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.

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1937-02-26
associated date
1937 02 26
associated person
Wheeler
Lewis
maker
Berryman, Clifford
ID Number
PL.322733.099
catalog number
322733.099
accession number
322733
This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1932.The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1932.The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and campaign medals.
Obverse: Profiles of Franklin D. Roosevelt and John Nance Garner, with the legend: A NEW DAY A NEW DEAL/FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT/JOHN N. GARNER.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1932
depicted
Roosevelt, Franklin Delano
Garner, John N.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1314
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1314
This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1932. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1932. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and campaign medals.
Obverse: Profiles of Franklin D. Roosevelt and John Nance Garner, with the legend: A NEW DAY A NEW DEAL/FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT/JOHN N. GARNER.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1932
depicted
Roosevelt, Franklin Delano
Garner, John N.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1152
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1152
During the Great Depression, government photographer Dorothea Lange took this picture at a migrant farmworkers' camp near Nipomo, California. Lange's brief caption recorded her impressions of the family's plight: "Destitute pea pickers ...
Description
During the Great Depression, government photographer Dorothea Lange took this picture at a migrant farmworkers' camp near Nipomo, California. Lange's brief caption recorded her impressions of the family's plight: "Destitute pea pickers ... a 32-year-old mother of seven children."
First published in a San Francisco newspaper, this poignant image became one of the most famous photographs of the Depression era, emblematic of the hardships suffered by poor migrant families. The "migrant mother," anonymous for many years, was later identified as Oklahoma native Florence Thompson.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1936
maker
Lange, Dorothea
ID Number
1983.0069.07
accession number
1983.0069
catalog number
83.69.7
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1933
associated date
1933
ID Number
1987.0012.03
accession number
1987.0012
catalog number
1987.0012.03
Date made
ca. 1930s
date made
circa 1930s
associated person
Roosevelt, Franklin Delano
referenced
CBS Radio network
ID Number
PL.233610.01
catalog number
233610.01
accession number
233610
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1932
associated person
Clark, Frank
Hoover, Lou Henry
ID Number
PL.274922.01
catalog number
274922.01
accession number
274922
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Associated Date
1964
associated; depicted
Goldwater, Barry
Johnson, Lyndon B.
ID Number
PL.227739.1964.U05
A Nickolas Muray 3-color carbro head and shoulders portrait of Franklin Delano Roosevelt ca. 1932. Roosevelt was governor of New York when the photograph was taken, he wears a blue tie and gray wool jacket.Photo Recto: Signed by artisit in lower right corner (white pencil).
Description (Brief)
A Nickolas Muray 3-color carbro head and shoulders portrait of Franklin Delano Roosevelt ca. 1932. Roosevelt was governor of New York when the photograph was taken, he wears a blue tie and gray wool jacket.
Photo Recto: Signed by artisit in lower right corner (white pencil). Mount Recto: "F.D.R." in lower left side (white pencil). "President Franklin Delano Roosevelt" in lower left corner (label). Verso: Muray label. "President F. D. Roosevelt (then governor) for Chicago Tribune" (black marker). "F.D.R. 1932" (pencil). "#8" (pencil).
Description
Nickolas Muray was born in Szeged, Hungary on February 15, 1892. Twelve years after his birth, Muray left his native town and enrolled in a graphic arts school in Budapest. Enrolling in art school was the first step on a road that would eventually lead him to study a photographic printing process called three-color carbro. In the course of his accomplished career, Muray would become an expert in this process and play a key role in bringing color photography to America.
While attending art school in Budapest, Muray studied lithography and photoengraving, earning an International Engraver's Certificate. Muray was also introduced to photography during this time period. His combined interest in photography and printmaking led him to Berlin, Germany to participate in a three-year color-photoengraving course. In Berlin, Muray learned how to make color filters, a first step in the craft that would one day become his trademark. Immediately after the completion of the course, Muray found a good job with a publishing company in Ullstein, Germany. However, the threat of war in Europe forced Muray to flee for America in 1913. Soon after his arrival in New York, Muray was working as a photoengraver for Condé Nast. His specialty was color separations and half-tone negatives.
