalade (Disc 6071), from the album, Doc Evans' Dixieland Five (Disc).78 rpm.Album cover illustration was by David Stone Martin (born David Livingstone Martin, 1913-1992).
Description

Doc Evans Ensemble. side 1: Fidgety Feet; side 2: Clarinet Marmalade (Disc 6071), from the album, Doc Evans' Dixieland Five (Disc).
78 rpm.

Album cover illustration was by David Stone Martin (born David Livingstone Martin, 1913-1992). Martin was an American artist best known for his illustrations on jazz album covers for labels including Mercury, Asch, Disc, and Dial. Many of his commissions were from Martin’s longtime friend, American jazz record producer and concert promoter Norman Granz (1918-2001).

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1947
recording artist
Doc Evans Ensemble
artist
Martin, David Stone
manufacturer
Disc
ID Number
1978.0670.603
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
6071
catalog number
1978.0670.603
The Muppets. The Frog Prince (Columbia CC23530)33-1/3 rpmCurrently not on view
Description (Brief)
The Muppets. The Frog Prince (Columbia CC23530)
33-1/3 rpm
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1971
performer
Henson, Jim
maker
Columbia
ID Number
2005.0298.04
accession number
2005.0298
maker number
CC23530
catalog number
2005.0298.04
side 1: Joe Sullivan Quartet. Panama; side 2: Joe Sullivan. The Chimes (Disc 6004), from the album, Joe Sullivan Quartet (Disc 701).78 rpm.Album cover illustration was by David Stone Martin (born David Livingstone Martin, 1913-1992).
Description

side 1: Joe Sullivan Quartet. Panama; side 2: Joe Sullivan. The Chimes (Disc 6004), from the album, Joe Sullivan Quartet (Disc 701).
78 rpm.

Album cover illustration was by David Stone Martin (born David Livingstone Martin, 1913-1992). Martin was an American artist best known for his illustrations on jazz album covers for labels including Mercury, Asch, Disc, and Dial. Many of his commissions were from Martin’s longtime friend, American jazz record producer and concert promoter Norman Granz (1918-2001).

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1945
recording artist
Sullivan, Joe
Joe Sullivan Quartet
artist
Martin, David Stone
manufacturer
Disc
ID Number
1978.0670.600
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
6004
701
catalog number
1978.0670.600
side 1: The Baby Dodds Trio. Albert's Blues; side 2: Don Ewell and Baby Dodds.
Description

side 1: The Baby Dodds Trio. Albert's Blues; side 2: Don Ewell and Baby Dodds. Manhattan Stomp (Circle J-1002) from the album, A Session With Baby Dodds (Circle S-17).
78 rpm.

Album design was by Jimmy Ernst (born Hans-Ulrich Ernst, 1920-1984), a German-born American painter.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1946
recording artist
Baby Dodds Trio
Dodds, Baby
Ewell, Don
manufacturer
Circle
ID Number
1978.0670.473
maker number
J-1002
S-17
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.473
Sophie Tucker. side 1: You've Got to Be Loved to Be Healthy; side 2: The Older They Get the Younger They Want 'Em (Decca 23420), from the album, Sophie Tucker (Decca A-396).78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1944. This album was released in 1945.Currently not on view
Description
Sophie Tucker. side 1: You've Got to Be Loved to Be Healthy; side 2: The Older They Get the Younger They Want 'Em (Decca 23420), from the album, Sophie Tucker (Decca A-396).
78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1944. This album was released in 1945.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1944
release date
1945
recording artist
Tucker, Sophie
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1979.1023.117
accession number
1979.1023
maker number
23420
A-396
catalog number
1979.1023.117
Richard Dyer-Bennet. side 1: The Willow Tree; side 2: Villikens and His Dinah (Decca 24210), from the album, Richard Dyer-Bennet - 20th Century Minstrel (Decca 573).78 rpm. Side 1 was recorded in 1944. Side 2 was recorded in 1945.
Description
Richard Dyer-Bennet. side 1: The Willow Tree; side 2: Villikens and His Dinah (Decca 24210), from the album, Richard Dyer-Bennet - 20th Century Minstrel (Decca 573).
78 rpm. Side 1 was recorded in 1944. Side 2 was recorded in 1945. This album was released in 1948.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1944
1945
release date
1948
recording artist
Dyer-Bennet, Richard
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1996.0320.05098
maker number
24210
573
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05098
Savannah Churchill. side 1: The Gypsy Was Wrong; side 2: Just Whisper (Decca 29262).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Savannah Churchill. side 1: The Gypsy Was Wrong; side 2: Just Whisper (Decca 29262).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1954
recording artist
Churchill, Savannah
composer
Crane, Jimmie
Jacobs, Al
Jaffe, Moe
Reichner, Bickley
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1996.0153.08722
catalog number
1996.0153.08722
label number
29262
accession number
1996.0153
The Southernaires. side 1: Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray; side 2: Steal Away to Jesus (Decca 2856), from the album, The Southernaires in a Recital of Spirituals (Decca 83).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
The Southernaires. side 1: Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray; side 2: Steal Away to Jesus (Decca 2856), from the album, The Southernaires in a Recital of Spirituals (Decca 83).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1939
recording artist
Southernaires
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1996.0320.05286
maker number
2856
83
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05286
Frank Luther and Zora Layman.
Description
Frank Luther and Zora Layman. side 1: Christmas Day in the Morning [track 1] They Come with Blissful Sing [track 2] Baby's Night [track 3]; side 2: Gos Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen [track 1] Old Christmas [track 2] Cradle Song of the Virgin [track 3] (Decca 2863), from the album, Christmas in Song, Volume 1 (Decca 94).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1939
recording artist
Luther, Frank
Layman, Zora
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1996.0320.05175
maker number
2863
94
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05175
Jelly Roll Morton. side 1: Honky Tonk Blues I; side 2: Honky Tonk Blues II (Circle 87/88), from the album, Jelly Roll Morton, Volume 12: I'm the Winin' Boy (Circle Limited Edition #306).78 rpm.This recording is part of a limited edition 45 twelve-inch record set, The Saga of Mr.
Description

