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.

Ma Rainey. side 1: Dream Blues; side 2: Lost Wandering Blues (Paramount 12098).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Ma Rainey. side 1: Dream Blues; side 2: Lost Wandering Blues (Paramount 12098).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1924
recording artist
Rainey, Ma
manufacturer
Paramount
ID Number
1996.0320.17581
accession number
1996.0320
maker number
12098
catalog number
1996.0320.17581
Mack Allen. side 1: A Warning to Boys; side 2: A Warning to Girls (Harmony 729-H)78 rpmMack Allen is a pseudonym on Harmony for Vernon Dalhart.Harmony Records was a division of Columbia Records from 1925 to 1932.
Description

Mack Allen. side 1: A Warning to Boys; side 2: A Warning to Girls (Harmony 729-H)
78 rpm

Mack Allen is a pseudonym on Harmony for Vernon Dalhart.

Harmony Records was a division of Columbia Records from 1925 to 1932. It was a budget label that was comprised of original recordings identical to that of Columbia’s other budget labels, Velvet Tone Records and Diva Records.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1928
recording artist
Allen, Mack
Dalhart, Vernon
manufacturer
Harmony
ID Number
1996.0320.10445
collector/donor number
12912
maker number
729-H
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.10445
Jelly Roll Morton. side 1: King Porter Stomp; side 2: The Pearls (Brunswick 80067), from the album, A King of the Piano, Volume One (Brunswick B-1018).78 rpm. Both tracks were originally recorded in 1926 and released on Vocalian 1020.
Description
Jelly Roll Morton. side 1: King Porter Stomp; side 2: The Pearls (Brunswick 80067), from the album, A King of the Piano, Volume One (Brunswick B-1018).
78 rpm. Both tracks were originally recorded in 1926 and released on Vocalian 1020. This pressing was released in 1945.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1926
release date
1945
recording artist
Morton, Jelly Roll
manufacturer
Brunswick
ID Number
1979.1023.091
maker number
80067
B-1018
accession number
1979.1023
catalog number
1979.1023.091
Jimmie Rodgers. side 1: Frankie and Johnny; side 2: The Brakeman's Blues (RCA Victor 21-0044), from the album, Yodeling Yours (RCA Victor P 244), 78 rpm. Side 1 was recorded in 1929. Side 2 was recorded in 1928. The album was released in 1949.Currently not on view
Description
Jimmie Rodgers. side 1: Frankie and Johnny; side 2: The Brakeman's Blues (RCA Victor 21-0044), from the album, Yodeling Yours (RCA Victor P 244),
78 rpm. Side 1 was recorded in 1929. Side 2 was recorded in 1928. The album was released in 1949.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1929
1928
release date
1949
recording artist
Rodgers, Jimmie
manufacturer
RCA Victor
ID Number
1996.0320.05257
maker number
21-0044
P 244
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05257
Earl Hines. side 1: 57 Varieties; side 2: I Ain't Got Nobody (Columbia 35875), from the album, Hot Jazz Classics - Earl Hines (Columbia C-41).78 rpm. Both tracks were originally recorded in 1928 and released on Okeh 8653.
Description

Earl Hines. side 1: 57 Varieties; side 2: I Ain't Got Nobody (Columbia 35875), from the album, Hot Jazz Classics - Earl Hines (Columbia C-41).
78 rpm. Both tracks were originally recorded in 1928 and released on Okeh 8653. This album was released in 1944.

