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.

This gold pin with an image of Abraham Lincoln was among Mary Lincoln’s possessions when she died.Mary Lincoln never overcame the tragedies she endured. She came out of mourning on only one occasion, at the request of her son Tad for one of his birthdays.
Description
This gold pin with an image of Abraham Lincoln was among Mary Lincoln’s possessions when she died.
Mary Lincoln never overcame the tragedies she endured. She came out of mourning on only one occasion, at the request of her son Tad for one of his birthdays. The two were almost inseparable until his death, possibly from tuberculosis, in 1871 at age 18. In 1882, at age 63, Mary died in Springfield, Illinois, at the home of her sister.
Gift of Lincoln Isham, great-grandson of Abraham Lincoln, 1958
Location
Currently not on view
associated person
Lincoln, Mary Todd
depicted (sitter)
Lincoln, Abraham
ID Number
PL.219098.06
catalog number
219098.06
accession number
219098
This presidential campaign pin was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1888. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This presidential campaign pin was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1888. 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 pin has a head in the shape of a clover, and would have been worn. Each leaf is inscribed with a different word. The legend reads: RECIPROCATION PROTECTION OUR NATION’S PRIDE HARRISON.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1888
referenced
Harrison, Benjamin
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1196
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1196
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
Sash worn by supporters of woman suffrage.Sashes were worn for rallies, parades, and street speaking. The colors and the small button identify the wearer as a member of the Women’s Political Union.
Description
Sash worn by supporters of woman suffrage.
Sashes were worn for rallies, parades, and street speaking. The colors and the small button identify the wearer as a member of the Women’s Political Union. The WPU (formerly the Equality League of Self-Supporting Women) was formed by Harriot Stanton Blatch, daughter of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, to bring working class women into the suffrage movement. The WPU was responsible for holding the first large suffrage march in the United States (in New York in 1910).
"Votes for Women" was one of the most popular and recognizable slogans used by members of the woman’s suffrage movement.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1983.0455.011
accession number
1983.0455
catalog number
1983.0455.011
Women who participated in suffrage picketing received "Silent Sentinel" pins to honor their service.
Description
Women who participated in suffrage picketing received "Silent Sentinel" pins to honor their service. The small silver banners are engraved, "Without Extinction is Liberty." The reverse is engraved, "For service in the cause of the freedom of women Presented by the National Woman’s Party." The phrase "Without Extinction is Liberty" is drawn from a Walt Whitman poem, "By Blue Ontario’s Shore":
"Without extinction is Liberty, without retrograde is Equality,
They live in the feelings of young men and the best women,
(Not for nothing have the indomitable heads of the earth been
always ready to fall for Liberty.)"
In January 1917, discouraged by President Wilson’s continued opposition to the suffrage amendment, Alice Paul, the leader of the National Woman’s Party (NWP) posted pickets at the White House gates—the first people to ever picket the White House. These “silent sentinels” stayed on duty in all weather and in the face of threats, taunts, and physical violence. Using their banners and their quiet courage they asked, "Mr. President How Long Must Women Wait for their Liberty?" and "Mr. President What Will you do for Woman Suffrage?" Hoping to provoke a response, the language on the banners became more inflammatory. They used the president’s own words against him and pointed out the hypocrisy of his leading the country into the First World War to defend freedom while denying it to the women of his own country. Crowds who believed the pickets’ activities were disloyal in a time of war attacked the suffragists and destroyed their banners. In July the police began arresting the pickets for "obstruction of traffic." When they refused to pay fines they were imprisoned. When they went on hunger strikes to demand the rights of political prisoners they were forcibly fed—a painful and invasive procedure. The pickets continued despite the risk. Paul had endured such treatment while she was in England. Although she knew what lay ahead and that she, as the organizer of the picketing, would receive a harsher sentence, she insisted on taking her place on the picket line. She was arrested in October. While in jail she was forcibly fed and threatened with commitment to an insane asylum. Reports of the long sentences, abuse, and the courage of the suffragists became public and all prisoners were released in November.
presenter
National Woman's Party
associated person
Paul, Alice
ID Number
1987.0165.036
catalog number
1987.0165.036
accession number
1987.0165
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1986.1040.028
catalog number
1986.1040.028
accession number
1986.1040
Women who participated in suffrage picketing received "Silent Sentinel" pins to honor their service.