Jelly Roll Morton. side 1: Honky Tonk Blues I; side 2: Honky Tonk Blues II (Circle 87/88), from the album, Jelly Roll Morton, Volume 12: I'm the Winin' Boy (Circle Limited Edition #306).
78 rpm.

This recording is part of a limited edition 45 twelve-inch record set, The Saga of Mr. Jelly Lord. The set is comprised of interviews and musical performances of musician Ferdinand "Jelly Roll" Morton (1890-1941) recorded by American ethnomusicologist Alan Lomax (1915-2002) at the Coolidge Auditorium, Library of Congress, from May 23, 1938 to December 14, 1938. In the interviews, Morton recounts his experiences, both in New Orleans and on the road, as a popular musician of the early twentieth century.

The Saga of Mr. Jelly Lord limited edition record set was issued by Circle Sound Inc., incrementally with two albums every three months, beginning in late 1947. The recordings were pressed on red vinylite. Album design and typography for this set was by Jimmy Ernst (born Hans-Ulrich Ernst, 1920-1984), a German-born American painter.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1938
recording artist
Morton, Jelly Roll
manufacturer
Circle
ID Number
1988.0698.2607
catalog number
1988.0698.2607
accession number
1988.0698
maker number
JM-87
JM-88
serial number
306
side 1: Lyn Murray and his Orchestra. Whistle While You Work; side 2: Lyn Murray and his Orchestra with Evelyn Knight and Andy Love Four.
Description
side 1: Lyn Murray and his Orchestra. Whistle While You Work; side 2: Lyn Murray and his Orchestra with Evelyn Knight and Andy Love Four. Bluddle-Uddle-Um-Dum (The Washing Song) (Decca 23327), from the album, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Decca A-368).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1944
recording artist
Lyn Murray and his Orchestra
Knight, Evelyn
Andy Love Four
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1979.1023.115
accession number
1979.1023
maker number
23327
A-368
catalog number
1979.1023.115
Claude Bolling's French Blues Stars.
Description

Claude Bolling's French Blues Stars. side 1: You Rascal You; side 2: Nobody Knows the Way I Feel This Mornin' (Circle J-1046), from the album, Claude Bolling Jazz Band (Circle S-18).
78 rpm.

This album was designed was by Jimmy Ernst (born Hans-Ulrich Ernst, 1920-1984), a German-born American painter.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1948
recording artist
Claude Bolling's French Blues Stars
manufacturer
Circle
ID Number
1978.0670.475
maker number
J-1046
S-18
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.475
Jelly Roll Morton.
Description

Jelly Roll Morton. side 1: Aaron Harris [conclusion] [track 1] Robert Charles [part 1] [track 2]; side 2: Robert Charles [conclusion] (Circle JM-35/36), from the album Jelly Roll Morton, Volume 5: Bad Man Ballads (Circle Limited Edition #306).
78 rpm.

