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.

referenced
Reagan, Ronald Wilson
ID Number
1984.0823.02
accession number
1984.0823
catalog number
1984.0823.02
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
Associated Name
Nixon, Richard M.
ID Number
1985.0693.020
accession number
1985.0693
catalog number
1985.0693.020
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
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1988.0520.022
catalog number
1988.0520.022
accession number
1988.0520
Jesus Colon is a Puerto Rican and Father of the Nuyorian Movement, a cultural and intellectual movement comprised of authors, musicans, and artists of Puerto Rican or those of Puerto Rican descent.Currently not on view
Description
Jesus Colon is a Puerto Rican and Father of the Nuyorian Movement, a cultural and intellectual movement comprised of authors, musicans, and artists of Puerto Rican or those of Puerto Rican descent.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1983
associated date
1983
ID Number
1986.1035.013
catalog number
1986.1035.013
accession number
1986.1035
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1985.0106.066
accession number
1985.0106
catalog number
1985.0106.066
A poster used in the Poor People's Campaign. The Poor People's Campaign was motivated by the social and economic injustices that affected 22-33% of the population.
Description
A poster used in the Poor People's Campaign. The Poor People's Campaign was motivated by the social and economic injustices that affected 22-33% of the population. Poor People's Campaign was a mulit-racial event with African Americans, White Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans and Native Americans taking part. Hermanos con la Raza translates to Brother with the race.
Location
Currently not on view
associated date
1968
associated institution
Southern Christian Leadership Conference
referenced
Lenin, Vladimir Ilyich
ID Number
PL.279881.2L
catalog number
279881.2l
A ha;ndmade poster written in Spanish supporting CORE. The Congress of Racial Equality, founded in 1942, comprised of 50 original members, men and women, black and white.
Description
A ha;ndmade poster written in Spanish supporting CORE. The Congress of Racial Equality, founded in 1942, comprised of 50 original members, men and women, black and white. CORE used non-violent tactics to oppose segregation, employment discrimination, and supported voting rights.
Location
Currently not on view
associated date
1963?
referenced
Congress of Racial Equality
ID Number
PL.259949.16
catalog number
259949.16
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
A 1981 poster sponsored by TABS, aids for ending sexism in schools.Currently not on view
Description
A 1981 poster sponsored by TABS, aids for ending sexism in schools.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1981
associated date
1981
depicted (sitter)
Stanton, Elizabeth Cady
Rankin, Jeannette
indirect
United Farm Workers
depicted (sitter)
Rankin, Jeannette
ID Number
1981.0878.02 [dup1]
accession number
1981.0878
catalog number
1981.0878.02
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1977
associated date
1977
ID Number
1978.0472.03.a
accession number
1978.0472
catalog number
1978.0472.03.a
A green poster with black and white text; "Viva la Huelga/ Don't buy Farrah pants!" In the 1970s, garment unions represented about 850,000 workers out of a total industry work force of 1.3 million.
Description
A green poster with black and white text; "Viva la Huelga/ Don't buy Farrah pants!" In the 1970s, garment unions represented about 850,000 workers out of a total industry work force of 1.3 million. Membership declined rapidly as businesses moved offshore and into the non-union South and Southwest. In 1995, garment unions with a combined membership of about 335,000 merged to form the Union of Needletrades, Industrial & Textile Employees (UNITE). Organizing new workers has been a major priority.
Location
Currently not on view
associated institution
Farah of Texas
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America
maker
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America
ID Number
1981.0452.07
accession number
1981.0452
catalog number
1981.0452.07
Cesar Chavez continued to keep the sweatshop conditions of farm labor in the nation’s eye as he organized the United Farm Workers of America during the 1960s.
Description
Cesar Chavez continued to keep the sweatshop conditions of farm labor in the nation’s eye as he organized the United Farm Workers of America during the 1960s. This UFW poster urged consumers to show their support for the UFW by refusing to buy lettuce and grapes.
Location
Currently not on view
associated institution
United Farm Workers
ID Number
1977.0660.08
accession number
1977.0660
catalog number
1977.0660.08
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
associated institution
United Farm Workers
ID Number
1977.0674.127
accession number
1977.0674
catalog number
1977.0674.127
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
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Associated Name
Zapata, Emiliano
ID Number
1988.0661.38
catalog number
1988.0661.38
accession number
1988.0661
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
referenced
United Farm Workers
ID Number
1985.0693.880
accession number
1985.0693
referenced
Nixon, Richard M.
Associated Name
United Farm Workers
ID Number
1986.0666.127
accession number
1986.0666
catalog number
1986.0666.127
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
United Farm Workers
ID Number
1988.0520.131
catalog number
1988.0520.131
accession number
1988.0520
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
A homemade poster used in the January 21, 2017 Women's March in Washington, DC.Currently not on view
Description
A homemade poster used in the January 21, 2017 Women's March in Washington, DC.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c. 2017-01-21
used date
2017-01-21
ID Number
2017.0248.48
accession number
2017.0248
catalog number
2017.0248.48
A poster used at a Chicago protest of Donald Trump's inauguration.Currently not on view
Description
A poster used at a Chicago protest of Donald Trump's inauguration.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c. 2017-01 January
Poster was made for inaugural protests in Chicago
2017-01-20
depicted (sitter)
Trump, Donald J.
maker
Sorrondeguy, Martin
ID Number
2018.0014.01
accession number
2018.0014
catalog number
2018.0014.01
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c. 2016-2017
depicted (sitter)
Fernandez, Vicente
maker
Hernandez, Mayra S.
ID Number
2018.0059.01
accession number
2018.0059
catalog number
2018.0059.01

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