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.

Place: California

Bass Drum, from the Fillmore Citrus Association Mexican Band

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

George Lewis' Ragtime Band

George Lewis' Ragtime Band. George Lewis' Ragtome Band (Jazz Man LP1).33-1/3 rpm.Jazz Man Records was founded by David Ashford Stuart in 1941. The record label was devoted to traditional New Orleans-style jazz.
Description (Brief)

George Lewis' Ragtime Band. George Lewis' Ragtome Band (Jazz Man LP1).
33-1/3 rpm.

Jazz Man Records was founded by David Ashford Stuart in 1941. The record label was devoted to traditional New Orleans-style jazz. In 1946, Stuart sold the label to Nesuhi Ertegun, brother of Ahmet Ertegun, founder of Atlantic Records, and Nesuhi’s wife Marili Morden, owners of the Jazz Man Record Shop in Hollywood, the label’s namesake. Jazz Man Records continued to produce recordings until late 1954.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1953
recording artist
George Lewis' Ragtime Band
manufacturer
Jazz Man
ID Number
1978.0670.707
maker number
LP1
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.707

Sweet Georgia Bop; Sweet Georgia Brown

Wardell Gray and Vido Musso.
Description (Brief)

Wardell Gray and Vido Musso. side 1: Sweet Georgia Bop; side 2: Sweet Georgia Brown (Modern 20-611).
78 rpm.

This pressing is from a live recording in the Civic Auditorium, Pasadena, California in 1947 of a Just Jazz concert presented by American impresario, Gene Norman.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1947
associated person
Gray, Wardell
Musso, Vido
manufacturer
Modern
ID Number
1978.0670.332
maker number
20-611
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.332

Sweet Lorraine; Embraceable You

The King Cole Trio. side 1: Sweet Lorraine; side 2: Embraceable You (Capitol 20009), from the album, Capitol presents: The King Cole Trio (Capitol BD-8).78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1943. The album was released in 1944.Currently not on view
Description
The King Cole Trio. side 1: Sweet Lorraine; side 2: Embraceable You (Capitol 20009), from the album, Capitol presents: The King Cole Trio (Capitol BD-8).
78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1943. The album was released in 1944.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1943
recording artist
King Cole Trio
manufacturer
Capitol
ID Number
1978.0670.447
maker number
20009
BD-8
catalog number
1978.0670.447
accession number
1978.0670

Tortilladora, tortilla press

Concepción “Concha” Sanchez used this hand-cranked tortilladora to press masa into tortillas. Machines like this were invented in Mexico by 1911. This “La Rotative” press dates from about 1923 but was bought used by the Sanchez family in the 1940s.
Description
Concepción “Concha” Sanchez used this hand-cranked tortilladora to press masa into tortillas. Machines like this were invented in Mexico by 1911. This “La Rotative” press dates from about 1923 but was bought used by the Sanchez family in the 1940s. Her grandson, Adrian Sanchez, fondly recalls the machine and working with her to make tortillas and tamales:
I recall helping my Grandmother Concepcion Sanchez make corn tortillas for her to sell….[in] 1948 in Fillmore, California. …My uncle Arnulfo [bought] his mother a molino, a machine that grinds corn for masa to make tortillas…a comal, a griddle to cook the…tortillas, and a machine [tortilladora] that actually made the tortillas…the dry corn was cooked [and limed]…The cooked corn was then ready to be ground in the molino…The ground masa was then gathered into large balls to be placed on the machine…when the handle was turned, a tortilla would fall on an attached conveyor belt which…would drop the uncooked tortilla onto the comal…After the tortillas cooked, they were stacked and counted into dozens… The…neighborhood came to buy their warm tortillas…A…batch was sent…to…Tio Nuco’s market …During…Christmas…Grandma [made] masa for tamales…[she]…was into her 80’s when she quit. (Smithsonian interview, 2006)
Concha Sanchez and her family followed the path of many Mexican immigrants who turned their traditional foodways into a staple of community life. Concha and Abundio Sanchez migrated from Mexico in 1912 at the beginning of the Mexican Revolution. Through the 1920s, they worked in Kansas, in Texas, and in the produce fields of California, eventually opening a grocery store. When that failed in the Great Depression, Concha supported her family by creating a tortilleria, making and selling tortillas in her Ventura County neighborhood. Instead of making them by hand, as Mexican women had done for centuries, she used the new electric and gas-fired equipment bought by her son to produce tortillas and tamales for sale.
date made
ca. 1920
ID Number
2006.0236.03
catalog number
2006.0236.03
accession number
2006.0236

Hallelujah!; Memories of You

Art Tatum. side 1: Hallelujah!; side 2: Memories of You (American Recording Artists 4501), from the album, Piano Impressions (American Recording Artists A-1).78 rpm.The cover art for this album was made by American illustrator Gene Widhoff (1907-1972).
Description

Art Tatum. side 1: Hallelujah!; side 2: Memories of You (American Recording Artists 4501), from the album, Piano Impressions (American Recording Artists A-1).
78 rpm.

