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.

This metal lunch box was made by Thermos in 1984. The lunch box features imagery of Jim Henson’s muppet characters from the TV show, Fraggle Rock. Fraggle Rock ran from 1983-1987 on HBO in the United States, although it also aired in Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
Description (Brief)
This metal lunch box was made by Thermos in 1984. The lunch box features imagery of Jim Henson’s muppet characters from the TV show, Fraggle Rock. Fraggle Rock ran from 1983-1987 on HBO in the United States, although it also aired in Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. Fraggle Rock was HBO’s first original series, and was a worldwide hit.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1984
collected for nmah
Smithsonian Institution
maker
Thermos
ID Number
1988.3160.55
catalog number
1988.3160.55
nonaccession number
1988.3160
This metal lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1956. The lunch box features imagery based on classic fairytale, Robin Hood.
Description (Brief)
This metal lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1956. The lunch box features imagery based on classic fairytale, Robin Hood. The images on this lunchbox seem to be drawn from the 1938 film, The Adventures of Robin Hood that starred Errol Flynn in the titular role and was nominated for four Academy Awards, including best picture.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1956
collected for nmah
Smithsonian Institution
maker
Aladdin
author
Woodall
ID Number
1988.3160.60
catalog number
1988.3160.60
nonaccession number
1988.3160
This metal lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1969. The lunch boxes features imagery from the popular TV comedy show, Laugh-In. Laugh-In was a sketch comedy variety show that originally ran from 1968-1973 on NBC.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This metal lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1969. The lunch boxes features imagery from the popular TV comedy show, Laugh-In. Laugh-In was a sketch comedy variety show that originally ran from 1968-1973 on NBC.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1969
collected for nmah
Smithsonian Institution
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
1988.3160.36
nonaccession number
1988.3160
catalog number
1988.3160.36
This metal lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1973. The lunch box features imagery from the TV show The Waltons, which ran on CBS from 1972-1981.
Description (Brief)
This metal lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1973. The lunch box features imagery from the TV show The Waltons, which ran on CBS from 1972-1981. The Waltons was a huge hit, winning five Primetime Emmy’s in 1973, including the Emmy for Outstanding Drama.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1973
collected for nmah
Smithsonian Institution
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
1988.3160.44
catalog number
1988.3160.44
nonaccession number
1988.3160
This metal lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1976.
Description (Brief)
This metal lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1976. The lunch box features images of all the helmets of the National Football League teams, with one side being the teams of the National Conference, and the other side being the teams in the American Conference.
Location
Currently not on view
collected for nmah
Smithsonian Institution
associated institution
NFL
maker
Thermos
ID Number
1988.3160.53
catalog number
1988.3160.53
nonaccession number
1988.3160
This metal lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1974. The lunch box features imagery from David Carridine’s TV series, Kung Fu which ran from 1972-1975 on ABC.
Description (Brief)
This metal lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1974. The lunch box features imagery from David Carridine’s TV series, Kung Fu which ran from 1972-1975 on ABC.
Date made
1974
collected for nmah
Smithsonian Institution
maker
Thermos
ID Number
1988.3160.45
nonaccession number
1988.3160
catalog number
1988.3160.45
This metal lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1956. The lunch box features imagery from the Western show The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok, which aired from 1951-1958 on both television and the radio.
Description (Brief)
This metal lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1956. The lunch box features imagery from the Western show The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok, which aired from 1951-1958 on both television and the radio. Bill Hickok was portrayed by Guy Madison, and was accompanied by his comedic sidekick Jingles, played by Andy Devine
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1956
collected for nmah
Smithsonian Institution
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
1988.3160.47
nonaccession number
1988.3160
catalog number
1988.3160.47
This metal lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1972. The lunch box features imagery based on the annually televised Miss America Pageant.
Description (Brief)
This metal lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1972. The lunch box features imagery based on the annually televised Miss America Pageant. Originally a beauty pageant when it began in 1921, the Miss America Pageant became a “scholarship pageant” over the years, offering its first scholastic financial aid in 1945. The Miss America Pageant is now the world’s largest provider of scholarships for young women, making $45 million dollars available in scholarships on a yearly basis.
Location
Currently on loan
Date made
1972
collected for nmah
Smithsonian Institution
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
1988.3160.63
nonaccession number
1988.3160
catalog number
1988.3160.63
This metal lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1979. The box features imagery of the Space Shuttle Orbiter Enterprise. The Space Shuttle Orbiter Enterprise was the first shuttle that NASA built, but it never went to space. Instead it was used for approach and landing tests.
Description (Brief)
This metal lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1979. The box features imagery of the Space Shuttle Orbiter Enterprise. The Space Shuttle Orbiter Enterprise was the first shuttle that NASA built, but it never went to space. Instead it was used for approach and landing tests. The shuttle was originally going to be named the Constitution, but fans of the TV series Star Trek staged a write-in campaign and the shuttle was renamed after the show’s USS Enterprise NCC-1701. The shuttle now resides at the National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1979
collected for nmah
Smithsonian Institution
maker
Thermos
ID Number
1988.3160.35
catalog number
1988.3160.35
nonaccession number
1988.3160
This metal lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1968, and includes a thermos bottle. The lunch box features imagery from Land of the Giants, a television show that ran on ABC from 1968-1970.