By 1920, Muray had established a home for himself in the up-and-coming artists' haven of Greenwich Village. He opened a portrait studio out of his apartment and continued to work part time at his engraving job. Harper's Bazaar magazine gave Muray his first big assignment in 1921. The project was to photograph Broadway star Florence Reed. The magazine was so impressed with his photographs that they began to publish his work monthly. This allowed him to give up his part time job and work solely as a photographer. It did not take long for Muray to become one of the most renowned portrait photographers in Manhattan. Muray spent much of the early 1920s photographing the most famous and important personalities in New York at the time.
In his spare time Muray enjoyed fencing. In 1927, he won the National Sabre Championship and in 1928 and 1932, he was on the United States Olympic Team. During World War II, Muray was a flight lieutenant in the Civil Air Patrol.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1932
depicted (sitter)
Roosevelt, Franklin Delano
maker
Muray, Nickolas
ID Number
PG.69.247.20
catalog number
69.247.20
accession number
287542
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1930s
1934 - 1940
associated person
Roosevelt
maker
Berryman, Clifford
ID Number
PL.322733.034
catalog number
322733.034
accession number
322733
The object is a political cartoon hand-drawn on white paper about 1932 by Clifford Berryman in Washington, D.C.
Description
The object is a political cartoon hand-drawn on white paper about 1932 by Clifford Berryman in Washington, D.C. It depicts Chairman of the Democratic National Committee Jouett Shouse, a political conservative, on a raft "adrift at sea" because the Democrats continue to support the liberal Franklin D. Roosevelt for President of the United States. Shouse would not endorse Roosevelt. Shouse is wearing a "Liberty League" hat which signifies his involvement as leader of the Liberty League, a conservative political organization comprising mostly wealthy and prominent businessmen and politicians.
The drawing is signed "Berryman" in the lower right area of the illustration.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
circa 1932
associated date
1932
associated person
Roosevelt, Franklin Delano
associated institution
Democratic National Party
Democratic National Committee
depicted (sitter); referenced
Shouse, Jouett
maker
Berryman, Clifford
ID Number
PL.322733.040
catalog number
322733.040
In defense of democracies around the world, President Franklin D. Roosevelt in his annual message to Congress on January 6, 1941, articulated the aims of the nation facing the threat of a world at war.
Description
In defense of democracies around the world, President Franklin D. Roosevelt in his annual message to Congress on January 6, 1941, articulated the aims of the nation facing the threat of a world at war. “We look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms” he stated. Two of these freedoms were specifically included in the Bill of Rights, freedom of speech and freedom of religion. Two were freedoms deeply desired by a generation confronted by economic depression and the threat of dictatorships, freedom from want and freedom from fear.
Artist Norman Rockwell dramatized those aims in a series of paintings that appeared as covers for the Saturday Evening Post and as posters produced by the Office of War Information for its war bond campaign in 1943.
date made
1940s
artist
Rockwell, Norman
maker
Rockwell, Norman
ID Number
PL.314098.02
accession number
314098
catalog number
314098.02
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1942-03-08
associated date
1942 03 03
depicted
Roosevelt, Franklin Delano
maker
Berryman, Clifford
ID Number
PL.322733.102
catalog number
322733.102
accession number
322733
In defense of democracies around the world, President Franklin D. Roosevelt in his annual message to Congress on January 6, 1941, articulated the aims of the nation facing the threat of a world at war.
Description
In defense of democracies around the world, President Franklin D. Roosevelt in his annual message to Congress on January 6, 1941, articulated the aims of the nation facing the threat of a world at war. “We look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms” he stated. Two of these freedoms were specifically included in the Bill of Rights, freedom of speech and freedom of religion. Two were freedoms deeply desired by a generation confronted by economic depression and the threat of dictatorships, freedom from want and freedom from fear.
Artist Norman Rockwell dramatized those aims in a series of paintings that appeared as covers for the Saturday Evening Post and as posters produced by the Office of War Information for its war bond campaign in 1943.
date made
1940s
artist
Rockwell, Norman
ID Number
PL.314098.04
catalog number
314098.04
accession number
314098
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
circa 1925
circa 1928
circa 1931
circa 1912
circa 1923
associated institution
Republican Party
maker
Berryman, Clifford
ID Number
PL.322733.041
catalog number
322733.041
In defense of democracies around the world, President Franklin D. Roosevelt in his annual message to Congress on January 6, 1941, articulated the aims of the nation facing the threat of a world at war.
