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.

Johnny Otis Orchestra. side 1: Turkey Hop [part 1]; side 2: Turkey Hop [part 2] (Savoy 732).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Johnny Otis Orchestra. side 1: Turkey Hop [part 1]; side 2: Turkey Hop [part 2] (Savoy 732).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1950
recording artist
Johnny Otis Orchestra
manufacturer
Savoy
ID Number
1991.0305.250
maker number
732
catalog number
1991.0305.250
accession number
1991.0305
Burl Ives. side 1: The Blue Tail Fly; side 2: Henry Martyn (Pirate Ballad) (Stinson 345-3), from the album, The Wayfaring Stranger (Stinson A 345).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Burl Ives. side 1: The Blue Tail Fly; side 2: Henry Martyn (Pirate Ballad) (Stinson 345-3), from the album, The Wayfaring Stranger (Stinson A 345).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1944
recording artist
Ives, Burl
manufacturer
Stinson
ID Number
1996.0320.05156
maker number
345-3
A 345
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05156
Dexter Gordon Quintette. side 1: Dexter's Riff; side 2: So Easy (Savoy 960).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Dexter Gordon Quintette. side 1: Dexter's Riff; side 2: So Easy (Savoy 960).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1948
recording artist
Dexter Gordon Quintette
manufacturer
Savoy
ID Number
1978.0670.378
maker number
960
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.378
Lester Young, Charlie Parker, Al Killiam, Arnold Ross, Billy Hadnot, and Lee Young. side 1: Lady Be Good (part 1); side 2: Lady Be Good (part 2) (Arco 1226).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Lester Young, Charlie Parker, Al Killiam, Arnold Ross, Billy Hadnot, and Lee Young. side 1: Lady Be Good (part 1); side 2: Lady Be Good (part 2) (Arco 1226).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1946
recording artist
Young, Lester
Parker, Charlie
Killiam, Al
Ross, Arnold
Hadnot, Billy
Young, Lee
manufacturer
ARCO
ID Number
1978.0670.003
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
1226
catalog number
1978.0670.003
Coleman Hawkins with Cozy Cole Orchestra. side 1: Ridin the Riff; side 2: Flat Rock (Savoy 583), from the album, Tenor Sax Album No. 2 (Savoy S-502).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Coleman Hawkins with Cozy Cole Orchestra. side 1: Ridin the Riff; side 2: Flat Rock (Savoy 583), from the album, Tenor Sax Album No. 2 (Savoy S-502).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1944
recording artist
Hawkins, Coleman
Cozy Cole Orchestra
manufacturer
Savoy
ID Number
1978.0670.650
maker number
583
S-502
catalog number
1978.0670.650
accession number
1978.0670
Pee Wee Russell. Jazz at Storyville, Vol. 4 (Savoy MG 15020).33-1/3 rpm.The cover art for this album was made by Burt Goldblatt (1924-2006). Goldblatt was an American art director, graphic designer, photographer, and author.
Description

Pee Wee Russell. Jazz at Storyville, Vol. 4 (Savoy MG 15020).
33-1/3 rpm.

