Religion

One hallmark of the American experience captured in the Museum's collections is the nation's broad diversity of religious faiths. Artifacts range from Thomas Jefferson's Bible to a huge "Sunstone" sculpture carved for a Mormon temple in Illinois in 1844 to a household shrine from the home of a Pueblo Indian in the 1990s. Furniture, musical instruments, clothing, cooking ware, and thousands of prints and figures in the collections have all played roles in the religious lives of Americans. The most comprehensive collections include artifacts from Jewish and Christian European Americans, Catholic Latinos, Protestant Arab Americans, Buddhist and Christian Asian Pacific Americans, and Protestant African Americans. One notable group is the Vidal Collection of carved figures known as santos and other folk religious material from the practice of Santeria in Puerto Rico.

Text and photograph from Gardner's Photographic Sketchbook of the War, Vol. II. Negative by Timothy H.
Description
Text and photograph from Gardner's Photographic Sketchbook of the War, Vol. II. Negative by Timothy H. O'Sullivan, text and positive by Alexander Gardner.
Too great a measure of praise cannot be bestowed upon a more noble and industrious body of men than the Fiftieth New York Volunteer Engineers. In the midst of the great demands made upon their services in tune of battle and of siege, the officers and men found pleasure in designing, planning, and building the beautiful rustic structure presented in this view, and devoting the same to the worship of the great God of Battles. The timber upon the spot, and the tools, with which they were provided for engineering purposes, furnished the material and means wherewith to exercise the taste, genius, and energy displayed. The first services, though they cannot well be styled a dedication, were conducted on Sunday, March 5, 1865, by the Rev. Mr. Duryea, of New York, and on each succeeding Sabbath day, and during many evenings of the week, the army chaplains and visiting clergymen were invited to officiate. It is built not far from the site of the old Poplar Spring Meeting House, a plain country board church, which was used successively by both armies as a hospital during the operations on the 29th and 30th of September, and 1st and 2d of October, 1864, near the Pegram House, now the site of Fort Fisher.
The present Church was used for the same purpose during the movements on the last of March, and 1st and 2d of April, 1865. The Regiment, upon moving away from its camp to take part in the pursuit of Lee's army, left a wooden tablet over the entrance to the Church, with these words inscribed upon it: "Presented to the Trustees of the Poplar Springs Church, by the Fiftieth Regiment New York Volunteer Engineers." Colonel Ira Spaulding commanded the Regiment, Captain McGrath, the architect and builder of the Church. In front is a group of several of the officers of the Regiment. On the foreground stands the architect himself. One view of the Church also shows, on the left, the quarters, neatly and tastefully arranged, of the Regimental officers.
It has been proposed to move the edifice to the great Central Park of New York City, as one of the mementoes of the war, and certainly no more interesting or striking feature could be added to the already many beautiful adornments that embellish those grounds. This monument to the skill and ingenuity of the builders, receives universal admiration.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1865-02
maker
Gardner, Alexander
ID Number
1986.0711.0283.24
accession number
1986.0711
catalog number
1986.0711.0283.24
Text and photograph from Gardner's Photographic Sketchbook of the War, Vol. II. Negative by Timothy H.
Description
Text and photograph from Gardner's Photographic Sketchbook of the War, Vol. II. Negative by Timothy H. O'Sullivan, text and positive by Alexander Gardner.
"Old Blanford Church," of which a view is here presented, is a great object of interest to all visitors; the cemetery surrounding it having monuments erected one hundred and fifty years ago. The walls of the main body of the building are of English brick, imported from the mother country. The services of the Episcopal Church were first performed in 1735, and continued to be read until 1825, nearly a century. Since that time, owing to the movement of the inhabitants of Blandford to the present site of Petersburg, the church has not been used, although the cemetery, now much enlarged, still continues to be the general depository of the dead. The ivy-covered walls now stand as a historic monument of what was formerly the aristocratic portion of the city. In the cemetery the stranger is not only shown the almost obliterated slab beneath which rests the remains of General Phillips, who died in May, 1781, during the war of independence, but also the monument. erected to the memory of the brave volunteers from the "Cockade City," who left houses and friends in the war of 1812. The greater space, however, has been allotted during the last four years to the graves of "Our Soldiers," these words being cut on a simple wooden cross, to mark the resting place of the Confederate dead.
