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.

Northstar developed from a computer store called "The Original Kentucky Fried Computer." It changed its name due to impending litigation by Kentucky Fried Chicken. The company's first product was a Floating Point Math Board for S-100 computers.
Description
Northstar developed from a computer store called "The Original Kentucky Fried Computer." It changed its name due to impending litigation by Kentucky Fried Chicken. The company's first product was a Floating Point Math Board for S-100 computers. They then developed an inexpensive floppy drive system. This led the way to the Horizon, one of the first computers with built in floppy drives.
Announced in November 1977, the Horizon was sold in a wooden cabinet, as opposed to the more usual metal or plastic. The initial price was $1,899 assembled and $1,599 unassembled. The Horizon ran on a Z-80 microprocessor that ran at 4 MHz. It contained 16 KB of RAM, which could be expanded to 64 KB and 1 KB of ROM. The operating system was both CP/M and Northstar DOS. The machine was among the first to offer floppy drives, and customers could order one or two 90 KB 5 ¼" drives. Northstar was also one of the first machines to offer a hard disk drive. This was called an HD-18, and had 18 megabytes on an 18" platter. The Northstar Horizon was suited for business, education, and software development applications.
This particular machine was donated to the Smithsonian by Peter A. McWilliams. He used it in writing The Word Processing Book: A Short Course in Computer Literacy (1982). When it sold well, McWilliams wrote The Personal Computer Book, (1983), which became a runaway bestseller. This was his first computer.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1977
maker
Northstar
ID Number
1989.0354.01
catalog number
1989.0354.01
accession number
1989.0354
Blue leather cover, marked "Autographs" in gold, with first several pages used. Many signed with "San Francisco" and the date.
Description
Blue leather cover, marked "Autographs" in gold, with first several pages used. Many signed with "San Francisco" and the date. Seems to have been used at the end of a school term: "I have often looked upon it as the wost condition of man's destiny, that persons are so often torn asunder just as they become happy in each others society".
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1883
ID Number
1979.1182.25
accession number
1979.1182
catalog number
1979.1182.25
Working on assignment, Henry Horenstein photographed EmmyLou Harris (b. 1947) at her home. In the 1970s, Harris represented the generation of musicians who were influenced by traditional country, rock, and folk music.
Description
Working on assignment, Henry Horenstein photographed EmmyLou Harris (b. 1947) at her home. In the 1970s, Harris represented the generation of musicians who were influenced by traditional country, rock, and folk music. Over the years, Harris has had a profound impact on contemporary popular and country music.
Location
Currently not on view
negative
1980
print
2003
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.034
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.034
J. Stratton Shufelt. side 1: Overshadowed; side 2: The Old Ship Zion (Fellowship Music FM 019/020), from the album, Strat Sings (Fellowship Music 1).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
J. Stratton Shufelt. side 1: Overshadowed; side 2: The Old Ship Zion (Fellowship Music FM 019/020), from the album, Strat Sings (Fellowship Music 1).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording artist
Shufelt, J. Stratton
manufacturer
Fellowship Music
ID Number
1996.0320.05267
maker number
FM 019/020
FM 1
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05267
Oak Ridge Quartet. side 1: No Tears in Heaven; side 2: Old Time Religion (Capitol 48023), from the album, Songs from The Grand Ole Opry (Capitol AD 86).78 rpm.The cover art for this album was made by Carlos Andreson.
Description

Oak Ridge Quartet. side 1: No Tears in Heaven; side 2: Old Time Religion (Capitol 48023), from the album, Songs from The Grand Ole Opry (Capitol AD 86).
78 rpm.

The cover art for this album was made by Carlos Andreson. Andreson, also as Anderson, (1905-1978) was an American painter, lithographer, and teacher. A native of Salt Lake City, Utah, Andreson studied at the University of Utah, then subsequently in Los Angeles, New York, Paris, and Berlin. In 1933, Andreson returned to the United States, creating paintings and drawings of early pioneer life for the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and teaching at Utah Arts Center. After the start of WWII, Anderson was commissioned by Abbott Laboratories to paint medical subjects at the stateside Naval hospitals. Andreson moved to San Francisco after the war where he produced artwork for the Oakland Army Base.