The cover art for this album was made by Alex Steinweiss. Alexander “Alex” Steinweiss (1917-2011) was an American artist and graphic designer. He was the first art director of Columbia Records, expanding the use of album covers and cover art. Steinweiss created album cover art from 1938 to 1973.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1928
release date
1944
recording artist
Hines, Earl
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1978.0670.495
maker number
35875
C-41
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.495
The Märklin Company produced this toy steam engine during the early 20th century. The toy consists of a simulated brick fire box and chimney stack and a horizontal boiler with steam whistle, safety valve, pressure gauge, and throttle.
Description (Brief)
The Märklin Company produced this toy steam engine during the early 20th century. The toy consists of a simulated brick fire box and chimney stack and a horizontal boiler with steam whistle, safety valve, pressure gauge, and throttle. The steam line runs to a horizontal slide valve engine that powers a flywheel. The flywheel is connected to an electric generator that was a later addition to the toy.
The Märklin Company was established in 1859 in the town of Göppingen, Germany by tin smith Theodor Friedrich Wilhelm Märklin. Märklin began his business with the production of tin doll houses, but the company soon began producing a variety of tinplate and metal items, eventually specializing in toys that included steam engines such as this one.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1920
ID Number
MC.329060
catalog number
329060
accession number
278175
United States Navy Band. side 1: Anchors Aweigh; side 2: All Hands (Victor 21296).78 rpm. This record is not part of the original Victor P 32 set. The correct record is Victor 26672.Currently not on view
Description
United States Navy Band. side 1: Anchors Aweigh; side 2: All Hands (Victor 21296).
78 rpm. This record is not part of the original Victor P 32 set. The correct record is Victor 26672.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1928
release date
1940
recording artist
United States Navy Band
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1988.0384.19
accession number
1988.0384
maker number
21296
catalog number
1988.0384.19
maker number
P 32
Duke Ellington and his Famous Orchestra. side 1: East Saint Louis Toodle-Oo; side 2: The Mooche (Victor 20-1531), from the album, A Duke Ellington Panorama (Victor P138).78 rpm. Side 1 was originally recorded in 1928 and released on Victor 21703.
Description
Duke Ellington and his Famous Orchestra. side 1: East Saint Louis Toodle-Oo; side 2: The Mooche (Victor 20-1531), from the album, A Duke Ellington Panorama (Victor P138).
78 rpm. Side 1 was originally recorded in 1928 and released on Victor 21703. Side 2 was originally recorded in 1927 and released on Victor V-38034. The album was released in 1943.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1928
1927
release date
1943
recording artist
Duke Ellington and his Famous Orchestra
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1978.0670.666
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
20-1531
P-138
catalog number
1978.0670.666
Ida Cox. side 1: Graveyard Dream Blues; side 2: Weary Way Blues (Signature 907).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Ida Cox. side 1: Graveyard Dream Blues; side 2: Weary Way Blues (Signature 907).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1923
recording artist
Cox, Ida
Lovie Austin and her Blues Serenaders
manufacturer
Signature
ID Number
1988.0698.0751
catalog number
1988.0698.0751
accession number
1988.0698
collector/donor number
C110
maker number
907
This toy boring mill was manufactured by the Märklin Company around 1920. The toy has a cast metal body, but is missing the ribbed steel band that runs from the lower pulley to the upper pulley to spin the cutting tool.
Description (Brief)
This toy boring mill was manufactured by the Märklin Company around 1920. The toy has a cast metal body, but is missing the ribbed steel band that runs from the lower pulley to the upper pulley to spin the cutting tool. The toy boring mill could be connected to the drive wheel of a toy steam engine for power and produce realistic motion just like its full size counterpart.
The Märklin Company was established in 1859 in the town of Göppingen, Germany by tin smith Theodor Friedrich Wilhelm Märklin. Märklin began his business with the production of tin doll houses, but the company soon began producing a variety of tinplate and metal items, eventually specializing in toys such as this one.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1920
ID Number
MC.329073
catalog number
329073
accession number
278175
This pen-and-ink comic art drawing by Rube Goldberg from 1924 features the concept of using “windy” political speeches as free energy.Rube Goldberg (1883-1970) was an engineer before he was a comic artist.
Description (Brief)
This pen-and-ink comic art drawing by Rube Goldberg from 1924 features the concept of using “windy” political speeches as free energy.
