Government, Politics, and Reform - Overview
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.
"Government, Politics, and Reform - Overview" showing 2138 items.
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"Woodsy Owl" Anti-Pollution Poster
- Description
- The U.S.D.A. Forest Service introduced Woodsy Owl in 1971 as an anti-litter and anti-pollution symbol to promote wise use of the environment. The campaign, which continues today, is primarily aimed at school-age children and uses slogans such as “Give a Hoot! Don’t Pollute” and “Lend a Hand-Care for the Land.”
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1970s
- producer
- Department of Agriculture
- ID Number
- PL*303680.03
- catalog number
- 303680.03
- accession number
- 303680
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Johnny Horizon '76 Sticker
- Description
- The Johnny Horizon Program was established by the U.S. Department of the Interior in the early 1970s to increase environmental awareness and encourage people to work together to improve and protect the environment. “Johnny Horizon” was a symbolic figure of a concerned citizen who wanted to help clean up America as it approached its 200th birthday in 1976. His slogan was “This Land is Your Land—Keep it Clean.”
- This sticker was one of a variety of educational materials from the “Johnny Horizon” program distributed to schools and communities throughout the country.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1973
- associated institution
- Department of Interior. Bureau of Education
- ID Number
- PL*306506.03
- catalog number
- 306506.03
- accession number
- 306506
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
EPA "Save Gas" Bumper Sticker
- Description
- During the gas shortages of the 1970s, American motorists were encouraged to reduce highway speed in order to cut fuel consumption and automobile emissions. The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency issued this red, white, and blue bumper sticker in the shape of a flag during the 1976 Bicentennial to promote patriotism and support for this unpopular idea.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1976
- issued date
- 1976
- associated institution
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- ID Number
- 1977.0526.01
- accession number
- 1977.0526
- catalog number
- 1977.0526.01
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Johnny Horizon '76 Cowboy Hat
- Description
- The Johnny Horizon Program was established by the U.S. Department of the Interior in the early 1970s to increase environmental awareness and encourage people to work together to improve and protect the environment. “Johnny Horizon” was a symbolic figure of a concerned citizen who wanted to help keep America clean as it approached its 200th birthday in 1976.
- The program distributed environmental education newsletters, booklets, stickers, and other material throughout the country. This “Johnny Horizon” red, white, and blue life-size cowboy hat was offered to children so they could show their support for a safe and healthy future for America.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1976
- associated date
- 1976
- associated institution
- Department of Interior. Bureau of Education
- ID Number
- 1977.0680.02
- accession number
- 1977.0680
- catalog number
- 1977.0680.02
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
A&P Grocery Bag
- Description
- The grassroots environmental movements that sprang up in America in the 1960s and early 1970s gave rise to new organizations and campaigns urging the conservation of natural resources. The A&P Grocery chain used this paper shopping bag promoting energy conservation in the mid-1970s demonstrating that even corporate America responded to the call for increased environmental awareness.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1973
- ID Number
- 1977.0700.16
- accession number
- 1977.0700
- catalog number
- 1977.0700.16
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Sheet Music, "We Are Coming Father Abraam," 1862
- Description
- Never before had such massive armies confronted each other with such deadly force. Mobilizing and maintaining these large armies became a central focus for both sides.
- In 1862, Lincoln called for an additional 300,000 volunteers prompting James Sloane Gibbons to write a poem, “We are coming, Father Abraam, three hundred thousand more.” It was first published anonymously in the New York Evening Post and was set to music by a number of composers including P.S. Gilmore.
- Gift of King S. Levin, 1980
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1862
- associated date
- 1862
- referenced
- Lincoln, Abraham
- ID Number
- 1980.0066.01
- accession number
- 1980.0066
- catalog number
- 1980.0066.01
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Abraham Lincoln Campaign Badge
- Description (Brief)
- This presidential campaign badge was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1860. 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 badges.
- This badge features a photograph of Abraham Lincoln in a brass oval frame. The badge was likely attached to a pin so it could be worn.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- depicted
- Lincoln, Abraham
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1068
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1068
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Ulysses S. Grant Campaign Badge
- Description (Brief)
- This presidential campaign badge was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company around 1868. 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 badges.
- The badge features a tintype photograph of Ulysses S. Grant set into a brass frame, which would have originally been attached to a pin and displayed on clothing.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- depicted
- Grant, Ulysses S.
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1069
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1069
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Abraham Lincoln Campaign Badge
- Description (Brief)
- This presidential campaign badge was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1860. 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 badges.
- This badge features a tintype photograph of Abraham Lincoln, and the photo is labeled “A. Lincoln.” above Lincoln’s head. The badge likely had a pin originally on its back, so the badge could be worn and displayed.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- depicted
- Lincoln, Abraham
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1079
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1079
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Abraham Lincoln Campaign Medal
- Description (Brief)
- This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company around 1860. 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 badges.
- Obverse: Bust depiction of Abraham Lincoln facing forward. The legend reads: ABRAM LINCOLN/ FREE LAND, FREE SPEECH & FREE MEN.
- Reverse: An image of an eagle with the U.S. shield, clutching arrows and an olive branch in its talons. The legend reads: UNION OF THE STATES.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- depicted
- Lincoln, Abraham
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1085
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1085
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center