A somewhat eccentric sexton, whose father before him performed the same duties, is generally on the spot to enlighten visitors in regard to the history of the church, and is apparently much pleased to do so from the manner in which he enters upon his oft-repeated narrative. During the siege the edifice and its surroundings suffered but little damage from shot or shell, although the position was in front of the point of attack at the time of the explosion of the mine on the 30th July, 1864.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1865-04
maker
Gardner, Alexander
ID Number
1986.0711.0283.35
accession number
1986.0711
catalog number
1986.0711.0283.35
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1867
graphic artist
Henriquel-Dupont, Louis Pierre
original artist
Correggio
publisher
Goupil & Cie.
ID Number
GA.15453
catalog number
15453
accession number
94830
This music book The Triumph! was edited by George Frederick Root. It was published by Root & Cady in Chicago, Illinois, in 1868.
Description (Brief)

This music book The Triumph! was edited by George Frederick Root. It was published by Root & Cady in Chicago, Illinois, in 1868. This is a collection of music containing an introductory course for congregational singing, theory of music and teacher's manual, elementary, intermediate and advanced courses, for singing schools and musical conventions, and tunes, hymns, anthems and chants for choirs.

George Frederick Root (1820– 1895) was an American songwriter, best known for songs such as "Tramp! Tramp! Tramp!" and "The Battle Cry of Freedom."

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1868
ID Number
2014.0181.05
accession number
2014.0181
catalog number
2014.0181.05
Carte-de-visite made by Charles W. Eberman; A group of people posing on a church balconey. A wreath that says "100" is hung on the wall. Label on verso: "Photographed by Charles W. Eberman, No. 23 West King Street Lancaster, Pa.".
Description (Brief)
Carte-de-visite made by Charles W. Eberman; A group of people posing on a church balconey. A wreath that says "100" is hung on the wall. Label on verso: "Photographed by Charles W. Eberman, No. 23 West King Street Lancaster, Pa.". 2 cent blue George Washington revenue stamp also is on verso.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1860s
ID Number
1986.3048.0320
catalog number
1986.3048.0320
nonaccession number
1986.3048
Text and photograph from Gardner's Photographic Sketchbook of the War, Vol. II.
Description
Text and photograph from Gardner's Photographic Sketchbook of the War, Vol. II. Negative by James Gardner, text and positive by Alexander Gardner.
This Church is located on a ridge near Sharpsburg, on the battle-field of Antietam, and suffered severely in that engagement, it was against this point that General Hooker, on the right of our line, made his assaults, and near it where he received his wound. The attack of King's Division, temporarily commanded by General Hatch, was made upon the rebels posted immediately around the Church. The slaughter here was fearful. Each of the contending lines charged repeatedly across the field in front of the building, and strewed the ground with their dead. The terrible effect of cannister was never more clearly demonstrated than in this vicinity. Battery B, Fourth United States Artillery, had lost heavily in the course of the engagement, its commander, Lieutenant Campbell, having been wounded and carried from the field, the command devolving on Lieutenant Stewart. Several of the horses had been killed, and Lieutenant Stewart, sending two guns to the rear, took up a position with his four remaining pieces on a little knoll near a sunken road.
The smoke obstructed the view considerably, and the Lieutenant not seeing anything of the enemy was cooling his guns, when suddenly his sergeant shouted "Here they come! Here they come!" A rebel brigade was coming down the road on a double-quick, and when discovered were only fifty yards distant. The cannoniers sprang to their pieces, and instantly opened on the approaching column with cannister double-spotted, the discharge from the four twelve pounders sweeping out half a dozen panels of the fence, and driving a storm of slugs and spotted rails into the mass of Confederates. The rear still pressed on, ignorant of the havoc in front, and again and again the artillery poured its iron hail into the column, completely obstructing the road with dead and wounded. Later in the day a Captain of this brigade was taken prisoner, and stated, that of the command of eighteen hundred men which received that fire, but eighteen had returned to the division. Some of course had been taken prisoners or had wandered off after the annihilation of the brigade, but most of the men had fallen in front of the cannon.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Gardner, Alexander
ID Number
1986.0711.0334.21
accession number
1986.0711
catalog number
1986.0711.0334.21
Text and photograph from Gardner's Photographic Sketchbook of the War, Vol. II.
Description
Text and photograph from Gardner's Photographic Sketchbook of the War, Vol. II. Negative by James Gardner, text and positive by Alexander Gardner.