Description
Women who participated in suffrage picketing received "Silent Sentinel" pins to honor their service. The small silver banners are engraved, "Without Extinction is Liberty." The reverse is engraved, "For service in the cause of the freedom of women Presented by the National Woman’s Party." The phrase "Without Extinction is Liberty" is drawn from a Walt Whitman poem, "By Blue Ontario’s Shore":
"Without extinction is Liberty, without retrograde is Equality,
They live in the feelings of young men and the best women,
(Not for nothing have the indomitable heads of the earth been
always ready to fall for Liberty.)"
In January 1917, discouraged by President Wilson’s continued opposition to the suffrage amendment, Alice Paul, the leader of the National Woman’s Party (NWP) posted pickets at the White House gates—the first people to ever picket the White House. These “silent sentinels” stayed on duty in all weather and in the face of threats, taunts, and physical violence. Using their banners and their quiet courage they asked, "Mr. President How Long Must Women Wait for their Liberty?" and "Mr. President What Will you do for Woman Suffrage?" Hoping to provoke a response, the language on the banners became more inflammatory. They used the president’s own words against him and pointed out the hypocrisy of his leading the country into the First World War to defend freedom while denying it to the women of his own country. Crowds who believed the pickets’ activities were disloyal in a time of war attacked the suffragists and destroyed their banners. In July the police began arresting the pickets for "obstruction of traffic." When they refused to pay fines they were imprisoned. When they went on hunger strikes to demand the rights of political prisoners they were forcibly fed—a painful and invasive procedure. The pickets continued despite the risk. Paul had endured such treatment while she was in England. Although she knew what lay ahead and that she, as the organizer of the picketing, would receive a harsher sentence, she insisted on taking her place on the picket line. She was arrested in October. While in jail she was forcibly fed and threatened with commitment to an insane asylum. Reports of the long sentences, abuse, and the courage of the suffragists became public and all prisoners were released in November.
presenter
National Woman's Party
user
Paul, Alice
ID Number
1987.0165.038
catalog number
1987.0165.038
accession number
1987.0165
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1985.0106.042
accession number
1985.0106
catalog number
1985.0106.042
By her own account, temperance reformer Carry A. Nation used rocks, a sledgehammer borrowed from a blacksmith, and a bar room billiard ball to destroy five Kansas saloons—before she took up a hatchet to destroy a Wichita, Kansas, saloon on December 27, 1900.
Description
By her own account, temperance reformer Carry A. Nation used rocks, a sledgehammer borrowed from a blacksmith, and a bar room billiard ball to destroy five Kansas saloons—before she took up a hatchet to destroy a Wichita, Kansas, saloon on December 27, 1900. Saloons were illegal under Kansas state law, but tolerated by officials. Explaining her choice of weapon, Nation recalled that the state’s “liquor interests” had nothing to fear from the usual temperance advocates, “but they were not prepared for a furious woman and a hatchet.” Her saloon smashings became known as “hatchetations”—a play on words coined by the publicity-savvy Nation.
A Topeka, Kansas, druggist supplied Nation with little pewter hatchets to sell to cover her legal fines and travel expenses. Nation found that the public clamored for her hatchet souvenirs and readily grasped the meaning of them.
associated organization
Woman's Christian Temperance Union
ID Number
PL.160750
accession number
160750
catalog number
42424
Women who participated in suffrage picketing received "Silent Sentinel" pins to honor their service.
Description
Women who participated in suffrage picketing received "Silent Sentinel" pins to honor their service. The small silver banners are engraved, "Without Extinction is Liberty." The reverse is engraved, "For service in the cause of the freedom of women Presented by the National Woman’s Party." The phrase "Without Extinction is Liberty" is drawn from a Walt Whitman poem, "By Blue Ontario’s Shore":
"Without extinction is Liberty, without retrograde is Equality,
They live in the feelings of young men and the best women,
(Not for nothing have the indomitable heads of the earth been
always ready to fall for Liberty.)"
In January 1917, discouraged by President Wilson’s continued opposition to the suffrage amendment, Alice Paul, the leader of the National Woman’s Party (NWP) posted pickets at the White House gates—the first people to ever picket the White House. These “silent sentinels” stayed on duty in all weather and in the face of threats, taunts, and physical violence. Using their banners and their quiet courage they asked, "Mr. President How Long Must Women Wait for their Liberty?" and "Mr. President What Will you do for Woman Suffrage?" Hoping to provoke a response, the language on the banners became more inflammatory. They used the president’s own words against him and pointed out the hypocrisy of his leading the country into the First World War to defend freedom while denying it to the women of his own country. Crowds who believed the pickets’ activities were disloyal in a time of war attacked the suffragists and destroyed their banners. In July the police began arresting the pickets for "obstruction of traffic." When they refused to pay fines they were imprisoned. When they went on hunger strikes to demand the rights of political prisoners they were forcibly fed—a painful and invasive procedure. The pickets continued despite the risk. This pin was given to Amelia Himes Walker, a long time women’s rights activist. Walker was arrested on July 14, 1917 and served 60 days in the Occoquan Workhouse. Reports of the long sentences, abuse, and the courage of the suffragists became public and all prisoners were released in November.