Location
Currently not on view
release date
1948
recording artist
Oak Ridge Quartet
manufacturer
Capitol
ID Number
1996.0320.05119
maker number
48023
AD 86
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05119
Tex Ritter. side 1: I Love My Rooster; side 2: Texas Rangers (Capitol 20038). from the album, Children's Songs and Stories (Capitol BD-14).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Tex Ritter. side 1: I Love My Rooster; side 2: Texas Rangers (Capitol 20038). from the album, Children's Songs and Stories (Capitol BD-14).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1945
recording artist
Ritter, Tex
manufacturer
Capitol
ID Number
1996.0320.05224
maker number
20038
BD-14
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05224
Carl Myles. side 1: Bird in the Cage; side 2: Sally Goodin (Imperial 1079), from the album, Square Dance (Imperial FD-15).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Carl Myles. side 1: Bird in the Cage; side 2: Sally Goodin (Imperial 1079), from the album, Square Dance (Imperial FD-15).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1940s
recording artist
Myles, Carl
manufacturer
Imperial
ID Number
1996.0320.05194
maker number
1079
FD-15
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05194
Tex Ritter. side 1: The Phantom White Stallion of Skull Valley; side 2: The Wreck of Number Nine (Capitol 20039), from the album, Children's Songs and Stories (Capitol BD-14).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Tex Ritter. side 1: The Phantom White Stallion of Skull Valley; side 2: The Wreck of Number Nine (Capitol 20039), from the album, Children's Songs and Stories (Capitol BD-14).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1945
recording artist
Ritter, Tex
manufacturer
Capitol
ID Number
1996.0320.05225
maker number
20039
BD-14
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05225
Cliffie Stone. side 1: Soldier's Joy; side 2: Special Instructions for Square Dancing (Capitol 20098), from the album, Square Dances (Capitol BD 44).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Cliffie Stone. side 1: Soldier's Joy; side 2: Special Instructions for Square Dancing (Capitol 20098), from the album, Square Dances (Capitol BD 44).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1947
recording artist
Cliffie Stone and his Square Dance Band
manufacturer
Capitol
ID Number
1996.0320.05293
maker number
20098
BD 44
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05293
The Dinning Sisters. side 1: Aunt Hagar's Blue; side 2: Where Or When (Capitol 20018),from the album, Songs of the Dinning Sisters (Capitol B-D 7).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
The Dinning Sisters. side 1: Aunt Hagar's Blue; side 2: Where Or When (Capitol 20018),from the album, Songs of the Dinning Sisters (Capitol B-D 7).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1945
recording artist
Dinning Sisters
manufacturer
Capitol
ID Number
1996.0320.05087
maker number
20018
B-D 7
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05087
Fanny Brice. side 1: Cleaniness; side 2: Good and Bad (Capitol 7-32023), from the album, Baby Snooks (Capitol DC 3081).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Fanny Brice. side 1: Cleaniness; side 2: Good and Bad (Capitol 7-32023), from the album, Baby Snooks (Capitol DC 3081).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1949
recording artist
Brice, Fanny
manufacturer
Capitol
ID Number
1996.0320.05059
maker number
7-32023
DC 3081
catalog number
1996.0320.05059
accession number
1996.0320
Uncle Henry's Original Kentucky Mountaineers. side 1: The Love That We Once Knew; side 2: Those "Gone and Left Me" Blues (Capitol 48034), from the album, Music from the Hills (Capitol AD 136).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Uncle Henry's Original Kentucky Mountaineers. side 1: The Love That We Once Knew; side 2: Those "Gone and Left Me" Blues (Capitol 48034), from the album, Music from the Hills (Capitol AD 136).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1949
recording artist
Uncle Henry's Original Kentucky Mountaineers
manufacturer
Capitol
ID Number
1996.0320.05317
maker number
48034
AD 136
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05317
Cliffie Stone. side 1: I'm Foever Blowing Bubble; side 2: Missouri Waltz (Capitol 48031), from the album, Waltzes (Capitol AD 108).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Cliffie Stone. side 1: I'm Foever Blowing Bubble; side 2: Missouri Waltz (Capitol 48031), from the album, Waltzes (Capitol AD 108).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1948
recording artist
Stone, Cliffie
manufacturer
Capitol
ID Number
1996.0320.05302
maker number
48031
AD 108
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05302
Ray Charles. side 1: I'm Glad For Your Sake; side 2: Kissa Me Baby (Swing Time 274).78 rpm. Side 1 was recorded in 1949. Side 2 was recorded in 1950.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Ray Charles. side 1: I'm Glad For Your Sake; side 2: Kissa Me Baby (Swing Time 274).
78 rpm. Side 1 was recorded in 1949. Side 2 was recorded in 1950.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1949
1950
composer; recording artist
Charles, Ray
composer
Lawrence, Jack
Tinturin, Peter
manufacturer
Swing Time
ID Number
1996.0153.08697
catalog number
1996.0153.08697
label number
274
accession number
1996.0153
Pete Daily's Dixieland Band. side 1: Sensation; side 2: Original Dixieland One-Step (Capitol 15432), from the album, Pete Daily's Dixieland Band (Capitol CC-183).78 rpm.This album cover was painted by American artist William George (b. 1930).
Description