This recording is part of a limited edition 45 twelve-inch record set, The Saga of Mr. Jelly Lord. The set is comprised of interviews and musical performances of musician Ferdinand "Jelly Roll" Morton (1890-1941) recorded by American ethnomusicologist Alan Lomax (1915-2002) at the Coolidge Auditorium, Library of Congress, from May 23, 1938 to December 14, 1938. In the interviews, Morton recounts his experiences, both in New Orleans and on the road, as a popular musician of the early twentieth century.

The Saga of Mr. Jelly Lord limited edition record set was issued by Circle Sound Inc., incrementally with two albums every three months, beginning in late 1947. The recordings were pressed on red vinylite. Album design and typography for this set was by Jimmy Ernst (born Hans-Ulrich Ernst, 1920-1984), a German-born American painter.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1938
recording artist
Morton, Jelly Roll
manufacturer
Circle
ID Number
1988.0698.2574
catalog number
1988.0698.2574
accession number
1988.0698
maker number
JM-35
JM-36
serial number
306
side 1: John Kirby and his Onyx Club Boys. From A Flat to C; side 2: Al Cooper's Savoy Sultans. When I Grow Too Old to Dream (Decca 4206), from the album, Alto Saxology (Decca 246).78 rpm. Side 1 was originally recorded in 1938 and released on Decca 2216.
Description
side 1: John Kirby and his Onyx Club Boys. From A Flat to C; side 2: Al Cooper's Savoy Sultans. When I Grow Too Old to Dream (Decca 4206), from the album, Alto Saxology (Decca 246).
78 rpm. Side 1 was originally recorded in 1938 and released on Decca 2216. Side 2 was originally recorded in 1939 and released on Decca 2930. The album was released in 1942.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1938
1939
release date
1942
recording artist
John Kirby and his Onyx Club Boys
Al Cooper's Savoy Sultans
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1978.0670.580
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
4206
246
catalog number
1978.0670.580
The Red Army Chorus Of the U.S.S.R. side 1: From Border to Border; side 2: Cossack's Song (Keynote Recordings K 209), from the album, The Red Army Chorus Of the U.S.S.R. (Keynote Recordings 103).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
The Red Army Chorus Of the U.S.S.R. side 1: From Border to Border; side 2: Cossack's Song (Keynote Recordings K 209), from the album, The Red Army Chorus Of the U.S.S.R. (Keynote Recordings 103).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1939
recording artist
Red Army Chorus Of the U.S.S.R.
manufacturer
Keynote Recordings
ID Number
1979.1023.128
catalog number
1979.1023.128
accession number
1979.1023
maker number
K209
103
Richard Dyer-Bennet. side 1: Greensleeves; side 2: Oh Sally My Dear (Decca 24212), from the album, Richard Dyer-Bennet - 20th Century Minstrel (Decca 573).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Richard Dyer-Bennet. side 1: Greensleeves; side 2: Oh Sally My Dear (Decca 24212), from the album, Richard Dyer-Bennet - 20th Century Minstrel (Decca 573).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1944
1945
release date
1948
recording artist
Dyer-Bennet, Richard
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1996.0320.05100
maker number
24212
573
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05100
Woody Guthrie. side 1: Wake Up; side 2: Clean-o (Disc 5050), from the album, Songs To Grow On: Nursery Days (Disc 605).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Woody Guthrie. side 1: Wake Up; side 2: Clean-o (Disc 5050), from the album, Songs To Grow On: Nursery Days (Disc 605).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1949
recording artist
Guthrie, Woody
manufacturer
Disc
ID Number
1996.0320.05115
maker number
5050
605
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05115
Eddie Edwards and his Original Dixieland Jazz Band. side 1: Shake It and Break It; side 2: When You and I Where Young, Maggie (Commodore 613), from the album, Original Dixieland Jazz Band (Commodore CR-14).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Eddie Edwards and his Original Dixieland Jazz Band. side 1: Shake It and Break It; side 2: When You and I Where Young, Maggie (Commodore 613), from the album, Original Dixieland Jazz Band (Commodore CR-14).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1946
recording artist
Eddie Edwards and his Original Dixieland Jazz Band
manufacturer
Commodore
ID Number
1978.0670.560
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
613
CR-14
catalog number
1978.0670.560

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