One of the most striking evidences of the patriotism of the American people, and of the desire of those who were unable personally to enter the field, to render every assistance in their power to promote the Union cause, is to be found in the workings of the Christian Commission – the members of which were connected with every corps and division of the Federal Army, and who were instrumental in doing much to alleviate the sufferings of our sick and wounded soldiers, and in administering spiritual consolation to the dying.
Organized in New York on the 16th of November, 1861, and devoting itself to the interests of the army and navy, branch offices were speedily established in Washington, Philadelphia, and all our leading cities, and every little town, village and hamlet, immediately entered into the spirit of the enterprise, and poured its treasures into the coffers of the parent stem – from whence they were conveyed to the soldiers by faithful, zealous and indefatigable delegates. The women of America were untiring in their efforts to provide luxuries and comforts for our armies, and the princely liberality of our citizens, in every rank and calling, was fully and thoroughly developed. The following summary, up to January, 1865, probably is the best means of conveying an idea of the magnitude of the operations of this charitable and praiseworthy association: The receipts in 1861 were $231,256.29; in 1863, $916,837.65; in 1864, $2,882,347.86; making a total of $4,030,44. 80. During 1864, 47,103 boxes of hospital stores and publications were distributed, valued at $2,185,670.82. Two hundred and five chapels and chapel tents were erected at. a cost. of $114,359.78; and 569,594 copies of Bibles and Testaments distributed.
Libraries have been furnished to hospitals, forts, regiments, and vessels of war. Thousands of hymn-books, knapsack-books, magazines, weekly religious papers, tracts and literary productions were gladly received by the soldiers, and relieved the tedium of many a weary hour. Railroad and telegraph corporations in all parts of the land rendered gratuitous facilities in support of the institution, and, with the Government, aided the Commission very materially.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1863-09
maker
Gardner, Alexander
ID Number
1986.0711.0283.03
accession number
1986.0711
catalog number
1986.0711.0283.03
Physical DescriptionPrint on paper; bound in leather.Specific HistoryNew Testament owned by James H. Stetson, who was killed at the Battle of Gettysburg.General HistoryThe Battle of Gettysburg was a critical turning point in the American Civil War.
Description
Physical Description
Print on paper; bound in leather.
Specific History
New Testament owned by James H. Stetson, who was killed at the Battle of Gettysburg.
General History
The Battle of Gettysburg was a critical turning point in the American Civil War. During the first three days of July 1863, over 172,000 men and 634 cannons were positioned in an area encompassing 25 square miles. An estimated 569 tons of ammunition were expended and, when the battle had ended, the losses toped 51,000 in dead and wounded soldiers on both sides. While the Confederate army retreated after Gettysburg, the war would drag on another two years. It would be the most costly battle ever fought on U.S. soil. The battle was commemorated by Abraham Lincoln’s legendary address. Lincoln stated: “Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation or any nation so conceived and so dedicated can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of it as a final resting place for those who died here that the nation might live. This we may, in all propriety do. But in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead who struggled here have hallowed it far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.” The world has remembered both the battle and Lincoln’s eloquent words.
Date made
1852
user
Stetson, James H.
publisher
American Bible Society
ID Number
AF.77318M
catalog number
77318M
accession number
307583
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1861
ID Number
NU.68.263.1024
catalog number
68.263.1024
accession number
281689
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1864
engraver
Niepce, Joseph Nicephore
ID Number
GA.03473
catalog number
03473
accession number
23426
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1 October,1861
publisher
Goupil & Cie.
original artist
Delaroche, Paul
publisher
Knoedler, M.
graphic artist
Girardet, Edouard
ID Number
GA.14341
accession number
94830
catalog number
14341
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date "Book of Common Prayer" published
1868
date "Hymnal" published
1878
presentation date
1879-04-21
confirmation date of T. B. M. Mason
1877-01-21
printer
Eyre and Spottiswoode
ID Number
DL.070138.0064
catalog number
70138.0064
accession number
70138
This color print is a circular allegorical image labeled 'THE WORLD' depicting the divergent paths of good and evil while on life's journey.
