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.

Eddie Condon and his Band. side 1: You Can't Cheat a Cheater; side 2: Save Your Sorrow (Commodore 605), from the album, Jazz a la Carte (Commodore CR-12).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Eddie Condon and his Band. side 1: You Can't Cheat a Cheater; side 2: Save Your Sorrow (Commodore 605), from the album, Jazz a la Carte (Commodore CR-12).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1943
recording artist
Eddie Condon and his Band
manufacturer
Commodore
ID Number
1978.0670.535
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
605
CR-12
catalog number
1978.0670.535
Little Rita Faye. side 1: I Fell Out of a Christmas Tree; side 2: The Miracle of Christmas (MGM 11625).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Little Rita Faye. side 1: I Fell Out of a Christmas Tree; side 2: The Miracle of Christmas (MGM 11625).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1953
recording artist
Faye, Little Rita
manufacturer
MGM
ID Number
1996.0320.15944
collector/donor number
8082
maker number
11625
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.15944
Benny Goodman Sextet. side 1: Tiger Rag; side 2: Ain't Misbehavin' (Columbia 36922), from the album, Goodman Sextet Session (Columbia C-113).78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1945.
Description

Benny Goodman Sextet. side 1: Tiger Rag; side 2: Ain't Misbehavin' (Columbia 36922), from the album, Goodman Sextet Session (Columbia C-113).
78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1945. This album was released in 1946.

The album art and design was created by George Howard Maas (1910-1998), an American commercial artist, graphic artist and designer, and art director. Originally from Kansas City, Maas studied at the University of Kansas at Lawrence. In 1939, he was employed as a painter in the WPA (Works Project Administration). By the early 1940s, Maas had moved to New York City where he continued his career with much success creating cover art for albums, book design and illustrations, and poster art.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1945
release date
1946
recording artist
Benny Goodman Sextet
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1978.0670.521
maker number
36922
C-113
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.521
Burl Ives. side 1: The Poor Wayfaring Stranger [track 1] Buckeyed Jim [track 2]; side 2: The Bold Soldier [track 1] The Sow Took the Measles [track 2] (Stinson 345-1), from the album, The Wayfaring Stranger (Stinson A 345).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Burl Ives. side 1: The Poor Wayfaring Stranger [track 1] Buckeyed Jim [track 2]; side 2: The Bold Soldier [track 1] The Sow Took the Measles [track 2] (Stinson 345-1), 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
1996.0320.05154
maker number
345-1
A 345
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05154
Sons of the Pioneers. side 1: The Sea Walker; side 2: The Touch of God's Hand (RCA Victor 20-3195), from the album, Cowboy Hymns and Spirituals (RCA Victor P 229).78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1947. This album was released in 1948.Currently not on view
Description
Sons of the Pioneers. side 1: The Sea Walker; side 2: The Touch of God's Hand (RCA Victor 20-3195), from the album, Cowboy Hymns and Spirituals (RCA Victor P 229).
78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1947. This album was released in 1948.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1947
release date
1948
recording artist
Sons of the Pioneers
manufacturer
RCA Victor
ID Number
1996.0320.05276
maker number
20-3195
P 229
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05276
Burl Ives. side 1: Aunt Rhody [track 1] Saturday Night [track 2]; side 2: Wake Nicodemus (Decca 23507), from the album, Ballads and Folk Songs (Decca A-407).78 rpm. Side 1 was recorded in 1945. Side 2 was recorded in 1946.Currently not on view
Description
Burl Ives. side 1: Aunt Rhody [track 1] Saturday Night [track 2]; side 2: Wake Nicodemus (Decca 23507), from the album, Ballads and Folk Songs (Decca A-407).
78 rpm. Side 1 was recorded in 1945. Side 2 was recorded in 1946.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1945
1946
recording artist
Ives, Burl
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1996.0320.05127
maker number
23507
A-407
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05127
Benny Goodman. side 1: Farewell Blues; side 2: Margie (Bluebird B-10973).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Benny Goodman. side 1: Farewell Blues; side 2: Margie (Bluebird B-10973).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1938
recording artist
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra
manufacturer
Bluebird
ID Number
1978.0670.019
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
B-10973
catalog number
1978.0670.019
Clayton McMichen. side 1: Turkey in the Straw/Old Hen Cackle/ Fiddler's Dream; side 2: Old Joe Clark/Pretty Little Widder /Shortenin' Bread (Decca 2647), from the album, Square Dance Fiddlin' (Decca 705)78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1939.
Description
Clayton McMichen. side 1: Turkey in the Straw/Old Hen Cackle/ Fiddler's Dream; side 2: Old Joe Clark/Pretty Little Widder /Shortenin' Bread (Decca 2647), from the album, Square Dance Fiddlin' (Decca 705)
78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1939. This album was released in 1949.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1949
recording date
1939
recording artist
McMichen, Clayton
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1996.0320.05189
maker number
2647
705
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05189
Fanny Brice. side 1: Cleaniness; side 2: Good and Bad (Capitol 7-32023), from the album, Baby Snooks (Capitol DC 3081).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Fanny Brice. side 1: Cleaniness; side 2: Good and Bad (Capitol 7-32023), from the album, Baby Snooks (Capitol DC 3081).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1949
recording artist
Brice, Fanny
manufacturer
Capitol
ID Number
1996.0320.05059
maker number
7-32023
DC 3081
catalog number
1996.0320.05059
accession number
1996.0320
side 1: The Baby Dodds Trio. Wolverine Blues; side 2: Baby Dodds. Drum Improvisation (No.
Description