The cover art for this album was made by American illustrator Gene Widhoff (1907-1972). Widhoff began his career as a staff artist for RKO Pictures where he created images for movie posters and theater lobby cards. He created album covers for the American Recording Artists (ARA) label. Later in his career, Widhoff worked as staff artist for NBC. Widoff received an Emmy for “Outstanding Achievement in Creative Technical Craft” in 1971.

Location
Currently not on view
release date
1945
recording artist
Tatum, Art
manufacturer
American Recording Artists
ID Number
1981.0656.521
maker number
4501
A-1
accession number
1981.0656
catalog number
1981.0656.521

The Laziest Gal In Town; Big Butter and Egg Man

Dottie O'Brien and The Savannah Seven. side 1: The Laziest Gal in Town; side 2: Big Butter and Egg Man (Capitol 1005).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Dottie O'Brien and The Savannah Seven. side 1: The Laziest Gal in Town; side 2: Big Butter and Egg Man (Capitol 1005).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1950
recording artist
Dottie O'Brien and The Savannah Seven
manufacturer
Capitol
ID Number
1978.0670.100
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
1005
catalog number
1978.0670.100

AIDS Memorial Quilt Panel

This panel from the AIDS Memorial Quilt honors activist Roger Lyon, who died of AIDS in 1984.
Description
This panel from the AIDS Memorial Quilt honors activist Roger Lyon, who died of AIDS in 1984. Shortly before his death, Lyon testified before Congress to appeal for funding to combat the growing epidemic.
One of the greatest challenges in the fight against AIDS was changing public attitudes toward the disease and its victims, who were predominantly homosexual men. To awaken a seemingly uncaring nation to the magnitude of the crisis, activists created the AIDS Memorial Quilt. Through its thousands of panels, each with a personal story, the quilt has served as a call for compassion, education, and action.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1985-1990
referenced
Lyon, Roger
maker
McMullin, Gert
ID Number
1998.0254.01
accession number
1998.0254
catalog number
1998.0254.01

San; Wang Wang Blues

Paul Whiteman and his Orchestra. side 1: San; side 2: Wang Wang Blues (Capitol 10026), from the album, The History of Jazz Vol. 2 - The Golden Era (Capitol CE-17).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Paul Whiteman and his Orchestra. side 1: San; side 2: Wang Wang Blues (Capitol 10026), from the album, The History of Jazz Vol. 2 - The Golden Era (Capitol CE-17).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1945
recording artist
Paul Whiteman and his Orchestra
manufacturer
Capitol
ID Number
1978.0670.086
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
10026
catalog number
1978.0670.086
maker number
CE-17

Cripple Creek; Sally Good'in'

Cliffie Stone. side 1: Cripple Creek; side 2: Sally Goodin' (Capitol 20099), from the album, Square Dances (Capitol BD 44).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Cliffie Stone. side 1: Cripple Creek; side 2: Sally Goodin' (Capitol 20099), from the album, Square Dances (Capitol BD 44).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1947
recording artist
Stone, Cliffie
manufacturer
Capitol
ID Number
1996.0320.05298
maker number
BD 44
20099
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05298

Hopalong Cassidy and the Square Dance Holdup

William Boyd. side 1: Hopalong Cassidy and the Square Dance Holdup; side 4: Hopalong Cssidy and the Square Dance Holdup (Capitol 32014), from the album, Hopalong Cassidy and the Square Dance Holdup (Capitol CBX 3075).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
William Boyd. side 1: Hopalong Cassidy and the Square Dance Holdup; side 4: Hopalong Cssidy and the Square Dance Holdup (Capitol 32014), from the album, Hopalong Cassidy and the Square Dance Holdup (Capitol CBX 3075).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1950
recording artist
Boyd, William
manufacturer
Capitol
ID Number
1996.0320.05122
maker number
32014
CBX 3075
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05122

Oodie Coo Bop part 1; Oodie Coo Bop part 2

Howard McGhee, Lucky Thompson, Jack McVea, Irving Ashby, Jimmy Bunn, and Red Callender. side 1: Oodie Coo Bop [part 1]; side 2: Ooodie Coo Bop [part 2] (Black & White 150).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Howard McGhee, Lucky Thompson, Jack McVea, Irving Ashby, Jimmy Bunn, and Red Callender. side 1: Oodie Coo Bop [part 1]; side 2: Ooodie Coo Bop [part 2] (Black & White 150).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1946
recording artist
McGhee, Howard
Callender, Red
Thompson, Lucky
McVea, Jack
Ashby, Irving
Bunn, Jimmy
manufacturer
Black & White
ID Number
1978.0670.015
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
150
catalog number
1978.0670.015

Sensation; Original Dixieland One-Step

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

Golden Slippers; Ragtime Annie

Cliffie Stone and his Square Dance Band. side 1: Golden Slippers; side 2: Ragtime Annie (Capitol 20101), from the album, Square Dances (Capitol BD 44).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Cliffie Stone and his Square Dance Band. side 1: Golden Slippers; side 2: Ragtime Annie (Capitol 20101), 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
1996.0320.05296
maker number
20101
BD 44
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05296

Cake Walking Babies; Riverside Blues

Lu Watters' Yerba Buena Jazz Band. side 1: Cake Walking Babies; side 2: Riverside Blues (Jazz Man 5).78 rpm.Jazz Man Records was founded by David Ashford Stuart in 1941. The record label was devoted to traditional New Orleans-style jazz.
Description (Brief)

Lu Watters' Yerba Buena Jazz Band. side 1: Cake Walking Babies; side 2: Riverside Blues (Jazz Man 5).
78 rpm.

