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.

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
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
This sheet music is for the song “Just a Baby's Prayer at Twilight (for Her Daddy Over There).” The song was written by Sam M. Lewis and Joe Young, and the music was composed by M.K. Jerome. The sheet music was published by Waterson, Berlin and Snyder Co.
Description

This sheet music is for the song “Just a Baby's Prayer at Twilight (for Her Daddy Over There).” The song was written by Sam M. Lewis and Joe Young, and the music was composed by M.K. Jerome. The sheet music was published by Waterson, Berlin and Snyder Co. of New York, New York in 1918. The cover features an illustration of a young girl kneeling on her bed in prayer, which is signed by Barbelle.

The cover art for this sheet music was made by American artist and designer Albert Wilfred Barbelle (1887-1957). With a prolific career spanning over forty years, Barbelle created cover art for sheet music and albums.

Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1918
lyricist
Lewis, Sam M.
Young, Joe
composer
Jerome, Maurice Kraus
publisher
Waterson, Berlin & Snyder Co.
ID Number
1983.0313.07
accession number
1983.0313
catalog number
1983.0313.07
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
This sheet music is for the song “Easter Sunday with You,” words and music by Don Reid and Henry Tobias. It was published by Leo Feist, Inc. in New York, New York in 1944.Currently not on view
Description
This sheet music is for the song “Easter Sunday with You,” words and music by Don Reid and Henry Tobias. It was published by Leo Feist, Inc. in New York, New York in 1944.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1944
lyricist; composer
Reid, Don
Tobias, Henry
publisher
Leo Feist, Inc.
ID Number
1983.0529.02
accession number
1983.0529
catalog number
1983.0529.02
This sheet music is for the sonfg “Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition!” with words and music by Frank Loesser. It was published by Famous Music Corp.
Description

This sheet music is for the sonfg “Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition!” with words and music by Frank Loesser. It was published by Famous Music Corp. in New York, New York in 1942.

On a Sunday morning in December 1941, a chaplain had his most difficult assignment — to say a prayer to sailors aboard a U.S. navy ship actively under low–flying attack by the enemy firing from all directions. He quickly realized the best he could do was walk the ammunition line saying, “Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition!” Stories of the overheard phrase quickly turned into legend and passed between soldiers, eventually reaching the press and one Broadway composer and lyricist, Frank Loesser. He served in the Radio Productions Unit charged with mounting shows of popular guest stars for boosting morale of the troops.

