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
Congress of Racial Equality
Freedom Riders
ID Number
1988.0231.02
catalog number
1988.0231.02
accession number
1988.0231
A poster protesting Jim Crow laws that mandated segregation in public schools, public transportation, and public places such as bathrooms and restaurants.
Description
A poster protesting Jim Crow laws that mandated segregation in public schools, public transportation, and public places such as bathrooms and restaurants. Jim Crow laws were established in the Southern United States in the late 19th century and continuted until the mid 1960s.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1988.0268.03
catalog number
1988.0268.03
accession number
1988.0268
Button supporting the creation of a federal holiday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Description
Button supporting the creation of a federal holiday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
date made
1970s-1980s
referenced
King, Jr., Martin Luther
ID Number
1986.0666.354
accession number
1986.0666
catalog number
1986.0666.354
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1986.1035.106
catalog number
1986.1035.106
accession number
1986.1035
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1984
associated date
1984
ID Number
1985.0133.01
accession number
1985.0133
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
associated date
1963 08 28
ID Number
PL.251855.03
catalog number
251855.03
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
associated date
1963 08 28
ID Number
PL.251855.04c
catalog number
251855.04
accession number
251855
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1963-1964
related
Congress of Racial Equality
ID Number
PL.259949.15
catalog number
259949.15
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
associated date
1963 08 28
ID Number
PL.251855.02c
catalog number
251855.02c
associated date
1867
referenced
Democratic Party
ID Number
PL.305360.01
catalog number
305360.01
accession number
305360
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
associated date
1963 08 28
ID Number
PL.251855.04b
catalog number
251855.04b
accession number
251855
An 1845 slave bill of sale from Cumberland County, Kentucky.Currently not on view
Description
An 1845 slave bill of sale from Cumberland County, Kentucky.
Location
Currently not on view
associated date
1845 01 23
ID Number
PL.293884.04
catalog number
293884.04
In the summer of 1862, Lincoln drafted an executive order on slavery.
Description
In the summer of 1862, Lincoln drafted an executive order on slavery. Published in September, it declared that, as of January 1, 1863, all persons held in slavery in areas still in rebellion would be “then, thenceforward, and forever free.” Although the Emancipation Proclamation did not directly free any enslaved people in Union-controlled areas, it was widely understood that a Union victory would mean the end of slavery.
This paper banner celebrates the issuing of the Emancipation Proclamation.
Gift of Dr. Clara S. Ludlow, 1911
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1863
associated person
Lincoln, Abraham
ID Number
PL.012132
catalog number
12132
accession number
52752
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1963
associated date
1963-08-28
ID Number
PL.250459.01
catalog number
250459.01
accession number
250459
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1963-1964
associated date
1963?
related
Congress of Racial Equality
ID Number
PL.259949.13
catalog number
259949.13
In the summer of 1862, Lincoln drafted an executive order on slavery.
Description
In the summer of 1862, Lincoln drafted an executive order on slavery. Published in September, it declared that, as of January 1, 1863, all persons held in slavery in areas still in rebellion would be “then, thenceforward, and forever free.” Although the Emancipation Proclamation did not directly free any enslaved people in Union-controlled areas, it was widely understood that a Union victory would mean the end of slavery.
Publishers throughout the North printed decorative copies of the Emancipation Proclamation after its enactment. R. A. Dimmick published this engraving in 1864.
Gift of Ralph E. Becker, 1959
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1864
associated date
1863
associated person
Lincoln, Abraham
maker
R. A. Dimmick
ID Number
PL.227739.1863.F03
catalog number
227739.1863.F03
accession number
274861
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1963-1964
associated date
1963?
related
Congress of Racial Equality
ID Number
PL.259949.12
catalog number
259949.12
The March on Washington, August 28, 1963, was the largest civil rights demonstration the nation had ever witnessed.
Description
The March on Washington, August 28, 1963, was the largest civil rights demonstration the nation had ever witnessed. One hundred years after the Emancipation Proclamation, 250,000 Americans of all races gathered to petition the government to pass meaningful civil rights legislation and enforce existing laws establishing racial equality. The March for Jobs and Freedom was conceived by A. Philip Randolph, leader of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, coordinated by Bayard Rustin, and supported by almost all the major civil rights organizations and many labor unions and religious organizations. Its speakers included Randolph, John Lewis, James Farmer, Walter Reuther, and Martin Luther King Jr., whose "I Have a Dream" speech invoked the hopes of all Americans seeking racial justice.
This handbill was donated in 1964 by Rev. Walter Fauntroy, a principle organizer and chairman of the Washington, D.C., coordinating committee. It is one of many items in the Museum's civil rights collection that helps document and preserve this pivotal event in American history.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1963
associated date
1963 08 28
speaker
King, Jr., Martin Luther
organizer
Randolph, A. Philip
coordinator
Rustin, Bayard
speaker
Lewis, John
Farmer, James
Reuther, Walter
organizer
Fauntroy, Walter
related organization
Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters
ID Number
PL.251855.04a
catalog number
251855.04a
accession number
251855
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
associated date
1963 08 28
associated
King, Jr., Martin Luther
Randolph, A. Philip
Wilkins, Roy
ID Number
PL.251855.01
catalog number
251855.01
accession number
251855
A handmade poster supporting CORE. The Congress of Racial Equality was founded in 1942, comprised of 50 original members, men and women, black and white.
Description
A handmade poster supporting CORE. The Congress of Racial Equality was 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
date made
ca 1963-1964
referenced
Congress of Racial Equality
ID Number
PL.259949.10
catalog number
259949.10
August 28, 1963, was a day of speeches, songs, prayers, and protest on the National Mall.
Description
August 28, 1963, was a day of speeches, songs, prayers, and protest on the National Mall. Organized by civil rights activists and supported by labor unions and religious organizations an estimated 250,000 people gathered together to petition for racial equality.
This program lists the speakers and order of events at the Lincoln Memorial on that memorable day.
Gift of Walter Fauntroy
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1963
associated date
1963 08 28
referenced
King, Jr., Martin Luther
Wilkins, Roy
Fauntroy, Walter
Lewis, John
ID Number
PL.251855.02a
catalog number
251855.02a
accession number
251855
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.Currently not on view
Description
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
date made
ca 1963-1964
associated date
1963?
referenced
Congress of Racial Equality
ID Number
PL.259949.18
catalog number
259949.18
Julius Pratt and Company presented John Quincy Adams with this ivory cane made from a single elephant tusk in recognition of his leadership against the Gag Rule. The cane was decorated with a gold-inlaid eagle holding a petition.
Description
Julius Pratt and Company presented John Quincy Adams with this ivory cane made from a single elephant tusk in recognition of his leadership against the Gag Rule. The cane was decorated with a gold-inlaid eagle holding a petition. On the band below the knob is inscribed “justum et tenacem propositi virum” (a man just and firm of purpose). When the rule was defeated on December 3, 1844, the date was added to the eagle’s wings.
Date made
1844
associated person
Powell, Jay
Adams, John Quincy
ID Number
PL.016155
catalog number
16155
accession number
13152
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1963
associated date
1963 08 28
ID Number
PL.251855.05b
catalog number
251855.05b
accession number
251855

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