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.

Text and photograph from Gardner's Photographic Sketchbook of the War, Vol. II. Negative by William R.
Description
Text and photograph from Gardner's Photographic Sketchbook of the War, Vol. II. Negative by William R. Pywell, text and positive by Alexander Gardner.
The Old Capitol Prison, previous to the war, was a dingy, crumbling structure, with rambling passages, and with quaint rooms where one least expected to find them. The staircases ran up about the building with a sort of uncertainty that bewildered the visitor, and dust and cob-webs hung upon its walls so thick, that one walked cautiously along its floors, lest a heavy tread should bring down the accumulated filth of years upon his head. Congress ordered its erection during the war of 1812, for its own use until the Capitol, burned by the British, could be rebuilt; and after the completion of the latter, this establishment was used as a boarding house for members. The lower part of the city becoming the centre of business, the Old Capitol was abandoned by its lodgers, and rapidly sunk to decay; some of the lower class occasionally renting apartments, but never remaining any length of time. At the commencement of the war, its only tenant was an humble German, who managed to subsist himself and family, as a cobbler, and who was not at all displeased at the sudden termination of his lease by the military authorities. Iron bars were placed in the windows, the doors of the several apartments were strengthened, and the building soon became notorious as a prison for military offenders, prisoners of state and captured rebels. Many prominent Confederate Generals have been confined in it, and scores of citizens engaged in disloyal practices, suddenly found their plans frustrated, and themselves on their way to its cells before they could give a word of warning to associates. Captain Wirz, the Andersonville prison-keeper, was imprisoned here, and expiated his crimes upon the gallows in its yard, as had numbers of offenders before him.
When occupied by prisoners, its windows were generally crowded by its inmates, and passers by were not allowed to stop at any time on the opposite side of the street, lest they should attempt to communicate, by signs, with those within the prison. The regulations required that all correspondence and reading matter, as well as food for the prisoners should be closely scrutinized, so as to prevent any improper communication or aid from the outside. Among the plans for conveying money and messages from external sources, was that of secreting in packages of smoking tobacco the object to be transmitted. This, however, was early detected, and afterwards was never attempted with success. Underscoring words in books, at long intervals, so that when taken together they would embody a sentence, was not unusual with the prisoners when about to return to their friends volumes that had been loaned them for perusal. The latter occasioned considerable labor to the officers of the prison, every book going to or from the inmates being carefully examined, not only for messages of this kind, but for communications that might be concealed between leaves pasted together. The prisoners attempted to tunnel out several times, but never with success. A few escaped from the windows, but most of them who undertook it were discovered and recaptured. One young man fixed a spring-board in an upper window, and attempted to jump out into the street, but broke his leg, and by his signal failure discouraged any other efforts to escape in this manner. A strong guard was always kept in the passages of the prison as well as on the streets surrounding it, and during the last two years of the war, none ever succeeded in eluding the vigilance of their keepers.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Gardner, Alexander
ID Number
1986.0711.0283.40
accession number
1986.0711
catalog number
1986.0711.0283.40
Text and photograph from Gardner's Photographic Sketchbook of the War, Vol. II. Negative by Timothy H. O'Sullivan, text and positive by Alexander Gardner.On the evening of the 7th of April, 1865, General Grant first forwarded, under a flag of truce, a letter to Gen.
Description
Text and photograph from Gardner's Photographic Sketchbook of the War, Vol. II. Negative by Timothy H. O'Sullivan, text and positive by Alexander Gardner.
On the evening of the 7th of April, 1865, General Grant first forwarded, under a flag of truce, a letter to Gen. Lee, demanding the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia, in order to avoid the further effusion of blood. That army had re-crossed the Appomattox river at High Bridge and Farmville, closely pressed by Sheridan's cavalry and the Armies of the Potomac and James. On the 8th, some correspondence passed between the two Commanding Generals, the one army retreating towards Lynchburg, followed by the Second and Sixth Corps, whilst the cavalry and the Fifth and Twenty-Fourth Corps made forced marches in order to pass around and gain the front of the enemy. About noon on the 9th, the head of the Second Corps, when within three miles of Appomattox Court-House, came up with the rear guard of the enemy; and at the same time, Gen. Lee, in person, appeared with a flag of truce, and, by letter, asked for a suspension of hostilities, pending negotiations for a surrender. About four o'clock in the afternoon of that eventful Sunday, the glad tidings was announced throughout the Union Armies that the Army of Northern Virginia had surrendered. The excitement among our troops was unparalleled, officers and men uniting in the most extravagant demonstrations of joy. The photograph represents the house in which the terms of capitulation between Generals Grant and Lee were signed. The apple tree (about half a mile from the Court-House) under which they first met, has been entirely carried away in pieces, as mementoes, not even the roots remaining.
