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.

Resource Type: Posters

Wanted: Candidates Who Represent the People

A poster calling for candidates who support Tea Party principles. The Tea Party Movement began in 2009 and calls for lower taxes, supports smaller federal government, and oppose government sponsored healthcare.Currently not on view
Description
A poster calling for candidates who support Tea Party principles. The Tea Party Movement began in 2009 and calls for lower taxes, supports smaller federal government, and oppose government sponsored healthcare.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
2009
used date
2009
Associated Name
Tea Party Patriots Inc.
ID Number
2009.0194.10
catalog number
2009.0194.10
accession number
2009.0194

Government is the Problem

A poster used a Tea Party rally.
Description
A poster used a Tea Party rally. One side of the poster reads, "Government is the Problem NOT the solution" and the other side "Give me Liberty NOT Debt" The Tea Party Movement began in 2009 and calls for lower taxes, supports smaller federal government, and oppose government sponsored healthcare.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
2009
used date
2009
associated organization
Tea Party Patriots
ID Number
2009.0194.08
catalog number
2009.0194.08
accession number
2009.0194

Poster, "Out of Iraq"

This poster, produced for Move On, was carried at a rally opposing the war in Iraq at the U.S. Capitol on January 27, 2007.
Description
This poster, produced for Move On, was carried at a rally opposing the war in Iraq at the U.S. Capitol on January 27, 2007.
Date made
2007.01-27
date made
2007
used date
January 27, 2007
maker
Allied Printing Trades Council
ID Number
2007.0019.11
accession number
2007.0019
catalog number
2007.0019.11

Poster, “Vote-But Don’t Vote in the Dark”Poster, “Vote-But Don’t Vote in the Dark”

ID Number
2015.0200.047

poster, political

A campaign poster encouraging Marylanders to vote for marriage equality.Currently not on view
Description
A campaign poster encouraging Marylanders to vote for marriage equality.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
2013
Associated Name
Marylanders for Equality
maker
Allied Printing Trades Council
Marylanders for Equality
ID Number
2013.0267.01
accession number
2013.0267
catalog number
2013.0267.01

Poster, "Vote or Die", 2004

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
2004-11-02
maker
Seliger, Mark
ID Number
2006.0212.01
accession number
2006.0212
catalog number
2006.0212.01

The the People Are Tea'd Off

A poster from a Tea Party rally. The Tea Party Movement began in 2009 and calls for lower taxes, supports smaller federal government, and opposes government sponsored healthcare.Currently not on view
Description
A poster from a Tea Party rally. The Tea Party Movement began in 2009 and calls for lower taxes, supports smaller federal government, and opposes government sponsored healthcare.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
2010-04-15
04-15-2010
used date
April 15, 2010
user
Tea Party Patriots Inc.
maker
Tea Party Patriots Inc.
ID Number
2010.0068.05
catalog number
2010.0068.05
accession number
2010.0068

Poster, "Stop Abortion Now"

This poster was used at an anti-abortion rally in Washington, D.C., on the 17th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision.
Description
This poster was used at an anti-abortion rally in Washington, D.C., on the 17th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision.
ID Number
1990.0191.01
accession number
1990.0191
catalog number
1990.0191.01

Don't Let 'Em Shut America Down

A poster used at a protest in front of the White House protesting the furlough of federal employees. Poster is sponsored by the National Treasury Employees Union.Currently not on view
Description
A poster used at a protest in front of the White House protesting the furlough of federal employees. Poster is sponsored by the National Treasury Employees Union.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1990
used date
October 5, 1990
referenced
U.S. Treasury Department. Internal Revenue Service. Bureau of AT&F
maker
Allied Printing Trades Council
ID Number
1990.0589.01
catalog number
1990.0589.01
accession number
1990.0589

I Am the Face of Pro-Choice America Planned Parenthood

A poster used in the 1992 March for Women's Lives in Washington, DC.Currently not on view
Description
A poster used in the 1992 March for Women's Lives in Washington, DC.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1992
used date
April 5, 1992
referenced
Planned Parenthood Federation of America
maker
Planned Parenthood Federation of America
ID Number
1992.0238.03
catalog number
1992.0238.03
accession number
1992.0238

Poster, United Farm Workers

UFW leader Cesar Chavez organized a nationwide boycott against California grape growers demanding higher wages and better living and working conditions for migrant farm workers.Currently not on view
Description
UFW leader Cesar Chavez organized a nationwide boycott against California grape growers demanding higher wages and better living and working conditions for migrant farm workers.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
mid 1960s
depicted
Chavez, Cesar
affiliated union
Lithographers and Photoengravers International Union
maker
Lithographers and Photoengravers International Union
ID Number
1996.0250.02
catalog number
1996.0250.02
accession number
1996.0250

