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.

Physical DescriptionSong and Service Book for Ship and Field, Army and Navy, edited by Ivan Loveridge Bennett.
Description
Physical Description
Song and Service Book for Ship and Field, Army and Navy, edited by Ivan Loveridge Bennett. Gilt title on maroon boards, 192 pp.
General History
The Song and Service Book for Ship and Field, Army and Navy, edited by Ivan Loveridge Bennett, features prayers, hymns, and patriotic songs used in various military ceremonies and religious services.
date made
1942
printer
U.S. Government Printing Office
ID Number
1982.0372.01
accession number
1982.0372
catalog number
1982.0372.01
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1937
maker
Kloss, Gene
ID Number
GA.19276
catalog number
19276
accession number
170056
The Southernaires. side 1: Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray; side 2: Steal Away to Jesus (Decca 2856), from the album, The Southernaires in a Recital of Spirituals (Decca 83).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
The Southernaires. side 1: Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray; side 2: Steal Away to Jesus (Decca 2856), from the album, The Southernaires in a Recital of Spirituals (Decca 83).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1939
recording artist
Southernaires
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1996.0320.05286
maker number
2856
83
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05286
ID Number
2013.0152.01
accession number
2013.0152
catalog number
2013.0152.01
Religion has an essential role in military history, which is reflected in military material. Steel-covered New Testaments were popular keepsake gifts for soldiers going off to fight in World War II.
Description
Religion has an essential role in military history, which is reflected in military material. Steel-covered New Testaments were popular keepsake gifts for soldiers going off to fight in World War II. Advertised in newspapers and magazines as protection from bullets, the small books were designed to be carried in the pocket over one's heart as both symbol and shield.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1996.0217.01
accession number
1996.0217
catalog number
1996.0217.01
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c. 1930
c.1930
Associated Date
c. 1930
maker
Nash, Willard
ID Number
GA.22251
catalog number
22251
accession number
272554
The Southernaires. side 1: Gonna Shout All Over God's Heaven; side 2: Nobody Knows THE TROUBLE I'VE SEEN (Decca 2859), from the album, "The Southernaires in a Recital of Spirituals" (Decca 83).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
The Southernaires. side 1: Gonna Shout All Over God's Heaven; side 2: Nobody Knows THE TROUBLE I'VE SEEN (Decca 2859), from the album, "The Southernaires in a Recital of Spirituals" (Decca 83).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1939
recording artist
Southernaires
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1996.0320.05289
maker number
2859
83
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05289
McCravy Brothers. side 1: Jacob's Ladder; side 2: Dip Me in the Golden Sea (Davis DA-20-1/2), from the album, Religious Songs by the McCravy Brothers (Davis DA-20).78 rpm. Side 1 was recorded in 1930 and initially released on Crown 3078.
Description

McCravy Brothers. side 1: Jacob's Ladder; side 2: Dip Me in the Golden Sea (Davis DA-20-1/2), from the album, Religious Songs by the McCravy Brothers (Davis DA-20).
78 rpm. Side 1 was recorded in 1930 and initially released on Crown 3078. Side 2 was recorded in 1931 and initially released on Crown 3205.

Crown Records was a budget label started by the Plaza Music Company after its merger with the American Record Corporation (ARC) in 1930. Crown oversaw the Homestead Records mail order label from ARC. Crown and its subsidiaries were active until 1933.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1930
1931
date made
1930 - 1931
recording artist
McCravy Brothers
manufacturer
Davis
ID Number
1996.0320.05185
maker number
DA-20-1/2
DA-20
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05185
McCravy Brothers. side 1: When They Ring the Golden Bells; side 2: Will the Circle Be Unbroken? (Davis DA-20-3/4), from the album, Religious Songs by the McCravy Brothers (Davis DA-20).78 rpm.
Description

McCravy Brothers. side 1: When They Ring the Golden Bells; side 2: Will the Circle Be Unbroken? (Davis DA-20-3/4), from the album, Religious Songs by the McCravy Brothers (Davis DA-20).
78 rpm. This coupling was initially released on Crown 3040.

