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.

This 1979 tractor was owned by Gerald McCathern of Hereford, Tex., who used it in his fields for 700 hours before driving it 1,800 miles to Washington, D.C., to participate in the 1979 American Agriculture Movement demonstration.
Description
This 1979 tractor was owned by Gerald McCathern of Hereford, Tex., who used it in his fields for 700 hours before driving it 1,800 miles to Washington, D.C., to participate in the 1979 American Agriculture Movement demonstration. As wagon master, McCathern coordinated tractorcades that, while bringing the desperate situation facing American farmers to the attention of Congress, also substantially slowed rush-hour traffic. In the midst of the protest, a large snowstorm nearly paralyzed the city, and farmers used their tractors to pull cars out of snowbanks, earning the goodwill of many people.
The American Agriculture Movement bought the tractor and presented it to the Smithsonian in 1986. The IH 1486 is representative of the technology that typifies modern agriculture. It has sixteen forward and eight reverse speeds, power steering and brakes, diesel turbocharged engine, wide adjustable front end, detachable front weights, air-conditioning, AM-FM radio tape deck, hydraulic adjustable seat, and an adjustable steering wheel.
Date made
1979
user
McCathern, Gerald
maker
International Harvester
ID Number
1986.0179.01
catalog number
1986.0179.01
accession number
1986.0179
This object is an original pen and ink political cartoon hand drawn on heavy white paper by Clifford Berryman circa 1912 in Washington, D.C.
Description
This object is an original pen and ink political cartoon hand drawn on heavy white paper by Clifford Berryman circa 1912 in Washington, D.C. It depicts Woodrow Wilson in a barnyard with farm animals being fed "Wilson's Progressive Mixture." Each animal is labeled as a Wilson Rooster, Supporter, Promoter, Shouter, Promoter, Advocate, Follower, or Cackler. Inscribed in ink near his face as if he is speaking are the words "Everything in Knowing What to Feed 'Em." The drawing is stamped in the lower left corner with Berryman's number 14063 in blue ink. It is signed "Berryman" in the lower right area of the illustration.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
circa 1912
depicted
Wilson, Woodrow
maker
Berryman, Clifford
ID Number
PL.322733.006
catalog number
322733.006
accession number
322733
A poster advertising the boycott of wines made in Modesto, California along with any non United Farm Workers lettuce and grapes.Currently not on view
Description
A poster advertising the boycott of wines made in Modesto, California along with any non United Farm Workers lettuce and grapes.
Location
Currently not on view
associated person
Chavez, Cesar
associated institution
United Farm Workers
ID Number
PL.321648.29
catalog number
321648.29
accession number
321648
This object is an original pen and ink political cartoon hand drawn on white paper by Clifford Berryman circa 1917 in Washington, D.C. The title "Getting in the Hay" is inscribed in pencil and centered on the bottom.
Description
This object is an original pen and ink political cartoon hand drawn on white paper by Clifford Berryman circa 1917 in Washington, D.C. The title "Getting in the Hay" is inscribed in pencil and centered on the bottom. The drawing depicts Woodrow Wilson in farmer dress wielding a large bunch of hay, saying "Better get it all in while we can" and, behind him, the words "Fall Elections." A man named Congress is hoisting the hay up into the barn and says "Gosh it's hot up here." The drawing is stamped on the back with Berryman's number 44376 and is signed "Berryman" in the lower right area of the illustration.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
circa 1917
ca 1917
depicted
Wilson, Woodrow
maker
Berryman, Clifford
ID Number
PL.322733.002
catalog number
322733.002
accession number
322733
catalog number
322733.002
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
referenced
American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations
United Farm Workers
ID Number
PL.321807.19
accession number
1976.321807
catalog number
321807.20
A advertisement promoting the grape strike by the United Farm Workers.Currently not on view
Description
A advertisement promoting the grape strike by the United Farm Workers.
Location
Currently not on view
associated date
August 1
Associated Name
United Farm Workers
maker
Allied Printing Trades Council
ID Number
PL.296849.25
catalog number
296849.25
accession number
296849
A poster with an image of Pancho Villa. Pancho Villa was a Mexican guerilla fighter in the early 20th century, considered a champion of the people and advocate for land rights. He is also associated with the Chicano worker struggle.Currently not on view
Description
A poster with an image of Pancho Villa. Pancho Villa was a Mexican guerilla fighter in the early 20th century, considered a champion of the people and advocate for land rights. He is also associated with the Chicano worker struggle.
Location
Currently not on view
associated person
Villa, Pancho
associated institution
United Farm Workers
ID Number
PL.296849.36
catalog number
296849.36
accession number
296849
Poster referring to a lettuce growers strike in Salinas Valley, California in 1970-1971.Currently not on view
Description
Poster referring to a lettuce growers strike in Salinas Valley, California in 1970-1971.
Location
Currently not on view
associated institution; direct
United Farm Workers
ID Number
PL.296849.31
catalog number
296849.31
accession number
296849
A poster with lyrics from the Simon and Garfunkle song, "Bridge Over Troubled Water" The poster states that Paul Simon will help spread the word about the cause of the Farm Workers.Currently not on view
Description
A poster with lyrics from the Simon and Garfunkle song, "Bridge Over Troubled Water" The poster states that Paul Simon will help spread the word about the cause of the Farm Workers.
