Family & Social Life

Bennet Family Record

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.

Date: 1980s

Courtney Kennedy wedding

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1980-06-15
photographer
Regan, Ken
ID Number
2014.0112.588
catalog number
2014.0112.588
accession number
2014.0112

Courtney Kennedy wedding

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1980-06-15
photographer
Regan, Ken
ID Number
2014.0112.582
catalog number
2014.0112.582
accession number
2014.0112

The Story of Jazz

N'Orleans Statesmen Band. The Story of Jaxx (Art of Jazz VPA-AZ-963)33-1/3 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
N'Orleans Statesmen Band. The Story of Jaxx (Art of Jazz VPA-AZ-963)
33-1/3 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1983
maker
Art of Jazz, Inc.
ID Number
1985.0035.01
accession number
1985.0035
catalog number
1985.0035.01
maker number
VPA-AZ-963

Ted Kennedy

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1960s-1980s
depicted (sitter)
Kennedy, Edward M.
Associated Name
Run DMC
Perkins, Carl
Smith, Howard K.
Nixon, Patricia
maker
Regan, Ken
ID Number
2013.0327.1220
accession number
2013.0327
catalog number
2013.0327.1220

Return of the Roaring Twenties

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1984
maker
Webco Recording Studio
ID Number
1984.0879.01
accession number
1984.0879
maker number
WLPS 5001
catalog number
1984.0879.01

Popeye Lunch Box

This tin lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1980. The lunch box has a red and yellow design depicting colorful action scenes and characters from the cartoon, Popeye on the exterior.
Description (Brief)
This tin lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1980. The lunch box has a red and yellow design depicting colorful action scenes and characters from the cartoon, Popeye on the exterior. Popeye and Brutus are depicted arguing over Olive Oyl on one side, and engaged in an arm wrestling contest on the other.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1980
maker
Aladdin Thermos Company
ID Number
2001.3087.32
nonaccession number
2001.3087
catalog number
2001.3087.32

The A-Team Lunch Box

This tin lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1983. This lunch box features the characters from the television series, The A-Team on the exterior.
Description (Brief)
This tin lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1983. This lunch box features the characters from the television series, The A-Team on the exterior. The A-Team ran from 1983-1987 on NBC, and the box shows some of the explosive action that The A-Team was known for.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1983
maker
King Seeley Thermos
ID Number
2004.3009.01
nonaccession number
2004.3009
catalog number
2004.3009.01

Courtney Kennedy wedding

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1980-06-15
photographer
Regan, Ken
ID Number
2014.0112.540
catalog number
2014.0112.540
accession number
2014.0112

Robert Kennedy funeral

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1980
depicted (sitter)
Kennedy, Edward M.
referenced
Kennedy, Robert F.
photographer
Regan, Ken
ID Number
2014.0112.552
catalog number
2014.0112.552
accession number
2014.0112

Apple Macintosh Mouse

Invented in 1963, the mouse improved interactions with computers. However, not until 1984, when Apple Computers introduced the Macintosh and its graphical user interface, did the mouse become a standard computer component.Currently not on view
Description
Invented in 1963, the mouse improved interactions with computers. However, not until 1984, when Apple Computers introduced the Macintosh and its graphical user interface, did the mouse become a standard computer component.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1984
maker
Apple Computer
ID Number
1985.3011.01.1
catalog number
1985.3011.01.1
nonaccession number
1985.3011