Description (Brief)
This metal lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1968, and includes a thermos bottle. The lunch box features imagery from Land of the Giants, a television show that ran on ABC from 1968-1970. The show was produced by Irwin Allen, known for other science fiction and adventure classics like Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Lost in Space, and The Time Tunnel. This show centered around the adventures of the crew of the spacecraft Spindrift, marooned on an alien planet whose residents, while humanoid, were 72 feet tall.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1968
collected for nmah
Smithsonian Institution
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
1988.3160.59
catalog number
1988.3160.59
nonaccession number
1988.3160
This metal lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1974. The lunch box features imagery of the short-lived TV series, Space: 1999, which ran from 1975-1978 in syndication.
Description (Brief)
This metal lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1974. The lunch box features imagery of the short-lived TV series, Space: 1999, which ran from 1975-1978 in syndication. In Space: 1999, an accidental explosion of nuclear waste stored on the moon propelled the moon out of its orbit and sent it hurtling through space sending the inhabitants of Moonbase Alpha looking for a new home and encountering adventures along the way.
Date made
1974
collected for nmah
Smithsonian Institution
maker
Thermos
ID Number
1988.3160.48
catalog number
1988.3160.48
nonaccession number
1988.3160
This dome-shaped metal lunch box was made in 1977 by Aladdin Industries. The box features imagery based on the hit TV series, The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams, which ran on NBC for two years from 1977-1978.
Description (Brief)
This dome-shaped metal lunch box was made in 1977 by Aladdin Industries. The box features imagery based on the hit TV series, The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams, which ran on NBC for two years from 1977-1978. The television series was based off of a 1974 feature film of the same name that was a huge success. The fictional character of Grizzly Adams was based off of the real man, James Capen Adams, a man who roamed the wilderness and tamed bears and other animals, often for P.T. Barnum’s shows.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1977
collected for nmah
Smithsonian Institution
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
1988.3160.41
catalog number
1988.3160.41
nonaccession number
1988.3160
This metal lunch box was made by Thermos in 1977. The lunch box features imagery from the TV show, Happy Days. Happy Days ran from 1974-1984 on ABC, and was one of the most popular shows of its time.
Description (Brief)
This metal lunch box was made by Thermos in 1977. The lunch box features imagery from the TV show, Happy Days. Happy Days ran from 1974-1984 on ABC, and was one of the most popular shows of its time. It served as the genesis for iconic spin-off series like Laverne & Shirley, Mork & Mindy, and Joanie Loves Chachi.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1977
collected for nmah
Smithsonian Institution
maker
Thermos
ID Number
1988.3160.58
catalog number
1988.3160.58
nonaccession number
1988.3160
This metal lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1974. The lunch box features images of Yogi Bear, a popular cartoon character originally from the animated TV series, The Huckleberrry Hound Show.
Description (Brief)
This metal lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1974. The lunch box features images of Yogi Bear, a popular cartoon character originally from the animated TV series, The Huckleberrry Hound Show. Yogi Bear became such a popular character, that he eventually got his own series of shows, focusing on his adventures in Jellystone Park trying to outsmart Ranger Smith and get his paws on those delicious “pic-a-nic baskets.” Interestingly, the lunch box features a back with a chalkboard.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1963-1974
collected for nmah
Smithsonian Institution
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
1988.3160.49
catalog number
1988.3160.49
nonaccession number
1988.3160
This metal lunch box was made by Aladdin Industries in 1976. The lunch box features imagery from the popular children’s TV show, Mickey Mouse Club,. The original Mickey Mouse Club ran from 1955-1959 on ABC, but due to audience demand, the series remained popular into the 1960s.
Description (Brief)
This metal lunch box was made by Aladdin Industries in 1976. The lunch box features imagery from the popular children’s TV show, Mickey Mouse Club,. The original Mickey Mouse Club ran from 1955-1959 on ABC, but due to audience demand, the series remained popular into the 1960s. Syndication started in 1962, with some new features edited in to the show, and syndication lasted until 1977, when Disney revived the series with The New Mickey Mouse Club.
date made
1976
collected for nmah
Smithsonian Institution
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
1988.3160.54
catalog number
1988.3160.54
nonaccession number
1988.3160
This metal lunch box was made by Thermos in 1970. The lunch box features imagery based on the cartoon adventures of Wile E. Coyote and The Road Runner.