It is a singular fact that the owner of this house, Mr. McLean, was living on the first Bull Run battle-field at the time of that engagement, and afterwards removed to this place for the purpose of being secure from the visitation of an army.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1865-04
maker
Gardner, Alexander
ID Number
1986.0711.0283.49
accession number
1986.0711
catalog number
1986.0711.0283.49
Text and photograph from Gardner's Photographic Sketchbook of the War, Vol. II. Negative by Alexander Gardner, text and positive by Alexander Gardner.The Old Tobacco Warehouse is too well known to need much description.
Description
Text and photograph from Gardner's Photographic Sketchbook of the War, Vol. II. Negative by Alexander Gardner, text and positive by Alexander Gardner.
The Old Tobacco Warehouse is too well known to need much description. This view was taken after the time was passed when Union officers and men looked wearily through the tiara at the monotonous flow of the James, and wondered how much longer they could endure without going mad; or peeping out into the street at the risk of being fired at by some sentry, watched the relief on its rounds, or the arrival of more prisoners to swell the already overcrowded numbers in durance. The Union flag floats upon the building, and the tables are turned. Rebel prisoners occupy the floors, so lately filled by Northern soldiers, with permission to kick up their heels to their hearts' content. There is a little crowd around the door at the corner, formed of destitute persona seeking relief. It was in this office the Union prisoners were received by the prison-keepers, and coolly dispoiled of any little trifles left about their persona, by their captors. The lower windows on the end of the building, light some of the small cells in the foundation, where officers were placed for punishment. It was here that Captains Flynn and Sawyer were confined, pending the retaliatory execution, to which they were condemned by the rebel authorities, and fortunately prevented by the prompt measures adopted by our Government. When Turner – brother of the notorious Dick – gave himself up, to escape vengeance at the hands of the soldiers, he was deposited in one of these places, that he might have a chance to appreciate the misery of some of those he had so ruthlessly confined there. This view of the Libby is taken from Castle Thunder, a warehouse of the same order of architecture.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1865-04
maker
Gardner, Alexander
ID Number
1986.0711.0283.39
accession number
1986.0711
catalog number
1986.0711.0283.39
Text and photograph from Gardner's Photographic Sketchbook of the War, Vol. II. Negative by Timothy H.
Description
Text and photograph from Gardner's Photographic Sketchbook of the War, Vol. II. Negative by Timothy H. O'Sullivan, text and positive by Alexander Gardner.
The Village of Fairfax Court-House, Virginia, eighteen miles from Washington, was, previous to the rebellion, one of the loveliest of the State. Numbering about three thousand inhabitants, with three large hotels, two fine churches, and a flourishing female institute, the place had become of considerable importance at the time of secession, from which it was the first to suffer. Each of the many commands which occupied the town during the war added to the work of devastation commenced in 1861, and long before peace was announced its comeliness had departed. Its best houses were burned, the churches were converted into hospitals, and then into stables, while the venerable Court-House was stripped of its wood-work, leaving only the naked walls and roof. In 1864, loop-holes were cut through the sides of the building for riflemen and troops stationed in it to repel any attack that might be made by guerillas who constantly hovered in the vicinity. The records kept here were of great historical interest, dating from the early settlement of Virginia, and including many documents in the writing of General Washington. A great number of these were carried off by curiosity hunters in the sacking which took place in September, 1862, and a still greater number were ruthlessly destroyed by the soldiery. Generals McClellan and Hooker each temporarily had their headquarters here when in command of the Army of the Potomac, as did also the lamented Sumner, and other officers of equal rank. The battle-field of Bull Run is ten miles distant, and Chantilly, where the gallant Kearney and Stephens fell, but five miles away.
The village is now, however, rapidly recovering from its misfortunes. Shattered houses have been repaired, families are returning to their homes, the Court-House is being put in order for the occupation of the courts, and, under the influence of Northern enterprise, the town promises soon to wear even more beauty than it ever knew before.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1863-06
maker
Gardner, Alexander
ID Number
1986.0711.0334.03
accession number
1986.0711
catalog number
1986.0711.0334.03
Text and photograph from Gardner's Photographic Sketchbook of the War, Vol. II. Negative by Timothy H.
Description
Text and photograph from Gardner's Photographic Sketchbook of the War, Vol. II. Negative by Timothy H. O'Sullivan, text and positive by Alexander Gardner.