Description
In defense of democracies around the world, President Franklin D. Roosevelt in his annual message to Congress on January 6, 1941, articulated the aims of the nation facing the threat of a world at war. “We look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms” he stated. Two of these freedoms were specifically included in the Bill of Rights, freedom of speech and freedom of religion. Two were freedoms deeply desired by a generation confronted by economic depression and the threat of dictatorships, freedom from want and freedom from fear.
Artist Norman Rockwell dramatized those aims in a series of paintings that appeared as covers for the Saturday Evening Post and as posters produced by the Office of War Information for its war bond campaign in 1943.
date made
1940s
artist
Rockwell, Norman
maker
Rockwell, Norman
ID Number
PL.314098.03
accession number
314098
catalog number
314098.03
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1932
referenced
Roosevelt, Jr., Theodore
Roosevelt, Franklin Delano
Democratic National Party
maker
Berryman, Clifford
ID Number
PL.322733.032
catalog number
322733.032
accession number
322733
The object is a political cartoon hand-drawn on white paper by Clifford Berryman in Washington, D.C. circa 1930. It depicts Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt of New York and Governor Albert C.
Description
The object is a political cartoon hand-drawn on white paper by Clifford Berryman in Washington, D.C. circa 1930. It depicts Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt of New York and Governor Albert C. Ritchie of Maryland, each reportedly hoping to win the Democratic nomination for President if the party did not elect Senator Joseph Taylor Robinson of Arkansas. Robinson is depicted as a chick emerging from an egg. According to some news reports at the time, both Governors denied expressing interest.in seeking the nomination. The drawing is signed "Berryman" in the lower right area of the illustration.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
circa 1930
associated date
1932
depicted
Roosevelt, Franklin Delano
Ritchie, Albert C.
referenced
Robinson, Joseph T.
associated
Democratic Party
maker
Berryman, Clifford
ID Number
PL.322733.035
catalog number
322733.035
accession number
322733
In defense of democracies around the world, President Franklin D. Roosevelt in his annual message to Congress on January 6, 1941, articulated the aims of the nation facing the threat of a world at war.
Description
In defense of democracies around the world, President Franklin D. Roosevelt in his annual message to Congress on January 6, 1941, articulated the aims of the nation facing the threat of a world at war. “We look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms” he stated. Two of these freedoms were specifically included in the Bill of Rights, freedom of speech and freedom of religion. Two were freedoms deeply desired by a generation confronted by economic depression and the threat of dictatorships, freedom from want and freedom from fear.
Artist Norman Rockwell dramatized those aims in a series of paintings that appeared as covers for the Saturday Evening Post and as posters produced by the Office of War Information for its war bond campaign in 1943.
date made
1940s
artist
Rockwell, Norman
maker
Rockwell, Norman
ID Number
PL.314098.01
accession number
314098
catalog number
314098.01
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1945
ID Number
2016.3086.244
nonaccession number
2016.3086
catalog number
2016.3086.244
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1941-12
depicted (sitter)
Roosevelt, Franklin Delano
ID Number
2013.0327.1153
accession number
2013.0327
catalog number
2013.0327.1153
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1936-11-03
depicted (sitter)
Farley, James A.
Dempsey, Jack
maker
Acme Photo
ID Number
2013.0327.1272
accession number
2013.0327
catalog number
2013.0327.1272
Press print; Fred M. Vinson, standing and speaking; wearing a pinstripe suit, gesturing with right hand and holding glasses in left hand; Frederick Moore Vinson was an American Democratic politician.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Press print; Fred M. Vinson, standing and speaking; wearing a pinstripe suit, gesturing with right hand and holding glasses in left hand; Frederick Moore Vinson was an American Democratic politician.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1943
depicted (sitter)
Vinson, Frederick Moore
maker
Associated Press
ID Number
2013.0327.0806
accession number
2013.0327
catalog number
2013.0327.0806
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1946
ID Number
2013.0327.1162
accession number
2013.0327
catalog number
2013.0327.1162

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