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
Women's Jewish Welfare Board (JWB) uniform from World War I, consisting of hat, coat, shirtwaist, tie, skirt, and insignia. Coat and skirt are olive green wool gabardine, shirt is white dimity, hat is blue cotton, and tie is blue silk.
Description
Women's Jewish Welfare Board (JWB) uniform from World War I, consisting of hat, coat, shirtwaist, tie, skirt, and insignia. Coat and skirt are olive green wool gabardine, shirt is white dimity, hat is blue cotton, and tie is blue silk. Metal "U.S." insignia on coat lapel and cloth "J.W.B." patch with Star of David background on shouler and hat. Donated by the Jewish Welfare Board through The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America.
The Jewish Welfare Board (JWB) was organized shortly after America’s entry into World War I, consolidating religious groups in the Jewish community to become an official agency to work with the War Department through its Commission on Training Camp Activities. It was modeled after the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) and the Knights of Columbus, and other organizations that in World War I adapted military-like uniforms for women and men volunteers. The JWB built buildings and stocked libraries on army installations and distributed books, articles, Bibles, and prayer books supplied through its affiliation with the Jewish Publication Society. It established community branches in the “second line of defense,” by supporting Jewish workers in the shipyards, arsenals, and other military plants and factories, as well as hospitals and universities where the government had taken over under military regulations. Following the Armistice, under direction of the Navy Department, the JWB transferred its peacetime work to veteran’s hospitals and enlarged Jewish community centers.
associated date
1914-1918
ID Number
1998.0165.25.01
catalog number
1998.0165.25.01.01
1998.0165.25.01.02
accession number
1998.0165
catalog number
1998.0165.25.01
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
Charcoal sketch on paper of German dugouts and shelters built on the side of a hill near Varennes, France. Shell-torn buildings are visible at the top of the hill at center. Railroad tracks run next to the hill at right.
Description
Charcoal sketch on paper of German dugouts and shelters built on the side of a hill near Varennes, France. Shell-torn buildings are visible at the top of the hill at center. Railroad tracks run next to the hill at right. On the left at the top of a set of stairs is apparently a makeshift cemetery with several crosses for gravestones. People can be seen walking among the various shelters and dugouts on the hill.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-10
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
War Department
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25834
catalog number
25834
accession number
64592
This reed organ was made by Estey Organ Company, in Brattleboro, Vermont, around 1935-1940. It is a portable or “Chaplain’s” reed organ, serial number 491204. There is a printed label inside the lid:ESTEY ORGAN COMPANYManufacturersBRATTLEBORO, VERMONT, U.S.A.No.
Description

This reed organ was made by Estey Organ Company, in Brattleboro, Vermont, around 1935-1940. It is a portable or “Chaplain’s” reed organ, serial number 491204. There is a printed label inside the lid:

ESTEY ORGAN COMPANY
Manufacturers
BRATTLEBORO, VERMONT, U.S.A.
No. 491204
1782

(decal on music desk):

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1935 -1940
maker
Estey Organ Company
ID Number
1998.0031.01
catalog number
1998.0031.01
accession number
1998.0031
serial number
491204
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2008.0155.02
accession number
2008.0155
catalog number
2008.0155.02
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2008.3060.02
nonaccession number
2008.3060
catalog number
2008.3060.02
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
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
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2008.0155.04
accession number
2008.0155
catalog number
2008.0155.04
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
Charcoal sketch on paper. A large cross is surrounded by several smaller crosses, some bearing wreaths or ribbons, in the foreground. A group of soldiers is resting among the crosses. Some men appear to be eating.
Description
Charcoal sketch on paper. A large cross is surrounded by several smaller crosses, some bearing wreaths or ribbons, in the foreground. A group of soldiers is resting among the crosses. Some men appear to be eating. A group of soldiers, on foot and on horseback, ascend a small hill in the background. At the end of this procession is a large piece of artillery. On the right of the sketch is a crater; some soldiers are walking up and out of the depression while others are at work inside the crater.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-09
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
maker
Morgan, Wallace
ID Number
AF.25783
catalog number
25783
accession number
64592
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
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
1918
ID Number
CL.302600
catalog number
302600
accession number
62178
Physical DescriptionAbridged Prayer Book for Jews in the Armed Forces of the United States, in drab green boards, 360 pp.Specific HistoryThis prayer book was owned by Sergeant Jules Herstein. He listed his military service on the inside back cover.
Description
Physical Description
Abridged Prayer Book for Jews in the Armed Forces of the United States, in drab green boards, 360 pp.
Specific History
This prayer book was owned by Sergeant Jules Herstein. He listed his military service on the inside back cover. He served five years from his induction in June 1940 until his discharge on December 5, 1945.
associated dates
1940-06-01-1945-12-05
user
Herstein, Sergeant Jules
ID Number
1993.0505.01
catalog number
1993.0505.01
accession number
1993.0505
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1917
ID Number
ZZ.RSN82667U07
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-10-18
maker
Signal Corps' Army Pictorial Service and Army Communications Service
ID Number
2013.0327.0698
accession number
2013.0327
catalog number
2013.0327.0698
Physical DescriptionBound printed paper.Specific HistoryThe Army and Navy Prayer of the Confederate States, printed in Richmond in 1865.
Description
Physical Description
Bound printed paper.
Specific History
The Army and Navy Prayer of the Confederate States, printed in Richmond in 1865.
date made
1865
associated date
1861 - 1862
ID Number
AF.123042
catalog number
1860
accession number
17461
catalog number
123042
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date printed
2021
date made
2005-04
maker
Berman, Nina
ID Number
2021.0057.0028
accession number
2021.0057
catalog number
2021.0057.0028
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-11-05
maker
Signal Corps' Army Pictorial Service and Army Communications Service
ID Number
2013.0327.0656
catalog number
2013.0327.0656
accession number
2013.0327

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