Government, Politics, and Reform

March on Washington Handbill

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.

Date: 1950s

Campaign Pin, "I'm for Humphrey"

date made
1956
referenced
Humphrey, Hubert H.
ID Number
PL.227739.1956.X57
accession number
227739
catalog number
227739.1956.X57

Dwight D. Eisenhower

A Nickolas Muray 3-color carbro head and shoulders portrait of Dwight D. Eisenhower ca. 1952. One in a series of inagural photographs of Eisenhower, he is seated in front of an American flag.Recto: Signed and dated by artist in lower left (pencil). Verso: Muray label.
Description (Brief)
A Nickolas Muray 3-color carbro head and shoulders portrait of Dwight D. Eisenhower ca. 1952. One in a series of inagural photographs of Eisenhower, he is seated in front of an American flag.
Recto: Signed and dated by artist in lower left (pencil). Verso: Muray label. "D.D.Eisenhower" (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
ca 1952
depicted
Eisenhower, Dwight D.
maker
Muray, Nickolas
ID Number
PG.69.247.21
catalog number
69.247.21
accession number
287542

Pin, Adlai Stevenson, 1950s

By the 1950s, women comprised half of the voting electorate. To encourage their participation, campaigns produced inexpensive costume jewelry such as this pin promoting Democratic presidential candidate Adlai Stevenson.
Description
By the 1950s, women comprised half of the voting electorate. To encourage their participation, campaigns produced inexpensive costume jewelry such as this pin promoting Democratic presidential candidate Adlai Stevenson. Stevenson lost to his Republican opponent Dwight Eisenhower in 1952 and again in 1956.
referenced
Stevenson, Adlai
ID Number
1986.1040.803
catalog number
1986.1040.803
accession number
1986.1040

Button, Dwight Eisenhower, 1950s

Republicans Dwight “Ike” Eisenhower and Richard “Dick” Nixon were first elected president and vice president in 1952, defeating their Democratic opponents Adlai Stevenson and John Sparkman.
Description
Republicans Dwight “Ike” Eisenhower and Richard “Dick” Nixon were first elected president and vice president in 1952, defeating their Democratic opponents Adlai Stevenson and John Sparkman. When “Ike and Dick” ran for re-election in 1956, the Republican Platform promoted their ticket as very youth friendly: “As the Party of the Young and in glowing appreciation of his dynamic leadership and inspiration, we respectfully dedicate this Platform of the Party of the Future to our distinguished President Dwight D. Eisenhower, and to the Youth of America.” Teenagers not yet old enough to vote expressed their support by forming Junior Clubs. The Republicans once again defeated Stevenson, this time running with Estes Kefauver.
ID Number
PL.226888.056
accession number
226888
catalog number
226888.056

Life Magazine, U.S. Labor, Rich and United

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1955
depicted
Meany, George
Reuther, Walter
Beck, Dave
referenced
AFL-CIO
maker
Time
ID Number
2004.0161.02
accession number
2004.0161
catalog number
2004.0161.02

Campaign Pamphlet, 1952

By the late 19th century, symbols of home and family life had become mainstays of American political culture. The home became a setting in which the policies of the major parties and their presidential candidates played out.
Description
By the late 19th century, symbols of home and family life had become mainstays of American political culture. The home became a setting in which the policies of the major parties and their presidential candidates played out. This pamphlet from Eisenhower’s 1952 presidential campaign suggests that voting for Eisenhower will “sweep out the mess” of government.
date made
1952
referenced
Nixon, Richard M.
Eisenhower, Dwight D.
ID Number
PL.315264.1000
catalog number
315264.1000
accession number
315264

Campaign Button Sample, 1956

Date made
ca 1952
maker
Green Duck Metal Stamping Company
ID Number
1984.1081.291
accession number
1984.1081
catalog number
1984.1081.291

