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.

Place: United States

Ulysses S. Grant Campaign Badge

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 badges.
Obverse: Tintype photograph of Ulysses S. Grant, labeled “Grant.”
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1868
depicted
Grant, Ulysses S.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1176
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1176

George B. McClellan Campaign Badge

This presidential campaign 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 presidential campaign 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.
Obverse: Tintype photograph of George B. McClellan imbedded into a circular brass frame. The tintype is labeled “M’CLELLAN.”
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1864
depicted
McClellan, George B.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1105
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1105

Presidential Campaign Luggage Tag

The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this luggage tag around 1908. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this luggage tag around 1908. Scovill 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, medals, coins, and tokens.
This Presidential campaign novelty is a square-shaped luggage tag with the inscription: TAFT/1908/SHERMAN. William Taft and James Sherman were elected President and Vice President in 1908.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1908
referenced
Taft, William H.
Sherman, James Schoolcraft
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1594
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1594

Horatio Seymour Campaign Medal

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: Bust of Horatio Seymour facing left. The legend reads: HORATIO SEYMOUR 1868.
Reverse: Bust of Francis Blair facing right. The legend reads: FRANK P. BLAIR. Jr.1868.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1868
depicted
Seymour, Horatio
Blair, Jr., Francis P.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1198
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1198

John Bell Campaign Medal

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 buttons, daguerreotype mats, and campaign medals.
Obverse: Bust of John A. Bell facing left. The legend reads: FOR PRESIDENT JOHN BELL OF TENNESSEE.
Reverse: Eagle with shield, holding a laurel branch and a bundle of arrows, and a banner in its beak that reads: E PLURIBUS UNUM.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1860
depicted
Bell, John
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1193
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1193

Horatio Seymour Campaign Medal

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 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 Horatio Seymour and Francis P. Blair facing left. Legend reads: SEYMOUR & BLAIR, 1868.
Reverse: Legend reads: GENERAL AMNESTY, UNIFORM CURRENCY, EQUAL TAXES & EQUAL RIGHTS.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1868
depicted
Seymour, Horatio
Blair, Jr., Francis P.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1219
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1219

Henry Clay Campaign Medal

This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1824. 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 1824. 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: Profile image of Henry Clay facing left, with the legend: HENRY CLAY.
Reverse: Image of a spread-winged eagle with shield, clutching a laurel branch in one talon and three arrows in the other. The legend reads: PROTECTION TO AMERICAN INDUSTRY.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1824
depicted
Clay, Henry
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1247
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1247

Ulysses S. Grant Campaign Badge

This 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 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.
This badge features a tintype photograph of Ulysses S. Grant and Schuyler Colfax set into a brass badge. This badge likely would have originally had a pin on the back so it could be worn.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1868
depicted
Grant, Ulysses S.
Colfax, Schuyler
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1097
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1097

Horatio Seymour Campaign Badge

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 badges.
Obverse: Tintype photograph of Horatio Seymour, labeled “SEYMOUR.”
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1868
depicted
Seymour, Horatio
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1180
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1180

Horace Greeley Campaign Medal

This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1872. 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 1872. 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 Horace Greeley and Benjamin Brown with an image of two hands shaking underneath the busts. The legend reads: GREELEY & BROWN.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1872
depicted
Greeley, Horace
Brown, Benjamin G.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1157
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1157

Ulysses S. Grant Campaign Badge

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 Ulysses S. Grant in brass housing, the legend around the rim reads: OUR CHOICE FOR PRESIDENT.
Reverse: Tintype photograph of Schuyler Colfax in brass housing, the legend around the rim reads: FOR VICE PRESIDENT.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1868
depicted
Grant, Ulysses S.
Colfax, Schuyler
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1088
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1088

Calvin Coolidge Token

This token was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut during the 1920s. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This token was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut during the 1920s. 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 political tokens.
Obverse: Bust of Calvin Coolidge facing right. Legend reads: CALVIN COOLIDGE/ PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1920
depicted
Coolidge, Calvin
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1267
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1267

