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.

Toy football used to stimulate focus-group discussions of political issues.
Description
Toy football used to stimulate focus-group discussions of political issues.
ID Number
1995.0345.01
catalog number
1995.0345.01
accession number
1995.0345
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
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
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
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.
This badge features a photograph of Abraham Lincoln in a brass oval frame. The badge was likely attached to a pin so it could be worn.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1860
depicted
Lincoln, Abraham
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1068
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1068
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.
This campaign badge features a tintype photograph of George B. McClellan in a circular brass frame. The tintype is labeled “G.B. M’CLELLAN.”
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1864
depicted
McClellan, George B.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1094
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1094
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 and 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 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, labeled “Lincoln.” The tintype is set into a red, white and blue fabric button.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1864
depicted
Lincoln, Abraham
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1256
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1256
This token was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut during the early 20th century. Scovill 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 early 20th century. 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 various consumer goods.
Obverse: Bust of Chester A. Arthur facing right. Legend: 21ST PRESIDENT, U.S.A./ 1881-1885/ CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
Reverse: "OUR CHET"/ "FIRST GENTLEMAN OF THE LAND"/ Q. M. GENERAL IN CIVIL WAR COLLECTOR OF PORT OF NEW YORK VICE PRESIDENT BECAME PRESIDENT UPON DEATH OF GARFIELD FAVORED CIVIL SERVICE PROTECTION.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
depicted
Arthur, Chester A.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1288
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1288
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 Abraham Lincoln, labeled: A. LINCOLN.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1864
depicted
Lincoln, Abraham
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1171
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1171
This token was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut during the early 20th century. Scovill 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 early 20th century. 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, and political tokens.
Obverse: Bust of John Quincy Adams facing right. Legend: 6TH PRESIDENT, U.S.A./ 1825-1829/ JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.
Reverse: "THE DIARIST"/ "OLD MAN ELOQUENT"/ SON OF SECOND PRESIDENT MINISTER TO VARIOUS FOREIGN COUNTRIES SECRETARY OF STATE AFTER PRESIDENCY WAS ANTI-SLAVERY LEADER IN CONGRESS.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
depicted
Adams, John Quincy
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1276
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1276
This token was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut during the early 20th century. Scovill 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 early 20th century. 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 various consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and political tokens.
Obverse: Bust of Ulysses S. Grant facing left. Legend: 18TH PRESIDENT, U.S.A./ 1869-1877/ ULYSSES S. GRANT.
Reverse: "THE AMERICAN CAESAR"/ "UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER"/ SECOND LIEUTENANT IN MEXICAL WAR ROSE RAPIDLY FROM CAPTAIN TO GENERAL OF UNION FORCES IN CIVIL WAR THE SILENT MAN OF APPOMATTOX.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
depicted
Grant, Ulysses S.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1285
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1285
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.
This badge features a tintype photograph of Ulysses S. Grant set into a circular brass frame.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1868
depicted
Grant, Ulysses S.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1100
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1100
This presidential button was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1848. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This presidential button was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1848. 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 buttons.
Obverse: Bust of Zachary Taylor facing right. The legend reads: ROUGH & READY.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1848
depicted
Taylor, Zachary
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1183
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1183
This token was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut during the early 20th century. 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 early 20th century. 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 Millard Fillmore facing right. Legend reads: 13TH PRESIDENT, U.S.A./ 1850-1853/ MILLARD FILLMORE.
Reverse: Legend reads: "THE AMERICAN LOUIS PHILLIPPE"/ FAMOUS AS A TARIFF ADVOCATE CONGRESSMAN VICE PRESIDENT BECAME PRESIDENT UPON TAYLOR'S DEATH. PASSED FUGITIVE SLAVE BILL.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
depicted
Fillmore, Millard
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1282
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1282
This token was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut during the early 20th century. Scovill 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 early 20th century. 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 various consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and political tokens.
Obverse: Bust of Grover Cleveland facing right. Legend: 22ND & 24TH PRESIDENT, U.S.A., 1885 1889 1893 1897/GROVER CLEVELAND.
Reverse: "OLD GROVER"/ "THE MAN OF DESTINY"/ MAYOR OF BUFFALO GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK FAVORED TARIFF REDUCTION EXPANDED CIVIL SERVICE SHOWED KEEN TACT IN HIS FOREIGN POLICY.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
depicted
Cleveland, Grover
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1289
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1289
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 Abraham Lincoln set into a circular bronze frame, the image is labeled “A. LINCOLN.”