side 1: The Baby Dodds Trio. Wolverine Blues; side 2: Baby Dodds. Drum Improvisation (No. 1) (Circle J-1001), from the album, A Session With Baby Dodds (Circle S-17).
78 rpm.

Album design was by Jimmy Ernst (born Hans-Ulrich Ernst, 1920-1984), a German-born American painter.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1946
recording artist
Baby Dodds Trio
Dodds, Baby
manufacturer
Circle
ID Number
1978.0670.472
maker number
J-1001
S-17
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.472
Kid Ory and his Creole Jazz Band. side 1: Eh, La Bas; side 2: Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho (Columbia 37275), from the album, New Orleans Jazz (Columbia C-126).78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1946.
Description

Kid Ory and his Creole Jazz Band. side 1: Eh, La Bas; side 2: Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho (Columbia 37275), from the album, New Orleans Jazz (Columbia C-126).
78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1946. The album was released in 1947.

Jim (James) Flora (1914-1998) created the cover art for this album. Flora was a successful commercial illustrator during the 1940s-1970s as well as an author and illustrator for children’s books. He was best known for his unique and quirky album cover art for RCA Victor and Columbia during the 1940s and 1950s. Flora created numerous paintings, drawings, etchings and sketches throughout his prolific career.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1946
release date
1947
recording artist
Kid Ory's Creole Jazz Band
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1978.0670.518
maker number
37275
C-126
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.518
Blackwood Brothers Quartet. side 1: Jesus Savior Pilot Me; side 2: Sweet Hour of Prayer (Blackwood Bros. Records 1156), from the album, Blackwood Brothers (Blackwood Bros. Records and Gospel Supply Co.).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Blackwood Brothers Quartet. side 1: Jesus Savior Pilot Me; side 2: Sweet Hour of Prayer (Blackwood Bros. Records 1156), from the album, Blackwood Brothers (Blackwood Bros. Records and Gospel Supply Co.).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
ca 1948
recording artist
Blackwood Brothers Quartet
manufacturer
Gospel Supply Co.
ID Number
1996.0320.05033
maker number
1156
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05033
Zep Meissner and his Dixieland All-Stars. side 1: Beale Street Mama; side 2: Leavin' Town (MGM 30168), from the album, New Dixieland Jazz (MGM 36).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Zep Meissner and his Dixieland All-Stars. side 1: Beale Street Mama; side 2: Leavin' Town (MGM 30168), from the album, New Dixieland Jazz (MGM 36).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1946
recording artist
Zep Meissner and his Dixieland All-Stars
manufacturer
MGM
ID Number
1978.0670.644
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
30168
36
catalog number
1978.0670.644
Hank Snow. side 1: Wasted Love; side 2: My Two Timin' Woman (RCA Victor 21-0363). from the album, Hank Snow Favorites (RCA Victor P 295).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Hank Snow. side 1: Wasted Love; side 2: My Two Timin' Woman (RCA Victor 21-0363). from the album, Hank Snow Favorites (RCA Victor P 295).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1950
recording artist
Snow, Hank
manufacturer
RCA Victor
ID Number
1996.0320.05272
maker number
21-0363
P 295
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05272
Various artists. side 1: Slow Drag [part 1]; side 2: Slow Drag [part 2] (Clef 103), from the album, Norman Granz" Jazz At the Philharmonic, Vol. 6 (Clef 100).78 rpm.The cover art for this album was by David Stone Martin (born David Livingstone Martin, 1913-1992).
Description

Various artists. side 1: Slow Drag [part 1]; side 2: Slow Drag [part 2] (Clef 103), from the album, Norman Granz" Jazz At the Philharmonic, Vol. 6 (Clef 100).
78 rpm.