Crown Records was a budget label started by the Plaza Music Company after its merger with the American Record Corporation (ARC) in 1930. Crown oversaw the Homestead Records mail order label from ARC. Crown and its subsidiaries were active until 1933.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1930
recording artist
McCravy Brothers
manufacturer
Davis
ID Number
1996.0320.05186
maker number
DA-20-3/4
DA-20
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05186
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2008.0155.02
accession number
2008.0155
catalog number
2008.0155.02
Thomas A. Dorsey. side 1: If You See My Saviour; side 2: How About You (Vocalion 1710).78 rpm.
Description
Thomas A. Dorsey. side 1: If You See My Saviour; side 2: How About You (Vocalion 1710).
78 rpm.
date made
1932
recording artist
Dorsey, Thomas A.
maker
Vocalion
ID Number
2017.0015.01
accession number
2017.0015
catalog number
2017.0015.01
maker number
1710
This song book for 10 Jewish songs, compiled by Jacob Weinberg. It was published by Bloch Publishing Co. of New York, New York in 1933.Currently not on view
Description
This song book for 10 Jewish songs, compiled by Jacob Weinberg. It was published by Bloch Publishing Co. of New York, New York in 1933.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1933
publisher
Bloch Publishing & Printing Company
ID Number
1986.0961.07
accession number
1986.0961
catalog number
1986.0961.07
McCravy Brothers. side 1: One Night As I Lay Dreaming; side 2: I Want to Go There, Don't You? (Davis DA-20-7/8), from the album, Religious Songs by the McCravy Brothers (Davis DA-20).78 rpm. Side 1 was recorded in 1931 and initially released on Crown 3120.
Description

McCravy Brothers. side 1: One Night As I Lay Dreaming; side 2: I Want to Go There, Don't You? (Davis DA-20-7/8), from the album, Religious Songs by the McCravy Brothers (Davis DA-20).
78 rpm. Side 1 was recorded in 1931 and initially released on Crown 3120. Side 2 was recorded in 1930 and initially released on Crown 3078.

Crown Records was a budget label started by the Plaza Music Company after its merger with the American Record Corporation (ARC) in 1930. Crown oversaw the Homestead Records mail order label from ARC. Crown and its subsidiaries were active until 1933.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1931
1930
date made
1930 - 1931
recording artist
McCravy Brothers
manufacturer
Davis
ID Number
1996.0320.05188
maker number
DA-20-7/8
DA-20
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05188
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2008.3060.02
nonaccession number
2008.3060
catalog number
2008.3060.02
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2008.0155.05
accession number
2008.0155
catalog number
2008.0155.05
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2008.0155.03
accession number
2008.0155
catalog number
2008.0155.03
McCravy Brothers. side 1: (We Will Understand It Better) Bye and Bye; side 2: I Shall Not Be Move (Davis DA-20-5/6). from the album, Religious Songs by the McCravy Brothers (Davis DA-20).78 rpm. Side 1 was recorded in 1931 and initially released on Crown 3205.
Description

McCravy Brothers. side 1: (We Will Understand It Better) Bye and Bye; side 2: I Shall Not Be Move (Davis DA-20-5/6). from the album, Religious Songs by the McCravy Brothers (Davis DA-20).
78 rpm. Side 1 was recorded in 1931 and initially released on Crown 3205. Side 2 was recorded in 1930 and initially released on Crown 3041.