With the phrase as the song title, he combined the stories into one set of lyrics — fact mattered not as much as the need to inspire spirit. By 1943, the song, performed by Kay Kaiser and His Orchestra, had reached no. 1 on the Billboard chart, surpassing its peak of no. 8 the previous year when performed by the Merry Macs. Loesser donated his royalties for sale of the song to the Navy Relief Society. The chaplain originally quoted wished to remain anonymous, and the episode to remain legend. Many variations on the tale, the name of the chaplain, whether or not he himself manned a gun turret to participate in the battle, and the battle's whereabouts have existed over the years.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1942
composer
Loesser, Frank
depicted
Kyser, Kay
lyricist
Loesser, Frank
publisher
Famous Music Corp.
ID Number
1983.0424.108
accession number
1983.0424
catalog number
1983.0424.108
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
date made
1884
publisher
Kaufmann, Ernst
ID Number
2012.0093.28
accession number
2012.0093
catalog number
2012.0093.28
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
This sheet music is for the song “Eli, Eli,” the opening words of Psalms 22:2, arranged and sung by Cantor Joseph Rosenblatt. It was published in New York, New York in 1919. Josef "Yossele" Rosenblatt (1882-1933) was a Ukrainian-born cantor and composer.Currently not on view
Description
This sheet music is for the song “Eli, Eli,” the opening words of Psalms 22:2, arranged and sung by Cantor Joseph Rosenblatt. It was published in New York, New York in 1919. Josef "Yossele" Rosenblatt (1882-1933) was a Ukrainian-born cantor and composer.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1919
arranger
Rosenblatt, Joseph
ID Number
1986.0961.03
accession number
1986.0961
catalog number
1986.0961.03
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
This colored print depicts Adam and Eve, downcast beside a small lake. A distraught Eve is naked and kneeling on the ground. Adam is standing and fashioning a covering of branches to hide his nakedness and shame.
Description
This colored print depicts Adam and Eve, downcast beside a small lake. A distraught Eve is naked and kneeling on the ground. Adam is standing and fashioning a covering of branches to hide his nakedness and shame. A sylvan setting of trees and gentle hills forms the background.
The Expulsion represents the passage from the book of Genesis (3:22-24) after the Fall. That is, after Adam and Eve have eaten of the fruit which God has forbidden them to eat, they are cast out of the Garden of Eden and into the world where they are forced to labor and suffer the consequences of their sin. This scene encapsulates the central tenet of Christianity: only by repenting and following the teachings of Christ, can mankind obtain salvation.
This print was produced by James S. Baillie, who was active in New York from 1838 to 1855. James Baillie started as a framer in 1838, and then became an artist and lithographer in 1843 or 1844. He discovered how to color lithographs while working as an independent contractor for Currier & Ives in the mid 1840s. He was a prolific lithographer and colorist for Currier & Ives, and his prints were extremely popular with a wide distribution. James Baillie spent his later years concentrating on painting instead of lithography.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1846
depicted
Adam
Eve
maker
Baillie, James S.
ID Number
DL.60.2972
catalog number
60.2972
accession number
228146
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1940-12
date made
1940
publisher; distributor
Radio City Music Hall
maker
Radio City Music Hall
ID Number
1982.0745.18
accession number
1982.0745
catalog number
1982.0745.18
This sheet music for the song "The Lord Is My Shepherd (23rd Psalm)" was written and composed by John B. Marsh and published by the William. A. Pond and Co. of New York, New York in 1898.
Description
This sheet music for the song "The Lord Is My Shepherd (23rd Psalm)" was written and composed by John B. Marsh and published by the William. A. Pond and Co. of New York, New York in 1898. This cover is plain paper with black text, but the phrase “The Lord” is underlined by the image of a shepherd’s staff. The contralto solo was written with affectionate regard to Mr. Warren Pond.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1898
composer
Marsh, John B.
publisher
William A. Pond & Co.
ID Number
1982.0439.35
accession number
1982.0439
catalog number
1982.0439.35
This sheet music for the song "The Shepherd Boy" was written and composed by G. D. Wilson. The song was published by the Armstrong Music Co. of New York, New York in 1903.
Description
This sheet music for the song "The Shepherd Boy" was written and composed by G. D. Wilson. The song was published by the Armstrong Music Co. of New York, New York in 1903. The cover features an illustration of a shepherd boy sitting on rocks among sheep and doing his best to woo a girl.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1903
composer
Wilson, G. D.
publisher
Armstrong Music Publishing Company
ID Number
1982.0439.30
accession number
1982.0439
catalog number
1982.0439.30
This colored print depicts a large genealogical tree depicting the early history of the world, with a table showing the lineage of the Biblical patriarchs, from the creation of Adam to the Deluge.
Description
This colored print depicts a large genealogical tree depicting the early history of the world, with a table showing the lineage of the Biblical patriarchs, from the creation of Adam to the Deluge. “Antediluvian” means “before the flood” and refers to the period before the Deluge as described in Genesis 6:11-9.19 of the Bible.
This print was produced by Endicott and Company, the successor to the New York firm of Geo. & Wm. Endicott Lithographers. George (1802-1848) and William Endicott (1816-1851) were born in Canton, Massachusetts. George Endicott began working as a lithographer in New York in 1828. He partnered with Moses Swett in the company Endicott & Swett from 1830 to 1834. William Endicott joined the company in 1841. Following George Endicott's death in 1848, the firm continued operating as William Endicott & Co. Francis Endicott (born ca. 1834) worked at the company from 1852 to 1886, and George Endicott, Jr. ran the firm from 1887 to 1891.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1873
designer
Doxsee, A.
maker
Endicott and Company
ID Number
DL.60.2400
catalog number
60.2400
accession number
228146
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date published
1836
ID Number
DL.033664
catalog number
033664
accession number
70138
This black and white print is of a life membership to a Mr. Philip J.A. Harper issued by the Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Description
This black and white print is of a life membership to a Mr. Philip J.A. Harper issued by the Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The Society, begun in 1820 and headquartered in New York City, was among the earliest organizations that focused on mission within and outside the United States. It initially worked to convert Native Americans and slaves before extending its activities to inhabitants of West Africa and elsewhere overseas.
A vignette depicting missionary activity appears above the text that was inspired by the Society’s proselytizing during the 19th Century. On the right side is a depiction of Native Americans and Africans who were “saved” due to the preaching of a missionary. The left side shows the damnation that comes to those who fail to hear God’s word. Above the scene floats a triumphant angel sent by God who is blowing a trumpet, Bible in hand.
This print was produced by Nathaniel Currier (1813-1888). Currier was the founder of the company that eventually became the Currier & Ives lithography firm. At the age of fifteen Currier apprenticed with the Pendleton lithography firm in New York City. Five years later he moved to Philadelphia to work with the lithographer M.E.D. Brown (1810-1896). After a year Currier moved back to New York, where he intended on going into business with one of the Pendleton brothers. Instead he formed a partnership in 1834 with Adam Stodart who was in the sheet music business. Within a year he opened his own lithography company on Wall Street and then moved to Nassau and Spruce. In 1852 a bookkeeper named James Merritt Ives joined the firm. He married Charles Currier’s sister-in-law and brought to the firm a critical eye and business acumen. In five years he had become a partner. Currier & Ives would become arguably the most successful and prodigious lithography firm of the 19th century. Although especially well known for prints celebrating American landscapes and pastimes like sailing and ice skating, Currier & Ives also produced lithographs that featured current events, social issues and political controversies
Location
Currently on loan
Date made
1848
issuer
Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church
maker
Currier, Nathaniel
ID Number
DL.60.2929
catalog number
60.2929
accession number
228146
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date published
1845
inscribed date
1847-05-20
publisher
D. Appleton and Company
ID Number
DL.033665
catalog number
033665
accession number
70138
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
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date book published
1886
date corner covers made
1887
inscribed date
1888-04-01
printer
Eyre and Spottiswoode
maker
Gorham Manufacturing Company
ID Number
DL.033670B
catalog number
33670B
accession number
70138

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