Description (Brief)
This metal lunch box was made by Thermos in 1970. The lunch box features imagery based on the cartoon adventures of Wile E. Coyote and The Road Runner. These shorts were featured in a variety of Loony Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoons, all centering on the Coyote trying to catch the Road Runner, often using a variety of products from the Acme Corporation.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1970
collected for nmah
Smithsonian Institution
maker
Thermos
ID Number
1988.3160.50
catalog number
1988.3160.50
nonaccession number
1988.3160
This metal lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1967. The lunch box features images from the cartoon serial, Dick Tracy.
Description (Brief)
This metal lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1967. The lunch box features images from the cartoon serial, Dick Tracy. Dick Tracy is depicted speaking into his two-way wristwatch radio, a 1946 addition to the comic strip that became the Tracy’s signature device and captured the imagination of children everywhere.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1967
collected for nmah
Smithsonian Institution
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
1988.3160.46
nonaccession number
1988.3160
catalog number
1988.3160.46
This metal lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1971. The lunch box features images based on the musical TV show, The Partridge Family that ran on ABC from 1970-1974.
Description (Brief)
This metal lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1971. The lunch box features images based on the musical TV show, The Partridge Family that ran on ABC from 1970-1974. The television show crossed over into musical success, as The Partridge Family Album was released in 1970, and sold over a million copies.
Date made
1971
collected for nmah
Smithsonian Institution
maker
Thermos
ID Number
1988.3160.42
catalog number
1988.3160.42
nonaccession number
1988.3160
This metal lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1976. The lunch box features imagery from the TV show Welcome Back, Kotter that aired from 1975-1979 on ABC.
Description (Brief)
This metal lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1976. The lunch box features imagery from the TV show Welcome Back, Kotter that aired from 1975-1979 on ABC. Welcome Back, Kotter was a huge hit, helping propel John Travolta on to star in movies such as Grease and Saturday Night Fever.
Date made
1976
collected for nmah
Smithsonian Institution
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
1988.3160.57
catalog number
1988.3160.57
nonaccession number
1988.3160
This metal lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1981. The lunch box features imagery based on the TV series, The Fall Guy. The Fall Guy ran on ABC from 1981-1986.
Description (Brief)
This metal lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1981. The lunch box features imagery based on the TV series, The Fall Guy. The Fall Guy ran on ABC from 1981-1986. The show starred Lee Majors as Colt Seavers, a Hollywood stuntman who uses the skills he develops as a “fall guy” to create a secondary source of income as a bounty hunter.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1981
collected for nmah
Smithsonian Institution
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
1988.3160.38
catalog number
1988.3160.38
nonaccession number
1988.3160
This metal lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1985. The lunch box features imagery based on the TV show, Thundercats, that ran in syndication from 1985-1987.
Description (Brief)
This metal lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1985. The lunch box features imagery based on the TV show, Thundercats, that ran in syndication from 1985-1987. The show was an exciting mix between fantasy, science-fiction, and mythology that recounted the adventures of the ThunderCats as they battled the evil Mumm-Ra on Third Earth.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1985
collected for nmah
Smithsonian Institution
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
1988.3160.43
catalog number
1988.3160.43
nonaccession number
1988.3160
This metal lunch box was made by Aladdin Industries in 1974. The lunch box features imagery based on Lee Majors hit TV show, The Six Million Dollar Man, which ran from 1974-1978 on ABC.
Description (Brief)
This metal lunch box was made by Aladdin Industries in 1974. The lunch box features imagery based on Lee Majors hit TV show, The Six Million Dollar Man, which ran from 1974-1978 on ABC. The front of the box features Lee Major’s character Steve Austin using his bionic abilities to bend steel, leap a car, outrace a horse, and uproot a small tree. The opposite side shows Austin using his bionic strength to dispatch bad guys wielding a small tree.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1974
collected for nmah
Smithsonian Institution
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
1988.3160.51
catalog number
1988.3160.51
nonaccession number
1988.3160
This metal lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1969. The lunch box features imagery from Diahann Carroll’s hit TV series, Julia which aired from 1968-1971 on NBC.
Description (Brief)
This metal lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1969. The lunch box features imagery from Diahann Carroll’s hit TV series, Julia which aired from 1968-1971 on NBC. Julia was applauded for its depiction of African-American life in a suburban setting, and this lunch box is notable for being one of the first depictions of a black woman on a commerically-available lunch box.
Date made
1969
collected for nmah
Smithsonian Institution
maker
Thermos
ID Number
1988.3160.37
nonaccession number
1988.3160
catalog number
1988.3160.37
This metal lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1981. The lunch box features imagery based on the TV show, Knight Rider, which aired from 1982-1986 on NBC. Knight Rider chronicled the adventures of K.I.T.T.
Description (Brief)
This metal lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1981. The lunch box features imagery based on the TV show, Knight Rider, which aired from 1982-1986 on NBC. Knight Rider chronicled the adventures of K.I.T.T. the talking car, and K.I.T.T.’s driver Michael Knight, played by David Hasselhoff.
Date made
1981
collected for nmah
Smithsonian Institution
maker
Thermos
ID Number
1988.3160.52
catalog number
1988.3160.52
nonaccession number
1988.3160

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