Description
This color print is a circular allegorical image labeled 'THE WORLD' depicting the divergent paths of good and evil while on life's journey. The path splits as the child leaves the school house, turning left toward the on the lower center and then up the right side of the print that leads from the House of God to Eternal Life. Among the architectural structures portrayed on the Good side are a church, a schoolhouse, a peaceful home, and a college with an American flag flying above it. The key words for the path to Good and the Eternal Life through "The Word" are: OBEDIENCE TO PARENTS AND TEACHERS, TRUTH, WISDOM, INDUSTRY, HEALTH, AVOIDING EVIL, RIGHTEOUSNESS, PURE OF HEART, FAITH IN CHRIST, HUMILITY, .Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth/ the heart. (Proverbs 21:2).toward THE WORD.
The other path has the child turning right up the left side of the print and starts with “disobedience to parents and teachers,” leads from the House of Sin to a tavern, a States Prison to Destruction and Everlasting Punishment. The path to destruction depicts a demon with a pitchfork among the fires of Hell and includes the words: DISOBEDIENCE TO PARENTS AND TEACHERS, DISEASE, SHAME, LUSTING, , DEATH, VANITY, PROFANE, IGNORANCE, LYING PRIDE, FALSE, GAMBLING, GAMING, RUM, INTEMPERANCE, FIGHTING, DUELING, HYPOCRISY, CHEATING, SWEARING, FORGERY, ADULTRY, ROBBERY, MURDER, GALLOWS, EVERLASTING PUNISHMENT, and DISTRUCTION.
This pictorial map for children vividly illustrates the moral choices in life, according to the teachings of Christianity. This genre had been popularized by two German-American printers in Pennsylvania, Gustav S. Peters of Harrisburg and Herman William Villee in Lancaster. Hailer’s distinctive map belongs to this local tradition.
John Hailer (1825-1906) was an artist and publisher, though he may also have had other professions as his Civil War draft record indicates in 1863 he was a currier. His firm was located in Bath, Northampton County, Pennsylvania.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1862
maker
Hailer, John
ID Number
DL.60.2955
catalog number
60.2955
accession number
228146
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date published
1866
inscribed date
1869-06-17
1864
1865
1878
1880-01-01
ID Number
DL.033663A
catalog number
33663A
accession number
70138
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date published
1849 or later
inscribed date
1869-06-17
printer
Eyre and Spottiswoode
ID Number
DL.033668A
catalog number
033668A
accession number
70138
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1860
stamped date
1862
ID Number
DL.070138.0065
catalog number
70138.0065
accession number
70138
This black and white print is of a life membership certificate issued to a Miss Emely Chamberlain by the Black River Conference, an Auxiliary to the Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The Black River Conference was organized in Watertown, N. Y.
Description
This black and white print is of a life membership certificate issued to a Miss Emely Chamberlain by the Black River Conference, an Auxiliary to the Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The Black River Conference was organized in Watertown, N. Y. in September 1836, by Bishop Beverly Waugh and later incorporated in 1841. The Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church, begun in 1820 and headquartered in New York City, was among the earliest organizations that focused on mission within and outside the United States. Miss Emely Chamberlain could be one of several individuals living in New York with the name of Emely Chamberlin or Chamberlain during this period. The certificate indicates a monetary charge for the membership.
There are three vignettes depicting religious scenes: a large one at the top and two smaller ones in the lower corners. The top of the print proclaims, “Come Over Into Macedonia And Help Us,” while below it appears a figure of Christ motioning to two reclining followers. The scene in the lower left corner appears to represent worshippers from the Old Testament, while the images in the lower right corner portray a figure of Christ preaching to the multitudes.
The region of Macedonia was ruled by the Ottoman Empire from the 14th to the early 20th Centuries. In the latter half of the 19th century, Greece and the neighboring Balkan countries all claimed rights in Ottoman Macedonia on historical, linguistic, and religious grounds. Thus, they all attempted to show the strength of their respective ethnic groups in this geographically ill-defined area. The steady decline of the Ottoman Empire encouraged the Christian population and its supporters in other countries to press their claims. This print was produced by Major & Knapp Engraving, Manufacturing & Lithographic Company. The firm was founded by Napoleon Sarony (1821–1896), who was born in Quebec and trained under several lithography firms, including Currier & Ives and H.R. Robinson. Sarony was also known for his successful experiments in early photography, and he eventually developed a cabinet-sized camera. In 1846, Sarony partnered with another former apprentice of Nathaniel Currier, Henry B. Major, and created Sarony & Major lithography firm. Joseph F. Knapp (1832-1891) joined the firm in 1857. Sarony, Major & Knapp earned a solid reputation for lithography, and the company was especially known for its fine art chromolithography. Sarony left the firm by 1867 and by the 1870s, the firm shifted had focus to the more profitable area of advertising. It also expanded to become the conglomerate known as the American Lithographic Company, successfully producing calendars, advertising cards, and posters. In 1930 it was bought out by Consolidated Graphics.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1867
issuer
Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church
maker
Major & Knapp Engraving, Manufacturing & Lithographic Company
ID Number
DL.60.2925
catalog number
60.2925
accession number
228146
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date published
1863
inscribed date
1866-12-25
ID Number
DL.59.0300
catalog number
59.0300
accession number
222949
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date published
1860
inscribed date
1865-01-01
publisher
D. Appleton and Company
ID Number
DL.033669
catalog number
033669
accession number
70138
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date published
1860
inscribed date
1865-01-01
publisher
D. Appleton and Company
ID Number
DL.033671
catalog number
033671
accession number
70138
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date published
1850 - 1865
ID Number
DL.033668B
catalog number
033668B
accession number
70138
Footed circular bowl with flared sides and everted rim reeded along its under edge on a circular, ogee-molded base with tall, incurved stem.