Pete Daily's Dixieland Band. side 1: Sensation; side 2: Original Dixieland One-Step (Capitol 15432), from the album, Pete Daily's Dixieland Band (Capitol CC-183).
78 rpm.

This album cover was painted by American artist William George (b. 1930). George is an American illustrator and painter who studied under Norman Rockwell. George’s work has been featured on album covers, paperback crime and western covers, and magazine covers.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1949
recording artist
Pete Daily's Dixieland Band
manufacturer
Capitol
ID Number
1978.0670.451
maker number
15432
CC-183
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.451
maker
Liberace Music
ID Number
1986.0803.01
accession number
1986.0803
catalog number
1986.0803.01
Ray Charles. side 1: Honey, Honey; side 2: She's on the Ball (Swing Time 218).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Ray Charles. side 1: Honey, Honey; side 2: She's on the Ball (Swing Time 218).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1949
recording artist
Charles, Ray
composer
Andre, Ray
Green, V.
manufacturer
Swing Time
ID Number
1996.0153.08696
catalog number
1996.0153.08696
label number
218
accession number
1996.0153
Oak Ridge Quartet. side 1: Gonna Move This Wicked Race; side 2: Turn Your Radio On (Capitol 48022), from the album, Songs from the Grand Ole Opry (Capitol AD 86).78 rpm.The cover art for this album was made by Carlos Andreson.
Description

Oak Ridge Quartet. side 1: Gonna Move This Wicked Race; side 2: Turn Your Radio On (Capitol 48022), from the album, Songs from the Grand Ole Opry (Capitol AD 86).
78 rpm.

The cover art for this album was made by Carlos Andreson. Andreson, also as Anderson, (1905-1978) was an American painter, lithographer, and teacher. A native of Salt Lake City, Utah, Andreson studied at the University of Utah, then subsequently in Los Angeles, New York, Paris, and Berlin. In 1933, Andreson returned to the United States, creating paintings and drawings of early pioneer life for the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and teaching at Utah Arts Center. After the start of WWII, Anderson was commissioned by Abbott Laboratories to paint medical subjects at the stateside Naval hospitals. Andreson moved to San Francisco after the war where he produced artwork for the Oakland Army Base.