Abraham Lincoln Campaign Badge

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.
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.
Obverse: Tintype photograph of Abraham Lincoln in metal frame. There is a legend around the rim that reads: ABRAHAM LINCOLN 1860.
Reverse: Tintype photograph of Hannibal Hamlin in metal frame. There is a legend around the rim that reads: HANNIBAL HAMLIN 1860.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1860
depicted
Lincoln, Abraham
Hamlin, Hannibal
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1295
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1295

Abraham Lincoln Campaign Medal

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 badges.
Obverse: Profile image of Abraham Lincoln facing right. Legend reads: HON. ABRAHAM LINCOLN, 1860.
Reverse: Depiction of two men splitting logs with a log cabin in the background. 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
1981.0296.1074
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1074

Washington and Jefferson Medal

This medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut in the 1860s. 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 in the 1860s. 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 has a hole in the top so that it could be worn. The medal bears the name “Bolen” referring to J.A. Bolden, a die caster from Springfield, Massachusetts.
Obverse: Bust image of George Washington facing right. Legend reads: Washington.
Reverse: Bust of Thomas Jefferson facing right. Legend reads: Jefferson.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1860
depicted
Washington, George
Jefferson, Thomas
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1121
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1121

Ulysses S. Grant Campaign Badge

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.
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
date made
ca 1868
depicted
Grant, Ulysses S.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1069
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1069

Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Campaign Medal

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, and 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, 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 like campaign medals. This medal has a quote issued by Grant during the Overland Campaign of the Civil War.
Obverse: Bust of Ulysses S. Grant facing forward, the legend reads: GENERAL U.S. GRANT.
Reverse: Legend reads: I PROPOSE TO FIGHT IT OUT ON THIS LINE IF IT TAKES ALL SUMMER.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1868
depicted
Grant, Ulysses S.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1084
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1084

Abraham Lincoln Campaign Badge

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 that is still in business today.
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 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. There is a hole at the top of the frame to allow for the badge to be strung and worn.
Obverse: Tintype photograph of Abraham Lincoln set into a brass oval frame. The photo is labeled: ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1860
depicted
Lincoln, Abraham
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1182
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1182

Taft and Sherman Presidential Luggage Tag

The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this luggage tag around 1908. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this luggage tag around 1908. Scovill 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, medals, coins, and tokens.
This Presidential campaign novelty is a square-shaped luggage tag with the inscription: TAFT/1908/SHERMAN. William Taft and James Sherman were elected President and Vice President in 1908.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1908
referenced
Taft, William H.
Sherman, James Schoolcraft
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1592
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1592

Schuyler Colfax Campaign Medal

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: Bust of Schulyer Colfax facing right. The legend reads: SCHUYLER COLFAX 1868.
.
Location
Currently not on view
date on object
1863
depicted
Colfax, Schuyler
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1197
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1197

Franklin Roosevelt Campaign Medal

This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1932.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 1932.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: Profiles of Franklin D. Roosevelt and John Nance Garner, with the legend: A NEW DAY A NEW DEAL/FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT/JOHN N. GARNER.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1932
depicted
Roosevelt, Franklin Delano
Garner, John N.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1314
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1314

Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Medal

This presidential medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1870. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This presidential medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1870. 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 medals.
Obverse: Bust of Ulysses S. Grant facing left. The legend reads: PRESIDENT U.S. GRANT.
Reverse: Legend reads: IN HONOR OF THE 15th AMENDMENT PROCLAMATION ISSUED MARCH 30th 1870.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1870
depicted
Grant, Ulysses S.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1138
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1138

Horace Greeley Campaign Medal

This campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut in 1872. 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 in 1872. 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 was made with a loop so it could be worn on clothing.
Obverse: Bust of Horace Greeley facing right. Legend reads: HORACE GREELEY PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE 1872.
Reverse: Legend reads: UNIVERSAL AMNESTY & IMPARTIAL SUFFRAGE.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1872
depicted
Greeley, Horace
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1145
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1145

Horace Greeley Campaign Medal

This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1872. 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 1872. 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: Busts of Horace Greeley and Benjamin Brown facing right, with an image of two hands shaking underneath the busts. The legend reads: GREELEY & BROWN.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1872
depicted
Greeley, Horace
Brown, Benjamin G.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1250
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1250

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