Description
Footed circular bowl with flared sides and everted rim reeded along its under edge on a circular, ogee-molded base with tall, incurved stem. Rounded underside of bowl struck with touchmark of "ROSWELL GLEASON" in incuse roman letters.
One of four pieces - a flagon, pair of chalices and baptismal bowl, 1986.0027.62-.65 - from the First Methodist Church of Greenfield, MA.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1822 - 1860
ca 1835
ID Number
1986.0027.65
catalog number
1986.0027.65
accession number
1986.0027
This large alkaline-glazed stoneware jar was made in 1862 by David Drake, an enslaved black potter working on Lewis Miles’ plantation pottery in the Edgefield District of South Carolina.
Description
This large alkaline-glazed stoneware jar was made in 1862 by David Drake, an enslaved black potter working on Lewis Miles’ plantation pottery in the Edgefield District of South Carolina. In a state that outlawed literacy among people who were enslaved, Dave defiantly proclaimed his ability to read and write by signing his name and sometimes inscribing poetry on the stoneware vessels he made.
One of the most distinctive aspects of ante-bellum Edgefield was the presence of a large number of skilled people who were enslaved working as potters. Edgefield was one of only two areas in the United States known to have relied heavily on enslaved labor to manufacture utilitarian stoneware in large-scale potteries. Edgefield potteries furnished the large local plantations with the vessels needed for the preparation and storage of food for the planters and for the thousands of enslaved people working as agricultural and skilled laborers.
While some of the enslaved people performed unskilled jobs in the potteries—such as digging and preparing clay and loading kilns—most were “turners,” performing the highly skilled work of forming ware on a potter’s wheel. At least 40 enslaved potters and pottery laborers are known to have worked in potteries in Edgefield between about 1815 and 1880. Some scholars believe over a hundred more may some day be identified.
David Drake is the only enslaved potter known to have signed and dated his work. He was educated by his first enslaver, stoneware maker and newspaper editor Abner Landrum, and may have worked at Landrum’s newspaper, the Edgefield Hive, as a typesetter. When Landrum left the Edgefield area in 1831, Dave was sold to Lewis Miles, another large-scale pottery owner.
Dave was a master potter, regularly producing massive storage jars and jugs that required enormous skill and strength. About twenty surviving Dave pieces are inscribed with Dave’s original two line poems—wonderful and sometimes cryptic ruminations on topics as diverse as pots, love, money, spirituality, life as a slave, and the afterlife. The poems reflect Dave’s intelligence, creativity, and wit.
The poem on this jar, “I made this jar all of cross, If you don[’]t repent you will be lost,” may be a reference to the Bible, Acts 2: 14-42, Peter’s speech at Pentecost in the temple of Herod at Jerusalem. This jar, the last known poem piece, emphasizes the importance of religion and the afterlife in the daily life of many slaves. John Michael Vlach highlights this jar in The Afro-American Tradition in Decorative Arts, conjecturing that its “highly poignant verse” reflects "Dave’s combined feelings about slavery and religion.” On the reverse side, the jar is inscribed “May 3, 1862/ LM Dave.”
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1862-05-03
maker
Drake, David
ID Number
1996.0344.01
catalog number
1996.0344.01
accession number
1996.0344
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1860
ID Number
PG.66.24.30
catalog number
66.24.30
accession number
263090

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