Young Lords Party - Health, Food, Housing, Education

The Young Lords Party is a group that fights for neighborhood empowerment and self-determination for Puerto Ricans, Latinos, and colonized people.Currently not on view
Description
The Young Lords Party is a group that fights for neighborhood empowerment and self-determination for Puerto Ricans, Latinos, and colonized people.
Location
Currently not on view
Associated Name
Young Lords Organization
ID Number
1986.1035.108
catalog number
1986.1035.108
accession number
1986.1035

PROJECT '88 Americans for the Reagan Agenda

A poster supporting the "Reagan Agenda" in the 1984 presidential campaign.Currently not on view
Description
A poster supporting the "Reagan Agenda" in the 1984 presidential campaign.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1988
Associated Name
Reagan, Ronald Wilson
ID Number
1986.0849.05
accession number
1986.0849
catalog number
1986.0849.05

"Freedom to Breathe" Environmental Poster

Scientific studies have linked air pollution to quality of life and health issues.
Description
Scientific studies have linked air pollution to quality of life and health issues. To emphasize the need to control the quality of the country’s air, this poster shows the Statue of Liberty, an American symbol of freedom, wearing a gas mask because she has lost the freedom to breathe clean, healthy air. Produced in 1969 by the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, it resembles rock music posters of the era.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1969
referenced
U.S. Public Health Service
ID Number
1988.0522.01
catalog number
1988.0522.01
accession number
1988.0522

poster

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1967
associated date
1967
ID Number
1983.0583.01
accession number
1983.0583
catalog number
1983.0583.01

Margaret Chase Smith

Margaret Chase Smith, member of House of Representatives from Maine, 1940-1949 and a Senator from Maine 1949-1973, was a candidate for the Republican nomination for President in 1964.Currently not on view
Description
Margaret Chase Smith, member of House of Representatives from Maine, 1940-1949 and a Senator from Maine 1949-1973, was a candidate for the Republican nomination for President in 1964.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1964
associated date
1964
associated person
Smith, Margaret
associated institution
Republican National Party
ID Number
ZZ.RSN82585Y15

Sign, Voter Registration Applications

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c1974
ID Number
1979.0748.01C
accession number
1979.0748
catalog number
1979.0748.01C

Sing Out Freedom!

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1964
associated date
1964 07 27
associated
Johnson, Lyndon B.
ID Number
1979.0764.01a
accession number
1979.0764
catalog number
1979.0764.01a

Make America Great with Jobs For All

A poster used at a Jobs Rally for organized labor on April 26, 1975.Currently not on view
Description
A poster used at a Jobs Rally for organized labor on April 26, 1975.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c1975
used date
April 26, 1975
ID Number
1979.0734.17
accession number
1979.0734
catalog number
1979.0734.17

Don't Call Me Girl!

A 1975 poster produced by The Women's Graphics Collective. The Women’s Graphics Collective produced over 50 posters that explored women's social and political issues in the 1970s and 1980s.Currently not on view
Description
A 1975 poster produced by The Women's Graphics Collective. The Women’s Graphics Collective produced over 50 posters that explored women's social and political issues in the 1970s and 1980s.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1975
copyright date
1975
copyright holder
Women's Graphics Collective
maker
Women's Graphics Collective
ID Number
1977.0660.03
accession number
1977.0660
catalog number
1977.0660.03

Poster, "We Want Work Not Welfare"

This poster was used at the Rally for Jobs Now on April 26, 1975, in Washington, D.C.
Description
This poster was used at the Rally for Jobs Now on April 26, 1975, in Washington, D.C.
date made
c1975
Associated Date
April 26, 1975
ID Number
1979.0734.03
accession number
1979.0734
catalog number
1979.0734.03

Poster, "If the Farmer Can't Survive..."

This poster was used at a 1978 farmers protest in Washington, D.C.
Description
This poster was used at a 1978 farmers protest in Washington, D.C.
described
Farmer
ID Number
1978.0584.04
catalog number
1978.0584.04
accession number
1978.0584

Sign, Don't Buy Imported Clothing

This placard came from a Washington, D.C. job rally in 1975. "Buy American" campaigns were one response by manufacturers and unions to global competition.Currently not on view
Description
This placard came from a Washington, D.C. job rally in 1975. "Buy American" campaigns were one response by manufacturers and unions to global competition.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1975
used date
1975
affiliated union
American Federation of Labor
Congress of Industrial Organizations
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America
maker
Allied Printing Trades Council
ID Number
1979.0734.06
catalog number
1979.0734.06
accession number
1979.0734

The Longest Walk Support Native Americans Stop Genocide

A poster advertising the Longest Walk.
Description
A poster advertising the Longest Walk. The Longest Walk, held in 1978, consisted of a march from San Francisco, CA to Washington, DC to bring awareness to the rights of Native people and to protest eleven bills that threatened treaties between the government and several Native tribes.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1978
associated date
1978 07 15
ID Number
1978.2202.32
accession number
1978.2202
catalog number
1978.2202.32

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