The cover art for this album was made by Burt Goldblatt (1924-2006). Goldblatt was an American art director, graphic designer, photographer, and author. In the early 1950s, Goldblatt created cover art for the new long-playing format albums, especially jazz recordings.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1952
recording artist
Braff, Ruby
Russell, Pee Wee
Resnick, Ephy
John, Kenny
Field, John
Richards, Red
manufacturer
Savoy
ID Number
1978.0670.718
maker number
MG 15020
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.718
Johnny Guarnieri Trio. side 1: Bowing Singing Sam; side 2: Gliss Me Again (Savoy 530).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Johnny Guarnieri Trio. side 1: Bowing Singing Sam; side 2: Gliss Me Again (Savoy 530).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1944
recording artist
Johnny Guarnieri Trio
manufacturer
Savoy
ID Number
1978.0670.382
maker number
530
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.382
Don Byas. side 1: Worried and Blue; side 2: Riffin and Jivin (Savoy 582), from the album, Tenor Sax Album No. 2 (Savoy S-502).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Don Byas. side 1: Worried and Blue; side 2: Riffin and Jivin (Savoy 582), from the album, Tenor Sax Album No. 2 (Savoy S-502).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1944
recording artist
Byas, Don
manufacturer
Savoy
ID Number
1978.0670.649
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
582
S-502
catalog number
1978.0670.649
Errol Garner. side 1: Confessin'; side 2: Stormy Weather (Savoy 757).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Errol Garner. side 1: Confessin'; side 2: Stormy Weather (Savoy 757).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1949
recording artist
Garner, Errol
manufacturer
Savoy
ID Number
1978.0670.381
maker number
757
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.381
Lester Young. side 1: Back Home In Indiana; side 2: Lester's Blues (Savoy 581), from the album, Tenor Sax Album No. 2 (Savoy S-502).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Lester Young. side 1: Back Home In Indiana; side 2: Lester's Blues (Savoy 581), from the album, Tenor Sax Album No. 2 (Savoy S-502).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1944
recording artist
Young, Lester
manufacturer
Savoy
ID Number
1978.0670.648
accession number
1978.0670.648
maker number
581
S-502
catalog number
1978.0670.648
Ben Pollack and his Pick-a-Rib Boys. side 1: Dardanella; side 2: Fidgety Feet (Savoy 790).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Ben Pollack and his Pick-a-Rib Boys. side 1: Dardanella; side 2: Fidgety Feet (Savoy 790).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1949
recording artist
Ben Pollack and His Pick-a-Rib Boys
manufacturer
Savoy
ID Number
1978.0670.380
maker number
790
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.380
Savannah Churchill. side 1: Daddy-Daddy; side 2: All Alone (Manor 1004).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Savannah Churchill. side 1: Daddy-Daddy; side 2: All Alone (Manor 1004).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1945
composer
Berlin, Irving
recording artist
Churchill, Savannah
manufacturer
Manor
ID Number
1996.0153.08719
catalog number
1996.0153.08719
label number
1004
accession number
1996.0153
Ben Webster. side 1: I Surrender Dear; side 2: Kat's Fur (Savoy 580), from the album, Tenor Sax Album No. 2 (Savoy S-502).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Ben Webster. side 1: I Surrender Dear; side 2: Kat's Fur (Savoy 580), from the album, Tenor Sax Album No. 2 (Savoy S-502).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1944
recording artist
Webster, Ben
Guarnieri, Johnny
Pettiford, Oscar
Booth, David
manufacturer
Savoy
ID Number
1978.0670.647
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
580
S-502
catalog number
1978.0670.647
Charles Ventura Quartet. side 1: Dark Eyes; side 2: Ever So Thoughtful (Savoy 569).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Charles Ventura Quartet. side 1: Dark Eyes; side 2: Ever So Thoughtful (Savoy 569).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1945
recording artist
Charles Ventura Quartet
manufacturer
Savoy
ID Number
1978.0670.377
maker number
569
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.377
Pee Wee Russell. Jazz at Storyville, Vol. 1 (Savoy MG-15014).33-1/3 rpm.The cover art for this album was made by Burt Goldblatt (1924-2006). Goldblatt was an American art director, graphic designer, photographer, and author.
Description

Pee Wee Russell. Jazz at Storyville, Vol. 1 (Savoy MG-15014).
33-1/3 rpm.

The cover art for this album was made by Burt Goldblatt (1924-2006). Goldblatt was an American art director, graphic designer, photographer, and author. In the early 1950s, Goldblatt created cover art for the new long-playing format albums, especially jazz recordings.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1952
recording artist
Braff, Ruby
Russell, Pee Wee
Resnick, Ephy
John, Kenny
Field, John
Richards, Red
manufacturer
Savoy
ID Number
1978.0670.716
maker number
MG-15014
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.716
Johnny Guarnieri Trio. side 1: Dueces Wild; side 2: Dueces Mild (Savoy 557), from the album, Hot Piano (Savoy S-501).78 rpm.The cover art for this album was made by American artist and designer Albert Wilfred Barbelle (1887-1957).
Description

Johnny Guarnieri Trio. side 1: Dueces Wild; side 2: Dueces Mild (Savoy 557), from the album, Hot Piano (Savoy S-501).
78 rpm.

The cover art for this album was made by American artist and designer Albert Wilfred Barbelle (1887-1957). With a prolific career spanning over forty years, Barbelle created cover art for sheet music and albums.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1944
recording artist
Johnny Guarnieri Trio
manufacturer
Savoy
ID Number
1978.0670.654
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
557
S-501
catalog number
1978.0670.654
Johnny Guarnieri Trio. side 1: Firebird; side 2: Hangover (Savoy 555), from the album, Hot Piano (Savoy S-501).78 rpm.The cover art for this album was made by American artist and designer Albert Wilfred Barbelle (1887-1957).
Description

Johnny Guarnieri Trio. side 1: Firebird; side 2: Hangover (Savoy 555), from the album, Hot Piano (Savoy S-501).
78 rpm.

