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.

ID Number
1983.0591.03
accession number
1983.0591
catalog number
1983.0591.03
The most basic right of citizenship has been equal access and protection under the law. The fight to extend this right to all began before the Declaration of Independence proclaimed “all men are created equal,” and continues today.
Description
The most basic right of citizenship has been equal access and protection under the law. The fight to extend this right to all began before the Declaration of Independence proclaimed “all men are created equal,” and continues today.
depicted
Sitting Bull
ID Number
1984.1081.223
accession number
1984.1081
catalog number
1984.1081.223
A delegation of Plains Indians gave these beaded moccasins to President Ulysses S. Grant during a 1870s peace conference in Washington, D.C. The design unites motifs and forms from both cultures as a powerful statement of hopeful coexistence.
Description
A delegation of Plains Indians gave these beaded moccasins to President Ulysses S. Grant during a 1870s peace conference in Washington, D.C. The design unites motifs and forms from both cultures as a powerful statement of hopeful coexistence.
date made
pre 1877
described
Grant, Ulysses S.
ID Number
PL.308316.005
catalog number
308316.005
accession number
308316
P. S. Duval and Company (ca 1840s-1858) of Philadelphia produced this chromolithographic print from an original illustration by John M. Stanley (1814-1872).
Description (Brief)
P. S. Duval and Company (ca 1840s-1858) of Philadelphia produced this chromolithographic print from an original illustration by John M. Stanley (1814-1872). The image of "Wooden Ware, etc." was published as Plate X in Volume 2, following page 116 of Appendix E (Indian Antiquities) by Thomas Ewbank (1792-1870) in the report describing "The U.S. Naval Astronomical Expedition to the Southern Hemisphere during the Years 1849, 1850, 1851, and 1852" by James M. Gillis (1811-1865). The volume was printed in 1855 by A. O. P. Nicholson (1808-1876) of Washington, D.C.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1855
original artist
Wallis, O. J.
Dreser, William
Herbst, Francis
graphic artist
Sinclair, Thomas
Dougal, William H.
Duval, Peter S.
printer
Nicholson, A. O. P.
publisher
United States Navy
original artist
Richard, John H.
Stanley, John Mix
Siebert, Selmar
author
Cassin, John
Ewbank, Thomas
Baird, Spencer Fullerton
Gilliss, James Melville
ID Number
2007.0204.01
accession number
2007.0204
catalog number
2007.0204.01
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
April 22, 1871
copyright date
April 22, 1871
producer
Nast, Thomas
maker
Nast, Thomas
ID Number
2009.0245.098
accession number
2009.0245
catalog number
2009.0245.098
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1972-01
depicted (sitter)
Kennedy, Edward M.
photographer
Regan, Ken
ID Number
2014.0112.619
catalog number
2014.0112.619
accession number
2014.0112
A poster advertising the Longest Walk.
Description
A poster advertising the Longest Walk. The Longest Walk, held in 1978, consisted of a march from San Francisco, CA to Washington, DC to bring awareness to the rights of Native people and to protest eleven bills that threatened treaties between the government and several Native tribes.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1978
associated date
1978 07 15
ID Number
1978.2202.32
accession number
1978.2202
catalog number
1978.2202.32
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1970s
depicted
Sitting Bull
ID Number
2003.0317.065
catalog number
2003.0317.065
accession number
2003.0317

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