Jazz Man Records was founded by David Ashford Stuart in 1941. The record label was devoted to traditional New Orleans-style jazz. In 1946, Stuart sold the label to Nesuhi Ertegun, brother of Ahmet Ertegun, founder of Atlantic Records, and Nesuhi’s wife Marili Morden, owners of the Jazz Man Record Shop in Hollywood, the label’s namesake. Jazz Man Records continued to produce recordings until late 1954.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1942
recording artist
Lu Watters' Yerba Buena Jazz Band
manufacturer
Jazz Man
ID Number
1978.0670.294
maker number
5
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.294

Bob Scobey's Frisco Band, Volume 1

Bob Scobey's Frisco Band. Bob Scobey's Frisco Band, Volume 1 (Good Time Jazz LP-9).33-1/3 rpm.The cover art for this album was made by L. C. LeGoullon (1917-1998).
Description (Brief)

Bob Scobey's Frisco Band. Bob Scobey's Frisco Band, Volume 1 (Good Time Jazz LP-9).
33-1/3 rpm.

The cover art for this album was made by L. C. LeGoullon (1917-1998). Lamartine LeGoullon was a San Francisco artist, illustrator and designer best known for his illustrations and paintings of the West Coast Jazz scene.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1950-1951
recording artist
Bob Scobey's Frisco Band
manufacturer
Good Time Jazz
ID Number
1978.0670.706
maker number
LP-9
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.706

I'm Glad For Your Sake; Kissa Me Baby

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

High Society; Wabash Blues

Pee Wee Hunt. side 1: High Society; side 2: Wabash Blues (Capitol 15299).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Pee Wee Hunt. side 1: High Society; side 2: Wabash Blues (Capitol 15299).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1948
recording artist
Hunt, Pee Wee
manufacturer
Capitol
ID Number
1978.0670.105
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
15299
catalog number
1978.0670.105

Golden Slippers; Ragtime Annie

Cliffie Stone and his Square Dance Band. side 1: Golden Slippers; side 2: Ragtime Annie (Capitol 20101), from the album, Square Dances (Capitol BD 44).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Cliffie Stone and his Square Dance Band. side 1: Golden Slippers; side 2: Ragtime Annie (Capitol 20101), 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
1996.0320.05300
maker number
20101
BD 44
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05300

He Leadeth Me; At the Cross

Old Fashioned Revival Hour Chorus. side 1: He Leadeth Me; side 2: At the Crosss (Sacred Records Inc. RV-1005/6), from the album, Old Fashioned Revival Hour Chorus, Vol. 1 (Sacred Records Inc. Vol. 1).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Old Fashioned Revival Hour Chorus. side 1: He Leadeth Me; side 2: At the Crosss (Sacred Records Inc. RV-1005/6), from the album, Old Fashioned Revival Hour Chorus, Vol. 1 (Sacred Records Inc. Vol. 1).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording artist
Old Fashioned Revival Hour Chorus
manufacturer
Sacred Records Inc.
ID Number
1996.0320.05198
maker number
RV-1005/6
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05198

I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles; Missouri Waltz

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

The Curse of an Aching Heart,; 1919 Rag

Turk Murphy's Jazz Band. side 1: The Curse of an Aching Heart; side 2: 1919 Rag (Good Time Jazz 11).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Turk Murphy's Jazz Band. side 1: The Curse of an Aching Heart; side 2: 1919 Rag (Good Time Jazz 11).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1950
recording artist
Turk Murphy's Jazz Band
manufacturer
Good Time Jazz
ID Number
1978.0670.259
maker number
11
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.259

Bake Them Hoecakes Brown; The Gal I Left Behind Me

Cliffie Stone. side 1: Bake Them Hoecakes Brown; side 2: The Gal I Ledt Behind Me (Capitol 20100). from the album, Square Dances (Capitol BD 44).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Cliffie Stone. side 1: Bake Them Hoecakes Brown; side 2: The Gal I Ledt Behind Me (Capitol 20100). from the album, Square Dances (Capitol BD 44).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1947
recording artist
Stone, Cliffie
manufacturer
Capitol
ID Number
1996.0320.05295
maker number
20100
BD 44
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05295

My Three Sons

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
2000-05-05
maker
Kennerly, David Hume
ID Number
2003.0005.009
catalog number
2003.0005.009
accession number
2003.0005

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