The cover art for this album was by David Stone Martin (born David Livingstone Martin, 1913-1992). Martin was an American artist best known for his illustrations on jazz album covers for labels including Mercury, Asch, Clef, Disc, and Dial. Many of his commissions were from Martin’s longtime friend, American jazz record producer and concert promoter Norman Granz (1918-2001).

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1946
recording artist
Hawkins, Coleman
Hadnott, Billy
Young, Lester
Clayton, Buck
Rich, Buddy
Kersey, Kenny
artist
Martin, David Stone
manufacturer
Clef
ID Number
1978.0670.483
maker number
1023
accession number
1978.0670
catalog number
1978.0670.483
Uncle Henry's Original Kentucky Mountaineers. side 1: The Love That We Once Knew; side 2: Those "Gone and Left Me" Blues (Capitol 48034), from the album, Music from the Hills (Capitol AD 136).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Uncle Henry's Original Kentucky Mountaineers. side 1: The Love That We Once Knew; side 2: Those "Gone and Left Me" Blues (Capitol 48034), from the album, Music from the Hills (Capitol AD 136).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1949
recording artist
Uncle Henry's Original Kentucky Mountaineers
manufacturer
Capitol
ID Number
1996.0320.05317
maker number
48034
AD 136
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05317
Jimmy McPartland and his Orchestra. side 1: Original Dixieland One Step; side 2: I'm All Bound 'Round with the Mason Dixon Line (Decca 18441), from the album, Gems of Jazz, Vol. 5 (Decca A-324).78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1936.
Description
Jimmy McPartland and his Orchestra. side 1: Original Dixieland One Step; side 2: I'm All Bound 'Round with the Mason Dixon Line (Decca 18441), from the album, Gems of Jazz, Vol. 5 (Decca A-324).
78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1936. The album was released in 1942.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1936
release date
1942
recording artist
Jimmy McPartland and his Orchestra
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1978.0670.569
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
18441
A-324
catalog number
1978.0670.569
Fred Kirby. side 1: Please Don't Take My Baby; side 2: Hang Your Head in Shame (Sonora 1113), from the album, Hillbilly Tunes (Sonora MS-477).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Fred Kirby. side 1: Please Don't Take My Baby; side 2: Hang Your Head in Shame (Sonora 1113), from the album, Hillbilly Tunes (Sonora MS-477).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
ca 1947
recording artist
Kirby, Fred
manufacturer
Sonora
ID Number
1996.0320.05161
maker number
1113
MS-477
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05161
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
side 1: Juanita Hall with South Pacific Orchestra. Bali Ha'i: side 2: Mary Martin with South Pacific Orchestra.
Description

side 1: Juanita Hall with South Pacific Orchestra. Bali Ha'i: side 2: Mary Martin with South Pacific Orchestra. I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair (Columbia 4562-M), from the album, South Pacific (Columbia MM-850).
78 rpm.

This recording is of the Original Broadway cast for the 1949 musicalSouth Pacific, composed by Richard Rogers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, and book by Hammerstein and Joshua Logan. South Pacific opened at the Majestic Theatre on April 7, 1949, running for 1,925 performances. It received ten Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Score, Best Libretto, including awards in all four acting categories for Mary Martin, Ezio Pinza, Juanita Hall, and Myron McCormick. In 1950, the musical won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1949
recording artist
Martin, Mary
Hall, Juanita
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1980.0339.29
accession number
1980.0339
maker number
4562-M
MM-850
catalog number
1980.0339.29
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
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
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
May Hill Arbuthnot. side 1: Talking Time [part 1]; side 2: Talking Time [part 2] (RCA EOCB-4548/49), from the album, Poetry Time (RCA).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
May Hill Arbuthnot. side 1: Talking Time [part 1]; side 2: Talking Time [part 2] (RCA EOCB-4548/49), from the album, Poetry Time (RCA).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1951
recording artist
Arbuthnot, May Hill
manufacturer
RCA Victor
ID Number
1996.0320.05006
maker number
EOCB-4548/49
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05006

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