associated institution
National Woman's Party
user
Walker, Amelia Himes
ID Number
PL.229385.02
catalog number
229385.02
accession number
229385
William McKinley’s 1896 presidential campaign offered many items featuring a “gold bug,” the nickname for supporters of the gold standard, a key tenet of the Republican platform. Democrats endorsed the silver standard and countered with “silver bug” objects.
Description
William McKinley’s 1896 presidential campaign offered many items featuring a “gold bug,” the nickname for supporters of the gold standard, a key tenet of the Republican platform. Democrats endorsed the silver standard and countered with “silver bug” objects. This Republican “bug,” more than three inches in height, was one of the largest of the many metal lapel pins produced for this election in which McKinley defeated his Democratic opponent William Jennings Bryan.
associated person
Bryan, William Jennings
ID Number
PL.233303.01
catalog number
233303.01
accession number
233303
In January 1917, discouraged by President Wilson’s continued opposition to the suffrage amendment, Alice Paul, the leader of the National Woman’s Party (NWP) posted pickets at the White House gates—the first people to ever picket the White House.
Description
In January 1917, discouraged by President Wilson’s continued opposition to the suffrage amendment, Alice Paul, the leader of the National Woman’s Party (NWP) posted pickets at the White House gates—the first people to ever picket the White House. These “silent sentinels” stayed on duty in all weather and in the face of threats, taunts, and physical violence. Using their banners and their quiet courage they asked, “Mr. President How Long Must Women Wait for their Liberty?” and “Mr. President What Will you do for Woman Suffrage?” Hoping to provoke a response, the language on the banners became more inflammatory. They used the president’s own words against him and pointed out the hypocrisy of his leading the country into the First World War to defend freedom while denying it to the women of his own country. Crowds who believed the pickets’ activities were disloyal in a time of war attacked the suffragists and destroyed their banners. In July the police began arresting the pickets for “obstruction of traffic.” When they refused to pay fines they were imprisoned. When they went on hunger strikes to demand the rights of political prisoners they were forcibly fed—a painful and invasive procedure. The pickets continued despite the risk. This pin was given to Amelia Himes Walker, a long time women’s rights activist. Walker was arrested on July 14, 1917 and served 60 days in the Occoquan Workhouse. Reports of the long sentences, abuse, and the courage of the suffragists became public and all prisoners were released in November.
In a December ceremony the imprisoned suffragists were awarded with small silver pins in the shape of prison doors with heart-shaped locks. The “jailed for freedom” pins were designed by Nina Allender.
The Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution enfranchising women was ratified in August 1920.
associated institution
National Woman's Party
associated person
Walker, Amelia Himes
ID Number
PL.229385.03
catalog number
229385.03
accession number
229385
Senator George McGovern of South Dakota was the unsuccessful Democratic nominee for president in 1972. He was defeated in a landslide by President Richard Nixon, a Republican, who was running for re-election.
Description
Senator George McGovern of South Dakota was the unsuccessful Democratic nominee for president in 1972. He was defeated in a landslide by President Richard Nixon, a Republican, who was running for re-election.
date made
1972
associated person
McGovern, George
associated institution
Democratic National Party
ID Number
PL.304814.012
catalog number
304814.012
accession number
304814
date made
1956
referenced
Humphrey, Hubert H.
ID Number
PL.227739.1956.X57
accession number
227739
catalog number
227739.1956.X57
Theodore Roosevelt assumed the presidency after the assassination of William McKinley in 1901. This leather pin was produced during his 1904 Republican campaign for election to a full term in his own right.