Campaign Leaflet, 1952

By the late 19th century, symbols of home and family life had become mainstays of American political culture. The home became a setting in which the policies of the major parties and their presidential candidates played out.
Description
By the late 19th century, symbols of home and family life had become mainstays of American political culture. The home became a setting in which the policies of the major parties and their presidential candidates played out. This leaflet from Eisenhower’s 1952 presidential campaign suggests that voting for Eisenhower will clean out the “mess” of government.
date made
1952
associated person
Eisenhower, Dwight D.
Nixon, Richard M.
ID Number
PL.285783.128
accession number
285783
catalog number
285783.128

Campaign Button Sample, 1956

Date made
ca 1952
maker
Green Duck Metal Stamping Company
ID Number
1984.1081.297
accession number
1984.1081
catalog number
1984.1081.297

Campaign Button Sample, 1956

Date made
ca 1952
maker
Green Duck Metal Stamping Company
ID Number
1984.1081.296
accession number
1984.1081
catalog number
1984.1081.296

Attention All Kefauver Supporters

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1952
Associated Name
Kefauver, Estes
ID Number
PL.285783.220
accession number
285783
catalog number
285783.220

Campaign Button Sample, 1956

Date made
ca 1952
maker
Green Duck Metal Stamping Company
ID Number
1984.1081.289
accession number
1984.1081
catalog number
1984.1081.289

Tag, "Bound for the Democratic Convention"

Democratic and Republican Party leaders would never have chosen the animals that Thomas Nast did to popularize their policies and ideas. The parties typically adopted national symbols, such as the eagle and the flag.
Description
Democratic and Republican Party leaders would never have chosen the animals that Thomas Nast did to popularize their policies and ideas. The parties typically adopted national symbols, such as the eagle and the flag. After 1840 the Democratic Party often represented itself as a rooster. Such symbols contended, unsuccessfully, with the popularity of donkeys and elephants into the 20th century.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1956
referenced
Democratic National Convention
ID Number
2004.0180.124
accession number
2004.0180
catalog number
2004.0180.124

Postcard, Richard Nixon, 1052

In 1952, Republican vice-presidential candidate Richard Nixon was challenged over his use of campaign funds. On September 23, Nixon delivered a television to address the accusations.
Description
In 1952, Republican vice-presidential candidate Richard Nixon was challenged over his use of campaign funds. On September 23, Nixon delivered a television to address the accusations. An avalanche of supportive mail followed and, in turn, a grateful campaign mailed each respondent a thank-you postcard. The mass-mailed postcard had a photo of Nixon, his wife Pat, and their daughters Julie and Tricia as well as a "personalized" note. The speech came to be known as the "Checkers Speech" after a dog that had been sent to the Nixon daughters during the campaign. In the speech, Nixon said they were going to keep the dog.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1952
depicted
Nixon, Patricia
Nixon, Richard M.
Cox, Tricia Nixon
Eisenhower, Julie Nixon
ID Number
2007.0159.02
accession number
2007.0159
catalog number
2007.0159.02

Brown v. Board Slip Opinion, 1953

Though not guaranteed by the Constitution, Americans have largely agreed that an educated citizenry is a requirement for a healthy democracy. The more controversial question was: should it and can it be equal and open to all?On May 17, 1954, the U.S.
Description
Though not guaranteed by the Constitution, Americans have largely agreed that an educated citizenry is a requirement for a healthy democracy. The more controversial question was: should it and can it be equal and open to all?
On May 17, 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled that public schools segregated by race were unconstitutional, stating “in the field of public education the doctrine of ‘separate but equal’ has no place.” Through their decision, the Court entered into the ongoing debate of whether education should be a right of every citizen.
associated date
1953 10
ID Number
ZZ.RSN81680Y06
accession number
2015.0200
catalog number
2015.0200.002

Campaign Button Sample, 1956

Date made
ca 1952
maker
Green Duck Metal Stamping Company
ID Number
1984.1081.295
accession number
1984.1081
catalog number
1984.1081.295

