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

Poster, "Not Four More Years..."

This poster was carried at the Vietnam War protests in Washington, D.C., May 9, 1970.
Description
This poster was carried at the Vietnam War protests in Washington, D.C., May 9, 1970.
associated person
Nixon, Richard M.
ID Number
2015.0200.139
catalog number
2015.0200.139
accession number
2015.0200

Votar y Votar

"Una piedra en el camino me enseño que mi destino era votar y votar" (A stone in the road taught me that my destiny is to vote and vote" - a customized quote from the song "El Rey (the King)" by famed Mexican singer and cultural icon Vicente Fernandez.
Description
"Una piedra en el camino me enseño que mi destino era votar y votar" (A stone in the road taught me that my destiny is to vote and vote" - a customized quote from the song "El Rey (the King)" by famed Mexican singer and cultural icon Vicente Fernandez. A sketch of Fernandez, top half of poster, is drawn.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c. 2016-2017
depicted (sitter)
Fernandez, Vicente
maker
Hernandez, Mayra S.
ID Number
2018.0059.02
accession number
2018.0059
catalog number
2018.0059.02

Poster, "Hey Congress Listen to US"

This poster was used at a March 9, 2010 Washington, D.C. health care reform demonstration that referred to itself as the “Citizen’s Posse.”
Description
This poster was used at a March 9, 2010 Washington, D.C. health care reform demonstration that referred to itself as the “Citizen’s Posse.”
date made
2010
ID Number
2010.0140.18
accession number
2010.0140
catalog number
2010.014.18

Poster, "The Right to Read"

Though not guaranteed by the Constitution, Americans have largely agreed that an educated citizenry is a requirement for a healthy democracy. This poster was produced by the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare in 1970.
Description
Though not guaranteed by the Constitution, Americans have largely agreed that an educated citizenry is a requirement for a healthy democracy. This poster was produced by the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare in 1970.
ID Number
2015.0200.043
accession number
2015.0200
catalog number
2015.0200.043

poster

A handmade poster supporting Barack Obama in the 2008 Presidential campaign.Currently not on view
Description
A handmade poster supporting Barack Obama in the 2008 Presidential campaign.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
2008
Associated Name
Obama, Barack H.
ID Number
2008.0192.042
accession number
2008.0192
catalog number
2008.0192.042

Bankrupt America?

A poster used in the Tea Party Movement. One side of the poster, "Bankrupt America?
Description
A poster used in the Tea Party Movement. One side of the poster, "Bankrupt America? Yes We Can!" and the other side, "Silent No More" 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
Associated Date
2009-09-12
user
Tea Party Patriots Inc.
ID Number
2009.0194.15
catalog number
2009.0194.15
accession number
2009.0194

Women of Rhode Island

A poster dating from around 1920 sponsored by the Rhode Island Equal Suffrage Association to encourage women to register and vote.Currently not on view
Description
A poster dating from around 1920 sponsored by the Rhode Island Equal Suffrage Association to encourage women to register and vote.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c. 1920
used date
1920
maker
Rhode Island Equal Suffrage Association
ID Number
2017.0347.24
accession number
2017.0347
catalog number
2017.0347.24

Silver Screen 85...Kennedy-Nixon

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1960
referenced
Kennedy, John F.
Nixon, Richard M.
ID Number
2018.0231.139
catalog number
2018.0231.139
accession number
2018.0231

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

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