Location
Currently not on view
quoted
Chavez, Cesar
Simon, Paul
affiliated union; direct
United Farm Workers
Associated Name
Simon, Paul
United Farm Workers
ID Number
PL.296849.33
catalog number
296849.33
accession number
296849
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1965-1970 circa
direct
United Farm Workers
ID Number
PL.296849.28
catalog number
296849.28
accession number
296849
A 1988 poster asking for consumers to boycott grapes.Currently not on view
Description
A 1988 poster asking for consumers to boycott grapes.
Location
Currently not on view
Associated Name
AFL-CIO
United Farm Workers
ID Number
1988.0520.132
catalog number
1988.0520.132
accession number
1988.0520
referenced
Nixon, Richard M.
Associated Name
United Farm Workers
ID Number
1986.0666.127
accession number
1986.0666
catalog number
1986.0666.127
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
United Farm Workers
ID Number
1993.0448.21
catalog number
1993.0448.21
accession number
1993.0448
UFW leader Cesar Chavez organized a nationwide boycott against California grape growers demanding higher wages and better living and working conditions for migrant farm workers.Currently not on view
Description
UFW leader Cesar Chavez organized a nationwide boycott against California grape growers demanding higher wages and better living and working conditions for migrant farm workers.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
mid 1960s
depicted
Chavez, Cesar
affiliated union
Lithographers and Photoengravers International Union
maker
Lithographers and Photoengravers International Union
ID Number
1996.0250.02
catalog number
1996.0250.02
accession number
1996.0250
Photograph: An agent from the Texas growers association selects braceros for distribution among his association members in Hidalgo, Texas.Currently not on view
Description
Photograph: An agent from the Texas growers association selects braceros for distribution among his association members in Hidalgo, Texas.
Location
Currently not on view
date photographed
1956
photographer
Nadel, Leonard
ID Number
2004.0138.14.14
accession number
2004.0138
catalog number
2004.0138.14.14
Photograph: A bracero places heads of lettuce in a Toro lettuce box in a field in the Salinas Valley, California.Currently not on view
Description
Photograph: A bracero places heads of lettuce in a Toro lettuce box in a field in the Salinas Valley, California.
Location
Currently not on view
date photographed
1956
photographer
Nadel, Leonard
ID Number
2004.0138.34.15
accession number
2004.0138
catalog number
2004.0138.34.15
Photograph: A vendor offers a liquid to the braceros who stand around him at a camp in the Salinas Valley, California.
Description
Photograph: A vendor offers a liquid to the braceros who stand around him at a camp in the Salinas Valley, California.
date photographed
1956
photographer
Nadel, Leonard
ID Number
2004.0138.24.34
accession number
2004.0138
catalog number
2004.0138.24.34
Photograph: A bracero family sits in their home in San Mateo, Mexico.Currently not on view
Description
Photograph: A bracero family sits in their home in San Mateo, Mexico.
Location
Currently not on view
date photographed
1956
photographer
Nadel, Leonard
ID Number
2004.0138.08.01
accession number
2004.0138
catalog number
2004.0138.08.01
Photograph: Standing on a truck, a bracero leans against a stack of Toro lettuce boxes in a field in the Salinas Valley, California.Currently not on view
Description
Photograph: Standing on a truck, a bracero leans against a stack of Toro lettuce boxes in a field in the Salinas Valley, California.
Location
Currently not on view
date photographed
1956
photographer
Nadel, Leonard
ID Number
2004.0138.40.25
accession number
2004.0138
catalog number
2004.0138.40.25
Photograph: Standing on a truck, a bracero leans against a stack of Toro lettuce boxes in a field in the Salinas Valley, California.Currently not on view
Description
Photograph: Standing on a truck, a bracero leans against a stack of Toro lettuce boxes in a field in the Salinas Valley, California.
Location
Currently not on view
date photographed
1956
photographer
Nadel, Leonard
ID Number
2004.0138.40.22
accession number
2004.0138
catalog number
2004.0138.40.22
Photograph: Braceros unpack their food and personal belongings as an inspector searches for contraband at the Hidalgo Processing Center, Texas.Currently not on view
Description
Photograph: Braceros unpack their food and personal belongings as an inspector searches for contraband at the Hidalgo Processing Center, Texas.
Location
Currently not on view
date photographed
1956
photographer
Nadel, Leonard
ID Number
2004.0138.02.34
accession number
2004.0138
catalog number
2004.0138.02.34
Photograph: An official reviews a bracero's documents at the Monterrey Processing Center, Mexico.Currently not on view
Description
Photograph: An official reviews a bracero's documents at the Monterrey Processing Center, Mexico.
Location
Currently not on view
date photographed
1956
photographer
Nadel, Leonard
ID Number
2004.0138.13.07
accession number
2004.0138
catalog number
2004.0138.13.07
Photograph: A bus stands near braceros' living quarters at a camp in the Western United States.
Description
Photograph: A bus stands near braceros' living quarters at a camp in the Western United States.
date photographed
1956
photographer
Nadel, Leonard
ID Number
2004.0138.30.19
accession number
2004.0138
catalog number
2004.0138.30.19
Photograph: Braceros have dinner in a dining hall at a camp in California.Currently not on view
Description
Photograph: Braceros have dinner in a dining hall at a camp in California.
Location
Currently not on view
date photographed
1956
photographer
Nadel, Leonard
ID Number
2004.0138.28.19
accession number
2004.0138
catalog number
2004.0138.28.19

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