Rube Goldberg (1883-1970) was an engineer before he was a comic artist. After receiving an engineering degree, he started his career designing sewers for the City of San Francisco, but then followed his other interest and took a job as a sports cartoonist for the San Francisco Chronicle. After moving to New York in 1907 Goldberg worked for several newspapers, producing a number of short-lived strips and panels—many of which were inspired by his engineering background, including his renowned invention cartoons. In the late 1930s and 1940s he switched his focus to editorial and political cartoons and in 1945 founded the National Cartoonists Society. The Reuben, comic art’s most prestigious award, is named after him.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1924-10-31
original artist
Goldberg, Rube
ID Number
GA.23492
catalog number
23492
accession number
299186
This song book for 10 Hebrew Folk Songs and Folk Dances, was arranged for the piano by Lazare Saminsky. It was published Carl Fischer, Inc. in New York, New York in 1924.Currently not on view
Description
This song book for 10 Hebrew Folk Songs and Folk Dances, was arranged for the piano by Lazare Saminsky. It was published Carl Fischer, Inc. in New York, New York in 1924.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1924
publisher
Carl Fischer Inc.
ID Number
1986.0961.06
accession number
1986.0961
catalog number
1986.0961.06
This metal thermos bottle was made by Thermos in 1927. It is half pint size with a blue finish and a red plastic, screw-on cup lid and cork stopper.
Description (Brief)
This metal thermos bottle was made by Thermos in 1927. It is half pint size with a blue finish and a red plastic, screw-on cup lid and cork stopper.
Date made
1927
maker
American Thermos Bottle Company
ID Number
2004.3009.15.02
nonaccession number
2004.3009
catalog number
2004.3009.15.02
Jelly Roll Morton. side 1: Sweetheart O' Mine; side 2: Fat Meat and Greens (Brunswick 80068), from the album, A King of the Piano, Volume One (Brunswick 80068)78 rpm. Both tracks were originally recorded in 1926 and released on Vocalian 1019.
Description
Jelly Roll Morton. side 1: Sweetheart O' Mine; side 2: Fat Meat and Greens (Brunswick 80068), from the album, A King of the Piano, Volume One (Brunswick 80068)
78 rpm. Both tracks were originally recorded in 1926 and released on Vocalian 1019. This pressing was released in 1945.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1926
release date
1945
recording artist
Morton, Jelly Roll
manufacturer
Brunswick
ID Number
1979.1023.092
maker number
80068
B-1018
accession number
1979.1023
catalog number
1979.1023.092
Bassett-Lowke manufactured this metal steam engine toy in Northampton, England around 1920. The toy consists of a horizontal boiler with sight glass, steam whistle, pressure gauge, and throttle valve on top of a black simulated brick firebox with chimney stack.
Description (Brief)
Bassett-Lowke manufactured this metal steam engine toy in Northampton, England around 1920. The toy consists of a horizontal boiler with sight glass, steam whistle, pressure gauge, and throttle valve on top of a black simulated brick firebox with chimney stack. The boiler powers a cam operated valve gear horizontal engine and flywheel that is connected to a line shaft with three pulleys. The boiler, engine, and line shaft are all on a tin base. The line shaft may not be original to the toy.
Bassett-Lowke is a toy company in Northampton, England that was founded in 1899, and constructed a variety of model boats, ships, trains, and engines until it went out of business in 1965.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1920
ID Number
MC.329033
catalog number
329033
accession number
278175
This toy steam engine was made by the Märklin Company around 1920.
Description (Brief)
This toy steam engine was made by the Märklin Company around 1920. This toy steam engine consists of a vertical brass boiler that powered a flywheel, mounted on a metal plate painted green.
The Märklin Company was established in 1859 in the town of Göppingen, Germany by tin smith Theodor Friedrich Wilhelm Märklin. Märklin began his business with the production of tin doll houses, but the company soon began producing a variety of tinplate and metal items, eventually specializing in toys that included steam engines such as this one.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1920
ID Number
ER.329051
accession number
278175
catalog number
329051
The model No. 47 Weeden Toy Steam Engine was produced by the Weeden Manufacturing Company of New Bedford, Massachusetts from 1898 until 1913. The toy engine consists of a horizontal brass boiler with flywheel and centrifugal flyball governor mounted on a cast iron base.
Description (Brief)
The model No. 47 Weeden Toy Steam Engine was produced by the Weeden Manufacturing Company of New Bedford, Massachusetts from 1898 until 1913. The toy engine consists of a horizontal brass boiler with flywheel and centrifugal flyball governor mounted on a cast iron base. The cast iron base is stamped “WEEDEN MANF. Co. No. 47”.
The Weeden Manufacturing Company was founded in New Bedford, Massachusetts by William M. Weeden in the early 1880s, originally producing a variety of tinplate household items. In 1884 it introduced the Weeden No. 1 Steam engine as “a new and great premium for boys” who were subscribers to the Youth’s Companion magazine. Weeden made over a hundred different models of toy steam engines until the company ceased operations in 1952.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1925
ID Number
2001.0115.01
catalog number
2001.0115.01
accession number
2001.0115
Earl Hines. side 1: Caution Blues; side 2: A Monday Date (Columbia 35876), from the album, Hot Jazz Classics - Earl Hines (Columbia C-41).78 rpm. Both tracks were originally recorded in 1928 and released on Okeh 8832.
Description