Exidy Sorcerer Microcomputer

Exidy, a leading manufacturer of home and arcade video games, introduced its Sorcerer home computer in 1978. The Sorcer used a Z-80 processor that ran at 2.106 MHz and came with 8 KB of RAM, which could be expanded to 32 KB. It ran the CP/M operating system.
Description
Exidy, a leading manufacturer of home and arcade video games, introduced its Sorcerer home computer in 1978. The Sorcer used a Z-80 processor that ran at 2.106 MHz and came with 8 KB of RAM, which could be expanded to 32 KB. It ran the CP/M operating system. It sold for $898 with 8 KB of RAM, $1150 with 16 KB of RAM, and $1395 with 32 KB of RAM. It also contained 4 K of ROM. Programs were loaded with plug-in ROM cartridges, and the machine came with a standard BASIC cartridge. This was essentially the common Microsoft BASIC already widely used in the CP/M world. But Exidy added a number of one-stroke commands that allowed users to type in common instructions such as PRINT with a single keystroke. Another popular cartridge contained an early version of the word processor Spellbinder. Users could connect the machine to a standard TV, but the company also offered its own Exidy "Video/Disk" monitor for $2,995.
Judged against its competitors, the Commodore PET and Radio Shack TRS-80, the Sorcerer was comparatively advanced when it appeared. Due to a lack of marketing in the United States, however, it did not sell well there. It did better in Europe and Australia. Exidy took the machine off the market in 1980.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1978-1980
maker
Exidy, Inc.
ID Number
1993.0546.01
catalog number
1993.0546.01
accession number
1993.0546

Michael Kennedy wedding

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1981-03-16
photographer
Regan, Ken
ID Number
2014.0112.533
catalog number
2014.0112.533
accession number
2014.0112

The Broadway Album

Barbra Steisand. The Broadway Album (Columbia OC 40092)33-1/3 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Barbra Steisand. The Broadway Album<./i> (Columbia OC 40092)
33-1/3 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1985
recording artist
Streisand, Barbra
maker
Columbia
ID Number
1986.0514.01
accession number
1986.0514
maker number
40092
catalog number
1986.0514.01

Solar Sat, Sunday Peaches, Lisa, Jesse Lee Rainbow and Dhana Pilar Law, 1986.

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1986
date printed
1998
maker
West, Sybel
ID Number
1998.0138.06
catalog number
1998.0138.06
accession number
1998.0138

The Tatum Solo Materpieces

Art Tatum. The Art Tatum Solo Masterpieces, Vol. II (Pablo 2310-864)33-1/3 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Art Tatum. The Art Tatum Solo Masterpieces, Vol. II (Pablo 2310-864)
33-1/3 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1981
recording artist
Turner, Pat
maker
Pablo
ID Number
1986.0425.04
accession number
1986.0425
catalog number
1986.0425.04

The A-Team Lunch Box

This tin lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1985. This lunch box features the characters from the television series, The A-Team on the exterior.
Description (Brief)
This tin lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1985. This lunch box features the characters from the television series, The A-Team on the exterior. The A-Team ran from 1983-1987 on NBC, and the box shows some of the explosive action that The A-Team was known for.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1985
maker
Thermos Company
ID Number
2001.3087.36
nonaccession number
2001.3087
catalog number
2001.3087.36

IBM PCjr Microcomputer

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

Peanuts Thermos

This yellow plastic thermos bottle was made by Thermos in 1985. It has a beige screw-on plastic cup lid with handle, and a screw-on plastic stopper with a yellow hinged pouring spout.
Description (Brief)
This yellow plastic thermos bottle was made by Thermos in 1985. It has a beige screw-on plastic cup lid with handle, and a screw-on plastic stopper with a yellow hinged pouring spout. The thermos features is a colorful cartoon image of Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and Woodstock of the Peanuts comic strip on the front.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1985
maker
King Seeley Thermos
ID Number
2004.3009.02.02
nonaccession number
2004.3009
catalog number
2004.3009.02.02

Tetris cartridge for the Game Boy

All original Game Boys were bundled with Tetris, an addictive game developed in 1985 by Russian mathematician Alexey Pazhitnov and assisted by Dmitry Pavlovsky and Vadim Gerasimov.
Description
All original Game Boys were bundled with Tetris, an addictive game developed in 1985 by Russian mathematician Alexey Pazhitnov and assisted by Dmitry Pavlovsky and Vadim Gerasimov. As with the NES, game software was stored on removable cartridges, allowing users to switch games at whim.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
CA 1985
ca 1985
Associated Name
Huynh, Richard
maker
Nintendo Co., Ltd.
ID Number
2003.0344.02
catalog number
2003.0344.02
accession number
2003.0344

Courtney Kennedy wedding

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1980-06-15
photographer
Regan, Ken
ID Number
2014.0112.583
catalog number
2014.0112.583
accession number
2014.0112