Location
Currently not on view
release date
1948
recording artist
Oak Ridge Quartet
manufacturer
Capitol
ID Number
1996.0320.05118
maker number
48022
AD 86
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05118
Jack Teargarden's Chicagoans. side 1: Stars Fell on Alabama; side 2: Deed I Do (Capitol 10027), from the album, The History of Jazz Vol. 2 - The Golden Era (Capitol CE-17).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Jack Teargarden's Chicagoans. side 1: Stars Fell on Alabama; side 2: Deed I Do (Capitol 10027), from the album, The History of Jazz Vol. 2 - The Golden Era (Capitol CE-17).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1943
recording artist
Jack Teagarden's Chicagoans
manufacturer
Capitol
ID Number
1978.0670.087
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
10027
catalog number
1978.0670.087
maker number
CE-17
Carl Myles. side 1: Lady Round the Lady; side 2: Cheyenne Whirl (Imperial 1078), from the album, Square Dance (Imperial FD-15).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Carl Myles. side 1: Lady Round the Lady; side 2: Cheyenne Whirl (Imperial 1078), from the album, Square Dance (Imperial FD-15).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1940s
recording artist
Myles, Carl
manufacturer
Imperial
ID Number
1996.0320.05193
maker number
1078
FD-15
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05193
This 29-inch bass drum was used by the Fillmore Citrus Association Mexican Band, which performed during the 1920’s and 1930’s and led by conductor, Manuel Lucero.
Description (Brief)
This 29-inch bass drum was used by the Fillmore Citrus Association Mexican Band, which performed during the 1920’s and 1930’s and led by conductor, Manuel Lucero. The band primarily played throughout Ventura County, California and is known to have performed waltzes, polkas, tangos, and foxtrots, but also familiar Mexican numbers in parades, concerts, birthday parties, and other community celebrations such as July Fourth and Dieciséis de Septiembre celebrations.
The band was sponsored by The Fillmore Growers Association, an agricultural association that lobbied for the citrus industry, help set prices, set wages, manage labor housing programs, and organize public activities like fairs. Across Southern California, citrus growers installed company housing in order to recruit and maintain workers with families. As a result, large barrios or colonias of Mexican and Mexican American families formed in and around citrus farming areas of southern California. Leisure activities like sports teams and musical performances were sponsored, and at times controlled, by these associations as a way to help Americanize the foreign workers.
This type of “banda” or “orcesta” played a musical style similar to the brass bands of the eastern U.S. This interest in this type of music and the creation of these bands were formed, in part, to help create an American identity but the band members and colonias celebrating Mexican holidays and playing Mexican music, firmly kept a hold of their Mexican traditions and culture.
date made
ca 1920 - 1940
maker
Ludwig Drum Company
ID Number
2018.0213.01
accession number
2018.0213
catalog number
2018.0213.01
Carl Myles. side 1: Lady Half Way Round; side 2: The Rout (Imperial 1077), from the album, Square Dance (Imperial FD-15).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Carl Myles. side 1: Lady Half Way Round; side 2: The Rout (Imperial 1077), from the album, Square Dance (Imperial FD-15).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1940s
Associated Name
Myles, Carl
manufacturer
Imperial
ID Number
1996.0320.05192
maker number
1077
FD-15
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05192
"Mr. Dixie" Nappy Lamare. side 1: Palasteena; side 2: Black and White Rag (Dixieland Jubilee 100).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
"Mr. Dixie" Nappy Lamare. side 1: Palasteena; side 2: Black and White Rag (Dixieland Jubilee 100).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1949
recording artist
Lamare, Nappy
manufacturer
Dixieland Jubilee
ID Number
1978.0670.245
maker number
100
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.245
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra. side 1: Lonely Moments; side 2: Whistle Blues (Capitol 324).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra. side 1: Lonely Moments; side 2: Whistle Blues (Capitol 324).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1947
recording artist
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra
manufacturer
Capitol
ID Number
1981.0566.023
accession number
1981.0566
maker number
374
catalog number
1981.0566.023

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