This place is the county seat of Charles City County, about twenty-five miles southeast from Richmond, and is a fair specimen of many Virginia Court-Houses. This neighborhood was the scene of a number of severe cavalry fights during the war, the Court-House, in 1862, being only three miles from the intrenched camp of Gen. McClellan, whose army marched past the village in its retreat from before Richmond to Fortress Monroe. Gen. Meade's army, in 1864, again occupied this section, and passed over its roads from Coal Harbor to Petersburg, when the building was sacked by the troops, and many of the records were destroyed. There were but two or three dwellings and a church composing the village, and a stranger might pass through the place without dreaming that it possessed a name. Its history dates from the early settlement of Virginia, and the cemeteries round about it contain the names of those who passed away one hundred years ago.
The return of peace has here failed to quicken the people, and everything is rapidly sinking to decay. The aristocratic families, impoverished by the war, and deprived of the labor of their slaves, barely manage to live, and the whole country along the James is rapidly becoming overgrown with scrub timber and chaparral.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1864-06
maker
Gardner, Alexander
ID Number
1986.0711.0283.18
accession number
1986.0711
catalog number
1986.0711.0283.18
Mary Lincoln's gold evening purse, 1863. Her name and the year were engraved inside the ring.Gift of Lincoln Isham, great-grandson of Abraham Lincoln, 1958
Description
Mary Lincoln's gold evening purse, 1863. Her name and the year were engraved inside the ring.
Gift of Lincoln Isham, great-grandson of Abraham Lincoln, 1958
date made
1863
associated date
1863
associated person
Lincoln, Mary Todd
ID Number
PL.278039.02
catalog number
278039.02
accession number
278039
This presidential campaign medal 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.
Description (Brief)
This presidential campaign medal 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 is an important example of early American industrial manufacturing that adapted armory machines to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and campaign badges.
Obverse: Profile image of Stephen Douglas facing left. Legend reads: DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE Stephen A. Douglas / 1860.
Reverse: An image of an eagle with shield, clutching arrows and an olive branch in its talons. Legend reads: LIBERTY UNION AND EQUALITY.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1860
depicted
Douglas, Stephen A.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1225
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1225
This presidential campaign badge was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1868. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This presidential campaign badge was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1868. 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: Tintype photograph of both Ulysses S. Grant and Schuyler Colfax, labeled “GRANT and COLFAX.” The photograph is set into a bronze circular frame that has an orange background.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1868
depicted
Grant, Ulysses S.
Colfax, Schuyler
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1169
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1169
This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1868. 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 1868. 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. This medal has been somewhat defaced.
Obverse: Bust of Ulysses S. Grant facing left. The legend reads: LIEUT. GEN. U. S. GRANT.
Reverse: Bust of Washington with four flags and spears behind him. Legend reads: THE UNION MUST AND SHALL BE PRESERVED.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1868
depicted
Grant, Ulysses S.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1119
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1119
This commemorative medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1863. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This commemorative medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1863. 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 commemorative medals.
Obverse: Bust of Abraham facing right. The legend reads: SALVATOR PATRIAE.
Reverse: Rimmed with laurel branches, and a central legend that reads: IN MEMORY OF THE LIFE ACTS AND DEATH OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN/ BORN FEBRUARY 12 1809 DIED APRIL 15 1865.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1863
depicted
Lincoln, Abraham
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1204
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1204
This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1864. 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 1864. 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: Bust of Abraham Lincoln facing right. legend reads: ABRAHAM LINCOLN/ IN GOD WE TRUST/ 25.
Reverse: Image of an eagle with shield, clutching arrows and an olive branch in its talons. The legend reads: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA/ FOREVER INSEPERABLE 1864.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1864
depicted
Lincoln, Abraham
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1109
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1109
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.
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 campaign medals. The Republican Party depicted Lincoln as a rugged frontiersman, and used this motto to do so.
Obverse: Bust of Abraham Lincoln facing right. Legend: HON. ABRAHAM LINCOLN, 1860.
Reverse: Two men splitting rails, log cabin in the background. The legend reads: THE RAIL SPLITTER OF THE WEST.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1860
depicted
Lincoln, Abraham
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1141
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1141
This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1868. 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 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.
Obverse: Bust of Ulysses S. Grant facing right. Legend reads: GENERAL U. S. GRANT.
Reverse: Legend reads: GENERAL U. S. GRANT REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT 1868.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1868
depicted
Grant, Ulysses S.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1078
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1078
This badge was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1864. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This badge was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1864. 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. This badge has a hole in the rim indicating it was worn.