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1864
depicted
Lincoln, Abraham
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1114
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1114
This coin was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut during the 1930s. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This coin was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut during the 1930s. 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 various consumer goods. These could be mailed to Cracker Jack to become a Mystery Club member.
Obverse: Bust of Woodrow Wilson facing left. Legend: 28TH PRESIDENT, U.S.A./ 1913-1921/ WOODROW WILSON.
Reverse: "THE PROFESSOR"/ "WE DESIRE NO CONQUEST, NO DOMINATION"/ WORLD WAR PRESIDENT/ JOIN THE CRACKER JACK MYSTERY CLUB SAVE THIS COIN/ THE CRACKER JACK CO. CHICAGO, U.S.A.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
depicted
Wilson, Woodrow
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1268
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1268
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this campaign pin around 1968. 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 campaign pin around 1968. 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 pins.
This circular white button bears the text “NIXON’S THE ONE!” in red. The button has a pin on the back, allowing it to be worn. Richard Nixon successfully ran for President on the Republican ticket in 1968.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1968
referenced
Nixon, Richard M.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1299
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1299
This coin was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut during the 1930s. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This coin was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut during the 1930s. 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 coins. These coins could be mailed to Cracker Jack to become a Mystery Club member.
Obverse: Bust of Ulysses Grant facing left. Legend: 18th PRESIDENT, U.S.A./1869-1877/ULYSSES S. GRANT.
Reverse: Legend: "THE AMERICAN CAESAR"/ "UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER"/ JOIN CRACKER JACK MYSTERY CLUB SAVE THIS COIN/ THE CRACKER JACK CO., CHICAGO, U.S.A.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
depicted
Grant, Ulysses S.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1261
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1261
This coin was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut during the 1930s. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This coin was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut during the 1930s. 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. These coins could be mailed to Cracker Jack to become a Mystery Club member.
Obverse: Bust of Benjamin Harrison facing left. Legend: 23RD PRESIDENT, U.S.A./ 1889-1893/ BENJAMIN HARRISON.
Reverse: "BACKBONE BEN"/ "SON OF HIS GRANDFATHER"/ JOIN THE CRACKER JACK MYSTERY CLUB SAVE THIS COIN/ THE CRACKER JACK CO. CHICAGO, U.S.A.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
depicted
Harrison, Benjamin
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1269
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1269
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 Abraham Lincoln, labeled “A. LINCOLN.”
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1864
depicted
Lincoln, Abraham
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1175
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1175
This coin was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut during the 1930s. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This coin was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut during the 1930s. 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. These coins could be mailed to Cracker Jack to become a Mystery Club member.
Obverse: Bust of William Harrison facing forward. Legend: THE PRESIDENT, U.S.A./ 1841- DIED/ WM. HENRY HARRISON.
Reverse:"OLD TIPPECANOE"/ "THE WASHINGTON OF THE WEST"/ JOIN THE CRACKER JACK MYSTERY CLUB SAVE THIS COIN/ THE CRACKER JACK CO. CHICAGO, U.S.A.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
depicted
Harrison, William Henry
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1266
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1266
This historical 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 historical 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 buttons, daguerreotype mats, and campaign medals.
Obverse: Bust of Major General Anthony Wayne, facing ¾ left. The legend reads: MAJOR GENERAL ANTHONY WAYNE BORN 1745 DIED 1796.
Reverse: Floral wreath around the edge. Legend reads: BRANDYWINE GERMANTOWN MONMOUTH STONY/ ALFRED S. ROBINSON’S HISTORICAL SERIES NO. 1
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1860
depicted
Wayne, Anthony
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1144
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1144
This coin was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut during the 1930s. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This coin was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut during the 1930s. 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. These coins could be mailed to Cracker Jack to become a Mystery Club member.
Obverse: Bust of Van Buren facing right. Legend: 8TH PRESIDENT, U.S.A./ 1837-1841/ MARTIN VAN BUREN.
Reverse: "KING MARTIN THE FIRST"/ "THE LITTLE MAGICIAN"/ JOIN THE CRACKER JACK MYSTERY CLUB SAVE THIS COIN/ THE CRACKER JACK CO., CHICAGO, U.S.A.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
depicted
Van Buren, Martin
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1265
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1265

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