Government, Politics, and Reform

George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln are all represented in the Museum's collections—by a surveying compass, a lap desk, and a top hat, among other artifacts. But the roughly 100,000 objects in this collection reach beyond the possessions of statesmen to touch the broader political life of the nation—in election campaigns, the women's suffrage movement, labor activity, civil rights, and many other areas. Campaign objects make up much of the collection, including posters, novelties, ballots, voting machines, and many others. A second group includes general political history artifacts, such as first ladies' clothing and accessories, diplomatic materials, ceremonial objects, national symbols, and paintings and sculptures of political figures. The third main area focuses on artifacts related to political reform movements, from labor unions to antiwar groups.

A poster with the State of California's "Voter's Bill of Rights"Currently not on view
Description
A poster with the State of California's "Voter's Bill of Rights"
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c. 2014
associated date
2014
ID Number
2016.0023.01
catalog number
2016.0023.01
accession number
2016.0023
This image, said to be the most popular poster design of World War II, appeared as a billboard in 1941. Carl Paulson created the design under the direction of the Outdoor Advertising Association of America, Inc., for a U.S.
Description
This image, said to be the most popular poster design of World War II, appeared as a billboard in 1941. Carl Paulson created the design under the direction of the Outdoor Advertising Association of America, Inc., for a U.S. Treasury Department campaign promoting the widespread public ownership of defense bonds and stamps. To demonstrate the power of advertising while selling bonds, the billboard industry displayed this image of the American flag at more than 30,000 locations in some 18,000 cities and towns across the country in March and April 1942. The Treasury brought back the billboard for campaigns in July 1942 and 1943. To meet public demand for copies of the billboard, the Government Printing Office printed 4 million small color reproductions.
The Roosevelt quotation on this poster is from his fireside chat of May 27, 1941. In this radio address he proclaimed "an unlimited national emergency" to strengthen the nation's defense in response to the threat of a "world war" growing from the "advance of Hitlerism." In particular, he said "the delivery of needed supplies to Britain is imperative. I say that this can be done; it must be done; and it will be done."
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1942
issuing authority
Department of the Treasury
designer
Paulson, Carl
ID Number
PL.164237.02
accession number
164237
catalog number
164237.02
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
PL.299342.14
accession number
299342
catalog number
299342.14
A poster asking for voting rights to restored to convicted felons in Minnesota.Currently not on view
Description
A poster asking for voting rights to restored to convicted felons in Minnesota.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2016.0022.01
catalog number
2016.0022.01
accession number
2016.0022
The 22nd Amendment to the Constitution was passed by Congress in March 1947 and sets presidential term limits to two.Currently not on view
Description
The 22nd Amendment to the Constitution was passed by Congress in March 1947 and sets presidential term limits to two.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c1988
Associated Name
Reagan, Ronald Wilson
ID Number
1986.0849.06
accession number
1986.0849
catalog number
1986.0849.06
This poster, produced by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union, was used at the 20th anniversary March on Washington, which matched the size of the historic 1963 rally.
Description
This poster, produced by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union, was used at the 20th anniversary March on Washington, which matched the size of the historic 1963 rally.
associated institution
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
ID Number
1983.0546.11
accession number
1983.0546
catalog number
1983.0546.11
A 1979 poster, "Women Artists Speak to Government"Currently not on view
Description
A 1979 poster, "Women Artists Speak to Government"
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1979
associated date
January 28, 1979
ID Number
1982.3014.07
A pro-Reagan campaign poster.Currently not on view
Description
A pro-Reagan campaign poster.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c1988
referenced
Reagan, Ronald Wilson
Associated Name
Lincoln, Abraham
ID Number
1986.0849.07
accession number
1986.0849
catalog number
1986.0849.07
This poster was used at a May 6, 1979, protest against nuclear power in Washington, D.C.
Description
This poster was used at a May 6, 1979, protest against nuclear power in Washington, D.C.
associated date
1979 05 06
ID Number
1982.0340.01
accession number
1982.0340
catalog number
1982.0340.01
A homemade poster protesting US aid to the Contras in Nicaragua. The United States government supported the Contras, right wing groups that opposed the Socialist Sandinista Junta of National Reconstruction Government.
Description
A homemade poster protesting US aid to the Contras in Nicaragua. The United States government supported the Contras, right wing groups that opposed the Socialist Sandinista Junta of National Reconstruction Government. The Sandinistas were viewed as an economic and security threat to the United States. The contras downplayed various human rights violations and use of terrorist tactics especially during the Reagan Administration. Congress banned further support of the Contras, but the Reagan administration continued aid through what is now known as the Iran-Contra Affair.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced
Reagan, Ronald Wilson
ID Number
1983.0545.11
accession number
1983.0545
catalog number
1983.0545.11
Nicaragua's Literacy Crusade was sponsored by the Sandinista government in 1980.Currently not on view
Description
Nicaragua's Literacy Crusade was sponsored by the Sandinista government in 1980.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1980
associated date
1980
ID Number
1986.1035.092
catalog number
1986.1035.092
accession number
1986.1035