The cover art for this album was made by American artist and designer Albert Wilfred Barbelle (1887-1957). With a prolific career spanning over forty years, Barbelle created cover art for sheet music and albums.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1944
recording artist
Johnny Guarnieri Trio
manufacturer
Savoy
ID Number
1978.0670.652
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
555
S-501
catalog number
1978.0670.652
Allen Eager Quintette. side 1: Nightmare Allen; side 2: Church Mouse (Savoy 958).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Allen Eager Quintette. side 1: Nightmare Allen; side 2: Church Mouse (Savoy 958).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1947
recording artist
Allen Eager Quintette
manufacturer
Savoy
ID Number
1978.0670.379
maker number
958
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.379
Savannah Churchill. side 1: Can Anyone Explain?; side 2: The Devil Sat Down and Cried (Arco 1259).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Savannah Churchill. side 1: Can Anyone Explain?; side 2: The Devil Sat Down and Cried (Arco 1259).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1950
recording artist
Churchill, Savannah
composer
Benjamin, Bennie
Weiss, George David
Bishop, Sr., Walter
manufacturer
ARCO
ID Number
1996.0153.08718
catalog number
1996.0153.08718
label number
1259
accession number
1996.0153
Johnny Guarnieri Trio. side 1: I'm in the Mood for Love; side 2: That Old Black Magic (Savoy 554), from the album, Hot Piano (Savoy S-501).78 rpm.The cover art for this album was made by American artist and designer Albert Wilfred Barbelle (1887-1957).
Description

Johnny Guarnieri Trio. side 1: I'm in the Mood for Love; side 2: That Old Black Magic (Savoy 554), from the album, Hot Piano (Savoy S-501).
78 rpm.

The cover art for this album was made by American artist and designer Albert Wilfred Barbelle (1887-1957). With a prolific career spanning over forty years, Barbelle created cover art for sheet music and albums.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1944
recording artist
Johnny Guarnieri Trio
manufacturer
Savoy
ID Number
1978.0670.651
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
554
S-501
catalog number
1978.0670.651
Pee Wee Russell. Jazz at Storyville, Vol. 2 (Savoy MG-15016).33-1/3 rpm.The cover art for this album was made by Burt Goldblatt (1924-2006). Goldblatt was an American art director, graphic designer, photographer, and author.
Description

Pee Wee Russell. Jazz at Storyville, Vol. 2 (Savoy MG-15016).
33-1/3 rpm.

The cover art for this album was made by Burt Goldblatt (1924-2006). Goldblatt was an American art director, graphic designer, photographer, and author. In the early 1950s, Goldblatt created cover art for the new long-playing format albums, especially jazz recordings.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1952
recording artist
Braff, Ruby
Russell, Pee Wee
Resnick, Ephy
John, Kenny
Field, John
Richards, Red
manufacturer
Savoy
ID Number
1978.0670.717
maker number
MG-15016
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.717
Johnny Guarnieri Trio. side 1: My Blue Heaven; side 2: New Exercise in Swing (Savoy 556), from the album, Hot Piano (Savoy S-501).78 rpm.The cover art for this album was made by American artist and designer Albert Wilfred Barbelle (1887-1957).
Description

Johnny Guarnieri Trio. side 1: My Blue Heaven; side 2: New Exercise in Swing (Savoy 556), from the album, Hot Piano (Savoy S-501).
78 rpm.

The cover art for this album was made by American artist and designer Albert Wilfred Barbelle (1887-1957). With a prolific career spanning over forty years, Barbelle created cover art for sheet music and albums.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1944
recording artist
Johnny Guarnieri Trio
manufacturer
Savoy
ID Number
1978.0670.653
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
556
S-501
catalog number
1978.0670.653
Fats Navarro Quintette. side 1: Barry's Bop; side 2: Be Bop Romp (Savoy 959).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Fats Navarro Quintette. side 1: Barry's Bop; side 2: Be Bop Romp (Savoy 959).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1947
recording artist
Fats Navarro Quintette
manufacturer
Savoy
ID Number
1978.0670.376
maker number
959
catalog number
1978.0670.376
accession number
1978.0670
Pee Wee Hunt and his Orchestra. side 1: Sunny Side of the Street; side 2: After You've Gone (Regent 139).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Pee Wee Hunt and his Orchestra. side 1: Sunny Side of the Street; side 2: After You've Gone (Regent 139).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1946
recording artist
Pee Wee Hunt and his Orchestra
manufacturer
Regent
ID Number
1978.0670.369
maker number
139
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.369

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.