Apple II Microcomputer

In 1976, computer pioneers Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs began selling their Apple I computer in kit form to computer stores. By August of that year, Wozniak started designing an improved version, the Apple II.
Description
In 1976, computer pioneers Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs began selling their Apple I computer in kit form to computer stores. By August of that year, Wozniak started designing an improved version, the Apple II. Wozniak and Jobs demonstrated a prototype in December, and then introduced it to the public in April 1977. The Apple II started the boom in personal computer sales in the late 1970s, and pushed Apple into the lead among personal computer makers.
The Apple II used a MOS 6502 chip for its central processing unit. It came with 4 KB RAM, but could be extended up to 48 KB RAM. It included a BASIC interpreter and could support graphics and a color monitor. External storage was originally on cassette tape, but later Apple introduced an external floppy disk drive. Among the Apple II's most important features were its 8 expansion slots on the motherboard. These allowed hobbyists to add additional cards made by Apple and many other vendors who quickly sprung up. The boards included floppy disk controllers, SCSI cards, video cards, and CP/M or PASCAL emulator cards.
In 1979 Software Arts introduced the first computer spreadsheet, Visicalc for the Apple II. This "killer application" was extremely popular and fostered extensive sales of the Apple II.
The Apple II went through several improvements and upgrades. By 1984, when the Macintosh appeared, over 2 million Apple II computers had been sold.
The Warners acquired ithis computer in the fall of 1981, partly for use by their son Benjamin who had just turned thirteen. He used it to play Pacman. Jack Warner's 2023 recollection of using the computer was as follows: "A friend told me about a wonderful new computer and a program, Visicalc, written by Dan Bricklin, that would allow you to easily manipulate numbers in cells and generate equations.
It proved to be a good tool to generate spreadsheets (a new word then!) to analyze potential real estate investments and returns. The kids loved to play Little Brick Out and Lemonade Stand, two games that came with the Apple software. Lisa also and Apple program allowed you to ask questions, with Lisa returning an answer that led you on. It appeared to be prescient! "Alien Rain" in which items dropped from the top of the screen and you would have to shoot them down by moving the arrow keys fascinated the kids for hours and days. The breakthrough for usefulness was the acquisition of "Magic Word", probably the first word processor for Apple. An Epson dot matrix printer was added shortly thereafter, 80 cpi, wow! The setup donated to the SI includes an Apple floppy drive and Offbrand Monitor (Apple monitors were hard to come by. At one point I unhooked the floppy drive while the machine was running and blew out the floppy board. No hot swapping then! It was all cut and try. The addition of the MicroSoft CP/M internal board later allowed the use of Wordstar, a feature rich word processor. The following year, we set up 3 Apple IIs and employed the family to quickly generate a computer file from a manuscript in record time. Impressed the client!"
In addition to the central processing unit and keyboard for the Apple II (1990.0167.01.1), the NMAH collections include the monitor for the machine (1990.0167.01.2), the disk drive (1990.0167.02), an Apple Silenttype printer (1990.0167.03.1) and a circuit board for the printer (1990.0167.03.2).
Reference:
Personal Communication, Jack Warner, June 30, 2023.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1977-1987
date made
1980
maker
Apple Computer
ID Number
1990.0167.01.1
catalog number
1990.0167.01.1
accession number
1990.0167

Courtney Kennedy wedding

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1980-06-15
photographer
Regan, Ken
ID Number
2014.0112.587
catalog number
2014.0112.587
accession number
2014.0112

Fraggle Rock Lunch Box

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

Family Activity Calendar

Camilla Lindsay's grandmother made this calendar to keep track of the entire family’s activities. Called “The Board,” it hung in the kitchen and was used to schedule leisure activities, scrawl messages, keep track of phone numbers, etc.
Description
Camilla Lindsay's grandmother made this calendar to keep track of the entire family’s activities. Called “The Board,” it hung in the kitchen and was used to schedule leisure activities, scrawl messages, keep track of phone numbers, etc. Included are three erasable pens, black, blue and red.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1980-1989
ID Number
1998.0010.01
catalog number
1998.0010.01
accession number
1998.0010

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