Obverse: Labeled photograph of George B. McClellan. The rim is inscribed: THE CONSTITUTION AS IT IS 1864.
Reverse: Labeled photograph of George Pendleton. Stars around the rim. Legend reads: PAT. APR 2, 1861.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1864
depicted
McClellan, George B.
Pendleton, George Hunt
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1129
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1129
This medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1860. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut 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 medals.
Obverse: Bust of John C. Breckinridge facing left. Legend reads: FOR PRESIDENT JOHN C. BRECKINRIDGE OF KY.
Reverse: Image of the White House, with the legend: PRESIDENTS HOUSE.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1860
depicted
Breckinridge, John C.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1124
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1124
This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1868. 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 1868. 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 of Ulysses S. Grant facing left. The legend reads: GENERAL U. S. GRANT.
Reverse: A legend that reads: THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE IS THE LAW OF THE LAND.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1868
depicted
Grant, Ulysses S.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1087
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1087
This presidential campaign badge was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1868. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This presidential campaign badge was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut 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.
Obverse: Tintype photograph of Ulysses Grant and Schuyler Colfax set into a frame. Frame has image of United States shield, two flags crossed, and a spread winged eagle.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1868
depicted
Grant, Ulysses S.
Colfax, Schuyler
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1258
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1258
This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1860. 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 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 campaign medals. This medal reads “Merriam,” for mid-19th century Boston die caster Joseph H. Merriam.
Obverse: Bust of Stephen A. Douglas facing left. Legend reads: STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS/ BORN APRIL 23, 1813.
Reverse: Two laurel branches with bow at bottom. Legend reads: DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE/ UNION AND EQUALITY 1860.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1860
depicted
Douglas, Stephen A.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1118
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1118
This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1864.
Description (Brief)
This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1864. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods.
Obverse: Labeled busts of Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson facing each other. Busts are surrounded by four flags, a shield on the bottom reads “War for the Union,” a eagle is perched at the top with a scroll that reads “FREEDOM TO ALL MEN.”
Reverse: REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES 1864/ FOR PRESIDENT/ ABRAHAM LINCOLN OF ILLINOIS/ FOR VICE PRESIDENT/ ANDREW JOHNSON OF TENNESSEE.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1864
depicted
Lincoln, Abraham
Johnson, Andrew
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1297
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1297
This presidential campaign medal 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.
Description (Brief)
This presidential campaign medal 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 medals.
Obverse: Bust of Abraham Lincoln facing right. The legend reads: ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
Reverse: Crossed rails in the center. The legend reads: THE PEOPLES CHOICE 1860/ LINCOLN & HAMLIN/ FREEDOM & PROTECTION.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1860
depicted
Lincoln, Abraham
referenced
Hamlin, Hannibal
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1613
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1613
This campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1868. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1868. 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: Busts of Horatio Seymour and Francis P. Blair, Jr. facing left. The legend reads: SEYMOUR & BLAIR 1868.
Reverse: The rim has a wreath around it, the legend reads: GENERAL AMNESTY, UNIFORM CURRENCY, EQUAL TAXES & EQUAL RIGHTS.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1868
depicted
Seymour, Horatio
Blair, Jr., Francis P.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1147
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1147
This presidential campaign badge was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company around 1868.The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
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 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.
This badge has a tintype photograph of both Ulysses Grant and Schuyler Colfax that is labeled above their heads, “GRANT and COLFAX.” The photo is set into a circular frame with a pink background, and the frame is set into a six-sided star.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1868
depicted
Grant, Ulysses S.
Colfax, Schuyler
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1179
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1179
This medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1860. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut 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 medals.
Obverse: Bust of Abraham Lincoln facing right. The legend reads: HON: ABRAM LINCOLN 1860.
Reverse: Legend around rim reads: LINCOLN & HAMLIN FREEDOM & PROTECTION. Center legend reads: THE MAN THAT CAN SPLIT RAILS OR GUIDE THE SHIP OF STATE.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1860
depicted
Lincoln, Abraham
referenced
Hamlin, Hannibal
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1123
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1123
This campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1869. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1869. 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: Busts of Ulysses Grant and Schuyler Colfax facing right. The legend reads: U.S. GRANT S. COLFAX. The bust is signed: EMIL SIGEL FT.
Reverse: Legend reads: NATIONAL UNION REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES 1869-1873/FOR PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1869
depicted
Grant, Ulysses S.
Colfax, Schuyler
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1143
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1143

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