Earl Hines. side 1: Caution Blues; side 2: A Monday Date (Columbia 35876), from the album, Hot Jazz Classics - Earl Hines (Columbia C-41).
78 rpm. Both tracks were originally recorded in 1928 and released on Okeh 8832. This album was released in 1944.

The cover art for this album was made by Alex Steinweiss. Alexander “Alex” Steinweiss (1917-2011) was an American artist and graphic designer. He was the first art director of Columbia Records, expanding the use of album covers and cover art. Steinweiss created album cover art from 1938 to 1973.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1928
release date
1944
associated person
Hines, Earl
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1978.0670.496
maker number
35876
C-41
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.496
This toy punch press was manufactured by the Märklin Company around 1920. The toy has a cast metal body with a geared pulley that raised the press up and down.
Description (Brief)
This toy punch press was manufactured by the Märklin Company around 1920. The toy has a cast metal body with a geared pulley that raised the press up and down. The toy punch press could be connected to the drive wheel of a toy steam engine for power and operate just like its full size counterpart.
The Märklin Company was established in 1859 in the town of Göppingen, Germany by tin smith Theodor Friedrich Wilhelm Märklin. Märklin began his business with the production of tin doll houses, but the company soon began producing a variety of tinplate and metal items, eventually specializing in toys such as this one.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1920
ID Number
MC.329070
catalog number
329070
accession number
278175
Jimmie Rodgers. side 1: Never No Mo' Blues; side 2: Daddy and Home (RCA Victor 21-0043), from the album, Yodeling Yours (RCA Victor P 244), 78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1928. This album was released in 1949.Currently not on view
Description
Jimmie Rodgers. side 1: Never No Mo' Blues; side 2: Daddy and Home (RCA Victor 21-0043), from the album, Yodeling Yours (RCA Victor P 244),
78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1928. This album was released in 1949.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1928
release date
1949
recording artist
Rodgers, Jimmie
manufacturer
RCA Victor
ID Number
1996.0320.05256
maker number
21-0043
P 244
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05256
This toy pedestal grinder was manufactured by the Märklin Company around 1920. The toy has a cast metal body with a central pulley connected to two grinding wheels.
Description (Brief)
This toy pedestal grinder was manufactured by the Märklin Company around 1920. The toy has a cast metal body with a central pulley connected to two grinding wheels. The toy pedestal grinder could be connected to the drive wheel of a toy steam engine for power and produce realistic motion just like its full size counterpart.
The Märklin Company was established in 1859 in the town of Göppingen, Germany by tin smith Theodor Friedrich Wilhelm Märklin. Märklin began his business with the production of tin doll houses, but the company soon began producing a variety of tinplate and metal items, eventually specializing in toys such as this one.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1920
ID Number
MC.329072
catalog number
329072
accession number
278175
Radios, like this Eveready model 2, provided many families of the 1920s with a new form of home entertainment. Amateurs began making home radios to transmit and receive messages early in the 1900s. But using these radios called for engineering skills and a license.
Description
Radios, like this Eveready model 2, provided many families of the 1920s with a new form of home entertainment. Amateurs began making home radios to transmit and receive messages early in the 1900s. But using these radios called for engineering skills and a license. Early receivers, called "crystal detectors," while relatively easy to make, required some technical skill and were low in power.
In 1916, David Sarnoff proposed that American Marconi Company sell broadcast transmitting equipment and "radio music boxes" that could receive the broadcast signals. After World War I, Sarnoff and his idea became part of the new Radio Corporation of America (RCA). A 1920 prototype radio designed by Alfred Goldsmith featured a few simple controls and needed no technical training to operate. RCA and other companies established AM (Amplitude Modulation) stations and began selling receivers. Stereo broadcasts were unknown, so radios needed only one speaker.
Listeners were entranced by this new medium that delivered both local news and nationwide "network" programming. Since radios could operate on batteries, reception spread beyond cities. Unelectrified rural areas began tuning in, making farm life seem less isolated. Families began to gather around their radios in the evenings to hear music, sports, comedy, drama—and the commercials that paid for "free" programming. The voices of political leaders and entertainment celebrities reached millions of Americans.
Elaborately styled cabinets, usually of wood, disguised technical components and allowed the radio to blend more easily with other home furnishings. This Eveready model is unusual. The cabinet is metal instead of wood, and can accept optional legs that permit the radio to be converted to a floor-standing model. Radio quickly became popular with Americans, so much so that statistics indicate only two electrical items sold well throughout the Great Depression: light bulbs and radios.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1928
early developer of radio receivers
Goldsmith, Alfred
maker
National Carbon Company
ID Number
2002.0149.01
catalog number
2002.0149.01
accession number
2002.0149
Four Aristocrats. side 1: Bells of Hawaii; side 2: Voom Voom (Moaden on the Gayden) (Victor 20587).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Four Aristocrats. side 1: Bells of Hawaii; side 2: Voom Voom (Moaden on the Gayden) (Victor 20587).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1927
recording artist
Four Aristocrats
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1996.0320.16322
collector/donor number
3315
maker number
20587
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.16322
Leroy Carr. side 1: Christmas in Jail Ain't That a Pain; side 2: Prison Cell Blues (Vocalion 1432).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Leroy Carr. side 1: Christmas in Jail Ain't That a Pain; side 2: Prison Cell Blues (Vocalion 1432).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1929
recording artist
Carr, Leroy
manufacturer
Vocalion
ID Number
1996.0320.13040
collector/donor number
7828
maker number
1432
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.13040

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