Description
Theodore Roosevelt assumed the presidency after the assassination of William McKinley in 1901. This leather pin was produced during his 1904 Republican campaign for election to a full term in his own right. It is modeled on the hat worn by the Rough Riders, the popular name given to the First U.S. Volunteer Calvary which fought in the Spanish-American War. Led by Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, the unit garnered more publicity than any other during the Cuban campaign. Republicans capitalized on his fame as a war hero and images of Roosevelt as a soldier appeared on many artifacts in his vice presidential and presidential campaigns. In 1904, he easily defeated both the Democratic nominee Alton Parker and the Socialist candidate Eugene V. Debs. This victory made Roosevelt the first person to win his own full term after ascending to the office upon the death of the previous president.
date made
1904
associated date
1904
associated person
Roosevelt, Theodore
ID Number
PL.308244.17
catalog number
308244.17
accession number
308244
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 broom-shaped pin is from Benjamin Harrison’s 1888 presidential campaign.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2015.0200.051
catalog number
2015.0200.051
accession number
2015.0200
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
wearer
Albright, Madeleine
ID Number
2012.0098.03
accession number
2012.0098
catalog number
2012.0098.03
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
wearer
Albright, Madeleine
ID Number
2012.0098.02
accession number
2012.0098
catalog number
2012.0098.02
Campaign badge for McKinley and Hobart during the 1896 election, sold by Whitehead & Hoag.
Description
Campaign badge for McKinley and Hobart during the 1896 election, sold by Whitehead & Hoag. Whitehead & Hoag sold to consumers through “jobbers” throughout the United States, who solicited orders for custom-made ribbon badges from lodges, societies, conventions, parades, and political organizations. Each ribbon came packaged with a piece of card stock in a reusable envelope.
ID Number
2015.0200.144
accession number
2015.0200
catalog number
2015.0200.144
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
2005
related
Disney
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts
maker
Walt Disney Company
ID Number
2019.0236.01
accession number
2019.0236
catalog number
2019.0236.01
Gerald Ford is the only individual to have served as both vice president and president without having been elected to either position.
Description
Gerald Ford is the only individual to have served as both vice president and president without having been elected to either position. After almost 25 years representing Michigan in the US House, Ford was selected as Richard Nixon’s vice president upon the resignation of Spiro Agnew in December 1973. Eight months later Ford became president following President Nixon’s own resignation. In 1976, President Ford ran for election to a full term in his own right but was defeated by his Democratic challenger, Governor Jimmy Carter of Georgia.
date made
1976
ID Number
2015.0200.115
catalog number
2015.0200.115
accession number
2015.0200
This interpretation of the logo first used in the 2008 presidential campaign of Democratic candidate Barack Obama was marketed as “fun rhinestone pins for serious times.” The logo combined a rising sun with the first letter of Obama’s name.
Description
This interpretation of the logo first used in the 2008 presidential campaign of Democratic candidate Barack Obama was marketed as “fun rhinestone pins for serious times.” The logo combined a rising sun with the first letter of Obama’s name. Obama defeated his Republican challenger John McCain to become the first African American president of the United States.
date made
2008
used date
2008
2009
referenced
Obama, Barack H.
Associated Name
Obama, Michelle
ID Number
2009.0044.05
catalog number
2009.0044.05
accession number
2009.0044
Senator John McCain of Arizona, the 2008 Republican nominee, was defeated by his Democratic opponent Senator Barack Obama of Illinois. This was the first time two sitting senators ran against each other for president.
Description
Senator John McCain of Arizona, the 2008 Republican nominee, was defeated by his Democratic opponent Senator Barack Obama of Illinois. This was the first time two sitting senators ran against each other for president.
date made
2008
used date
2008
depicted (sitter)
McCain, John
ID Number
2010.0037.01
catalog number
2010.0037.01
accession number
2010.0037
This undated pin featuring Roosevelt in his military hat has a hinged mouth that originally displayed a paper label reading “Give Them Hell Boys.” In 1898, Roosevelt resigned his position as Assistant Secretary of the Navy to accept command of the First U.S.
Description
This undated pin featuring Roosevelt in his military hat has a hinged mouth that originally displayed a paper label reading “Give Them Hell Boys.” In 1898, Roosevelt resigned his position as Assistant Secretary of the Navy to accept command of the First U.S. Volunteer Calvary, more commonly known as the Rough Riders. Led by Colonel Roosevelt, the unit garnered more publicity than any other during the Spanish-American War. Roosevelt’s war hero image helped him become governor of New York in 1899 and vice president under William McKinley less than two years later when they defeated the Democratic ticket of William Jennings Bryan and Adlai Stevenson. Just six months into their term McKinley was assassinated and Roosevelt became president. In 1904 he ran for a full term in his own right defeating Democrat Alton Parker. The Republicans capitalized on Roosevelt’s fame as a war hero and images of him as a soldier appeared on many artifacts in both his vice presidential and presidential campaigns.
ID Number
2015.0200.086
catalog number
2015.0200.086
accession number
2015.0200

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