Crown Records was a budget label started by the Plaza Music Company after its merger with the American Record Corporation (ARC) in 1930. Crown oversaw the Homestead Records mail order label from ARC. Crown and its subsidiaries were active until 1933.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1931
1930
date made
1930 - 1931
recording artist
McCravy Brothers
manufacturer
Davis
ID Number
1996.0320.05187
maker number
DA-20-5/6
DA-20
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05187
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2008.0155.04
accession number
2008.0155
catalog number
2008.0155.04
The Southernaires. side 1: Little David Play on Your Harp; side 2: Roll Jordan Roll (Decca 2857), from the album, The Southernaires in a Recital of Spirituals (Decca 83).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
The Southernaires. side 1: Little David Play on Your Harp; side 2: Roll Jordan Roll (Decca 2857), from the album, The Southernaires in a Recital of Spirituals (Decca 83).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1939
recording artist
Southernaires
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1996.0320.05287
maker number
2857
83
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05287
A mourning picture embroidered by Susan Winn, about 1816, in Lititz, PA, and dedicated to her sister, Caroline, who died in 1806 as an infant. The circular embroidered picture is surrounded by a band of couched chenille decorated with gold spangles.
Description
A mourning picture embroidered by Susan Winn, about 1816, in Lititz, PA, and dedicated to her sister, Caroline, who died in 1806 as an infant. The circular embroidered picture is surrounded by a band of couched chenille decorated with gold spangles. It shows a woman, two girls, and a boy gathered around a cloth-draped urn on which is printed "rests in Peace." The woman and girls wear necklaces with pendants or plaques; the one worn by the girl on the right is lettered "SW." The boy holds a book on which is printed "Ble--ed are the Dead that die in the L---." Printed in blue ink on the front of the plinth is "Sacred to the Memory / of my dear Sister / CAROLINE WINN. / Sweet be Thy sepulchral rest / Sister dear! supremely blest! / May the ties which us unite / Be renew'd in realms of light! / Erected by Susan Winn." In a gilded wood frame, it measures 25" x 25", and its black mat is reverse-painted on the glass. The ground is twill-weave ivory silk, and the stitches are satin, long and short, stem, and couching.
Susan was born October 18, 1801, to John and Susanna Winn in Baltimore, Maryland. Her father was a flour merchant and entered Susan and Elizabeth in the Moravian boarding school, Linden Hall Seminary, in Lititz, Pennsylvania in 1815. Susan married John Reynolds on December 23, 1824.
Mourning designs appear in many 19th-century decorative arts, including needlework. Embroidered landscapes, usually worked by schoolgirls, often show relatives or friends grieving before a monument dedicated to a lost loved one. For more about this embroidery and other schoolgirl needlework, see Girlhood Embroidery, American Samplers & Pictorial Needlework by Betty Ring (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1993) and The "Ornamental Branches," Needlework and Arts from the Lititz Moravian Girls' School Between 1800 and 1865 by Patricia T. Herr (Lancaster, PA: The Heritage Center Museum of Lancaster County, 1996).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1816
associated dates
1938
maker
Winn, Susan
ID Number
TE.T08266
catalog number
T08266
accession number
148588
The Southernaires. side 1: Ezekial Saw De Wheel; side 2: Joshua Fit De Battle of Jericho (Decca 2858), from the album, The Southernaires in a Recital of Spirituals (Decca 83).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
The Southernaires. side 1: Ezekial Saw De Wheel; side 2: Joshua Fit De Battle of Jericho (Decca 2858), from the album, The Southernaires in a Recital of Spirituals (Decca 83).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1939
recording artist
Southernaires
manufacturer
Decca
ID Number
1996.0320.05288
maker number
2858
83
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05288
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2008.3060.03
nonaccession number
2008.3060
catalog number
2008.3060.03
Physical DescriptionBrass chalice with gold inlay.General HistoryChalices are used during the celebration of the Roman Catholic Mass. They bear the wine which represents the blood of Christ.
Description
Physical Description
Brass chalice with gold inlay.
General History
Chalices are used during the celebration of the Roman Catholic Mass. They bear the wine which represents the blood of Christ. Chaplains often celebrated Mass in the field for Catholic soldiers during active campaigns and before battles.
associated date
1941-1945
date obtained by donor
1946
ID Number
1981.0151.02
accession number
1981.0151
catalog number
1981.0151.02
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1930-01-09
maker
Bucher, William F.
ID Number
1986.0711.0218
catalog number
1986.0711
1986.0711.0218

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