Doll, Dwight Eisenhower, 1956

President Dwight Eisenhower ran for re-election on the Republican ticket in 1956 and defeated his Democratic opponent Adlai Stevenson for the second time.
Description
President Dwight Eisenhower ran for re-election on the Republican ticket in 1956 and defeated his Democratic opponent Adlai Stevenson for the second time. This whimsical version of his party’s symbol may have been designed to reflect the youth-friendly Republican Platform: “As the Party of the Young and in glowing appreciation of his dynamic leadership and inspiration, we respectfully dedicate this Platform of the Party of the Future to our distinguished President Dwight D. Eisenhower, and to the Youth of America.”
associated date
1956
associated institution
Republican National Party
associated person
Eisenhower, Dwight D.
ID Number
PL.227739.1956.X59
catalog number
227739.1956.X59
accession number
227739

Tie clip, Adlai Stevenson, 1950s

Lenticular or “flasher” buttons that can be shifted to change images between designs were first used in the 1952 presidential campaign.
Description
Lenticular or “flasher” buttons that can be shifted to change images between designs were first used in the 1952 presidential campaign. The lenticular attachment on this tie clip alternates between the slogan “Vote Adlai” and a picture of Adlai Stevenson, the Democratic nominee for president in 1952 and 1956. In both elections, Stevenson was defeated by the Republican candidate Dwight Eisenhower.
depicted
Stevenson, Adlai
ID Number
1993.0141.11
catalog number
1993.0141.11
accession number
1993.0141

Fallout Protection, What To Know and Do About Nuclear Attack

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1961
referenced
McNamara, Robert S.
maker
U.S. Government Printing Office
ID Number
2005.0079.157
accession number
2005.0079
catalog number
2005.0079.157

Candidate's Primer, 1952

By the early 1950s political parties acquainted candidates with the importance of their television appearances and how to conduct themselves on the new medium, as this 1952 primer promised to do.
Description
By the early 1950s political parties acquainted candidates with the importance of their television appearances and how to conduct themselves on the new medium, as this 1952 primer promised to do.
associated date
1952
distributor
Republican National Committee
ID Number
PL.227739.1952.K040
catalog number
227739.1952.K040
accession number
227739

Governor Thomas E. Dewey being sworn into office

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1950-12-31
depicted (sitter)
Dewey, Thomas E.
maker
Associated Press
ID Number
2013.0327.0776
accession number
2013.0327
catalog number
2013.0327.0776

Campaign Button Sample, 1956

Date made
ca 1952
maker
Green Duck Metal Stamping Company
ID Number
1984.1081.290
accession number
1984.1081
catalog number
1984.1081.290

Campaign Button Sample, 1956

Sample card of metal buttons created by the Green Duck Company around 1956.
Description
Sample card of metal buttons created by the Green Duck Company around 1956.
Date made
ca 1952
maker
Green Duck Metal Stamping Company
ID Number
1984.1081.288
accession number
1984.1081
catalog number
1984.1081.288

Postcard, Richard Nixon, 1952

In 1952, Republican vice-presidential candidate Richard Nixon was challenged over his use of campaign funds. On September 23, Nixon delivered a television to address the accusations.
Description
In 1952, Republican vice-presidential candidate Richard Nixon was challenged over his use of campaign funds. On September 23, Nixon delivered a television to address the accusations. An avalanche of supportive mail followed and, in turn, a grateful campaign mailed each respondent a thank-you postcard. The mass-mailed postcard had a photo of Nixon, his wife Pat, and their daughters Julie and Tricia as well as a "personalized" note. The speech came to be known as the "Checkers Speech" after a dog that had been sent to the Nixon daughters during the campaign. In the speech, Nixon said they were going to keep the dog.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1952
depicted
Nixon, Patricia
Nixon, Richard M.
Cox, Tricia Nixon
Eisenhower, Julie Nixon
ID Number
2007.0159.01
catalog number
2007.0159.01
accession number
2007.0159

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