In the early 1900s, union organizers overcame the seemingly impossible task of uniting employees in factories and small scattered shops. Surmounting ethnic divisions and hostile owners, workers built lasting labor unions within the major divisions of the garment industry.
Description
In the early 1900s, union organizers overcame the seemingly impossible task of uniting employees in factories and small scattered shops. Surmounting ethnic divisions and hostile owners, workers built lasting labor unions within the major divisions of the garment industry. The International Ladies’ Garment Workers Union organized women’s and children’s apparel workers; the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America focused on men’s clothing employees; and the United Garment Workers of America centered primarily on makers of work clothing.
With President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal legislation granting unions legal protection to organize, membership in needle trade unions rose to more than 400,000 out of a garment industry work force of more than 600,000 in 1934.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1916
associated date
May 3, 1916
ID Number
1986.0710.0043
accession number
1986.0710
catalog number
1986.0710.0043
A poster protesting Jim Crow laws that mandated segregation in public schools, public transportation, and public places such as bathrooms and restaurants.
Description
A poster protesting Jim Crow laws that mandated segregation in public schools, public transportation, and public places such as bathrooms and restaurants. Jim Crow laws were established in the Southern United States in the late 19th century and continuted until the mid 1960s.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1988.0268.03
catalog number
1988.0268.03
accession number
1988.0268
A 1979 poster, "Women Artists Speak to Government"Currently not on view
Description
A 1979 poster, "Women Artists Speak to Government"
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1979
associated date
January 28, 1979
ID Number
1982.3014.06
ID Number
1986.0534.23
catalog number
1986.0534.23
accession number
1986.0534
A poster sponsored by Frontlash encouraging citizens, especially minorities and youth, to register and vote.Currently not on view
Description
A poster sponsored by Frontlash encouraging citizens, especially minorities and youth, to register and vote.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1984
associated date
1984
maker
Frontlash
ID Number
1985.0174.02
accession number
1985.0174
catalog number
1985.0174.02
A 1979 poster, "Women Artists Speak to Government"Currently not on view
Description
A 1979 poster, "Women Artists Speak to Government"
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1979
associated date
January 28, 1979
ID Number
1982.3014.01
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
described
United Auto Workers
ID Number
1988.0710.03
catalog number
1988.0710.03
accession number
1988.0710
Poster from a 1924 pageant, "Forward into Light"” about the life of Inez MilhollandA labor lawyer, World War I correspondent, public speaker, social activist, and New York society figure, Inez Milholland was the idealized image of a suffragist.
Description
Poster from a 1924 pageant, "Forward into Light"” about the life of Inez Milholland
A labor lawyer, World War I correspondent, public speaker, social activist, and New York society figure, Inez Milholland was the idealized image of a suffragist. Believing that people would respond to the parade’s symbolism and spectacle, she rode as its herald. Her strong and feminine figure symbolically led the way to a brighter future for women. Milholland suffered from pernicious anemia, she had been warned by doctors that constant vigorous campaigning would be dangerous to her health but disregarded their concerns to further promote the cause. She collapsed and died in 1916 while traveling to promote woman suffrage. She became the martyred heroine of the movement, forever remembered as the 1913 parade’s inspiring herald.
Location
Currently not on view
associated institution
National Woman's Party
associated person
Paul, Alice
depicted (sitter)
Milholland, Inez
ID Number
1987.0165.114
catalog number
1987.0165.114
accession number
1987.0165
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1989.0486.001
accession number
1989.0486
catalog number
1989.0486.001
Activists directed much of their rage at the Reagan administration; the president remained largely silent about the epidemic until 1987 when he declared AIDS “public health enemy number one.” The SILENCE=DEATH emblem, adopted that same year by the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power
Description
Activists directed much of their rage at the Reagan administration; the president remained largely silent about the epidemic until 1987 when he declared AIDS “public health enemy number one.” The SILENCE=DEATH emblem, adopted that same year by the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT UP), was a call to change tactics, since neither silence nor community self-reliance had stopped the deaths. The pink triangle was a symbol of the gay rights movement.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1987
ID Number
1988.0537.04
catalog number
1988.0537.04
accession number
1988.0537
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1986.1035.106
catalog number
1986.1035.106
accession number
1986.1035
A poster with an image of Bella Abzug used at the 2011 March for LifeCurrently not on view
Description
A poster with an image of Bella Abzug used at the 2011 March for Life
Location
Currently not on view
referenced
Abzug, Bella
ID Number
1986.1035.100
catalog number
1986.1035.100
accession number
1986.1035
A poster calling for expulsion of the Chilean junta from the United Nations. The Chilean junta was established after the overthrow of President Salvador Allende in 1973. The junta opposed those who were leftist.
Description
A poster calling for expulsion of the Chilean junta from the United Nations. The Chilean junta was established after the overthrow of President Salvador Allende in 1973. The junta opposed those who were leftist. Approximately 3,000 people were killed, 27,000 imprisoned, while others were exiled.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced
United Nations
ID Number
1986.1035.015
catalog number
1986.1035.015
accession number
1986.1035

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