Religion

Page from the Koran

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.

Place: New York

“In the Chapel in the Moonlight”

This sheet music is for the song “In the Chapel in the Moonlight” written and composed by Billy Hill. The song was published by Shapiro, Bernstein & Company Inc. of New York City in 1936.
Description

This sheet music is for the song “In the Chapel in the Moonlight” written and composed by Billy Hill. The song was published by Shapiro, Bernstein & Company Inc. of New York City in 1936. The bright yellow cover features an illustration of a man standing in a chapel in the moonlight, signed by Barbelle. There is a large inset photograph of performer Phil Regan on the right of the cover.

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
1936
composer; lyricist
Hill, Billy
publisher
Shapiro, Bernstein & Co., Inc.
ID Number
1983.0313.09
accession number
1983.0313
catalog number
1983.0313.09

“Easter Parade”

This sheet music is for the song “Easter Parade” from the revue show As Thousands Cheer. Irving Berlin wrote the lyrics and composed the music to the song. Irving Berlin Inc.
Description (Brief)
This sheet music is for the song “Easter Parade” from the revue show As Thousands Cheer. Irving Berlin wrote the lyrics and composed the music to the song. Irving Berlin Inc. of New York City published this sheet music in 1933.The bright red cover has a bottom silhouette illustration of people jubilantly marching in the Easter parade.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1933
composer
Berlin, Irving
publisher
Irving Berlin, Inc.
ID Number
1983.0424.144
accession number
1983.0424
catalog number
1983.0424.144

“White Christmas”

This sheet music is for the song “White Christmas” from the film Holiday Inn. Irving Berlin wrote and composed the song, and Irving Berlin Inc. published this sheet music in 1942.
Description (Brief)
This sheet music is for the song “White Christmas” from the film Holiday Inn. Irving Berlin wrote and composed the song, and Irving Berlin Inc. published this sheet music in 1942. The cover has several different still photographs from the film, which starred Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Marjorie Reynolds, and Virginia Dale.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1942
composer
Berlin, Irving
publisher
Irving Berlin, Inc.
ID Number
1983.0424.148
accession number
1983.0424
catalog number
1983.0424.148

Church, Auriesville, NY

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1964
maker
Plowden, David
ID Number
1986.0711.0706
accession number
1986.0711
catalog number
1986.0711.0706

“The Maiden's Prayer”

This sheet music is for the song “The Maiden's Prayer” which was composed by Thécla (Tekla) Badarzewska in 1856. The sheet music was published by the Armstrong Music Publishing Company in the early 1900s.
Description (Brief)
This sheet music is for the song “The Maiden's Prayer” which was composed by Thécla (Tekla) Badarzewska in 1856. The sheet music was published by the Armstrong Music Publishing Company in the early 1900s. The white and red cover features an inset illustration of a maiden kneeling before a cross and candles in front of her window, as light shines down on her face. This song was published in Polish and French prior to being published in English, which is why the sub-title is “La Priére D’une Vierge.”
Location
Currently not on view
composer
Badarzewska, Thecla
publisher
Armstrong Music Publishing Company
ID Number
1983.0424.015
accession number
1983.0424
catalog number
1983.0424.015

“The Troubles of the Reuben and the Maid”

This sheet music is for the song “The Troubles of the Reuben and the Maid.” The lyrics were written by J. Cheever Goodwin and the music was composed by Maurice Levi. The sheet music was published by The Rogers Brothers Music Publishing Company in 1902.
Description (Brief)
This sheet music is for the song “The Troubles of the Reuben and the Maid.” The lyrics were written by J. Cheever Goodwin and the music was composed by Maurice Levi. The sheet music was published by The Rogers Brothers Music Publishing Company in 1902. The cover features inset illustrations from the song, and the cover is signed by Starmer. The tune came from the musical farce “The Rogers Brothers in Harvard” that was created by John J. McNally.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1902
lyricist
Goodwin, J. Cheever
composer
Levi, Maurice
publisher
Rogers Brothers
ID Number
1983.0424.051
accession number
1983.0424
catalog number
1983.0424.051

“There's A Quaker Down in Quaker Town”

This sheet music for the song "There's A Quaker Down in Quaker Town" was written by David Berg and composed by Alfred Soloman. The music was published by the Joe Morris Music Company of New York, New York in 1916.
Description
This sheet music for the song "There's A Quaker Down in Quaker Town" was written by David Berg and composed by Alfred Soloman. The music was published by the Joe Morris Music Company of New York, New York in 1916. The blue cover features an illustrated image of a Quaker girl walking through a village, with an image of four white flowers to her right.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1916
composer
Soloman, Alfred
lyricist
Berg, David
publisher
Joe Morris Music Company
ID Number
1982.0439.06
accession number
1982.0439
1982.0439
catalog number
1982.0439.06

A Reflection - at Cathedral St. John the Divine

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Falk, Sam
ID Number
PG.69.99.040
accession number
281224
catalog number
69.99.40

Daguerreotype of Unitarian Congregational Church, New York City

Daguerreotype of Unitarian Congregational Church, New York City. On the Washington Square campus of the New York University, Samuel F.B. Morse and Dr. John W. Draper operated together one of the first American photographic studios for a short time, from 1839 to the early 1840s.
Description
Daguerreotype of Unitarian Congregational Church, New York City. On the Washington Square campus of the New York University, Samuel F.B. Morse and Dr. John W. Draper operated together one of the first American photographic studios for a short time, from 1839 to the early 1840s. Collaborating on this quarter-plate daguerreotype, the partners achieved a clear photograph of the Unitarian Congregational Church of the Messiah, on the east side of Broadway across Waverly Place, New York City, from their rooftop studio in the fall of 1839 or winter of 1840. Morse quickly refocused his professional career on the perfection of a working telegraph, while Dr. Draper continued to work in scientific photography with his sons for the remainder of his academic career at the University.
Curatorial Note 10.24.2013: It may be contested that this image is taken from a rooftop because so much of the street is visible. It can be argued that the camera was at ground level. stp
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1839-1840
photographer
Draper, John William
ID Number
PG.72.72.B155
catalog number
72.72.B155
accession number
304826

Elder's Credentials

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1880
associated date
1880
1940
ID Number
PL.026182
catalog number
026182

LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1910 - 1930
ID Number
CL.306787.20
accession number
306787
catalog number
306787.20

JESUS SAID I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1900 - 1920
ID Number
CL.306787.23
accession number
306787
catalog number
306787.23

Methodist Hymnal, The

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1925
associated date
1905
maker
Methodist Book Concern
ID Number
CL.306787.80
accession number
306787
catalog number
306787.80

CHRIST IS ALL

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1910 - 1930
ID Number
CL.306787.22
accession number
306787
catalog number
306787.22

DAYSPRING 73 / GOSPEL-FOLK-ROCK

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1973
ID Number
CL.306787.15
accession number
306787
catalog number
306787.15

Holy Bible, King James Version

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1940
maker
World Publishing Co.
ID Number
CL.306787.60
accession number
306787
catalog number
306787.60

JESUS NEVER FAILS

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1910 - 1930
ID Number
CL.306787.21
accession number
306787
catalog number
306787.21

DI IDISHE SHPROKH

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1918
ID Number
1993.0102.013
catalog number
1993.0102.013
accession number
1993.0102

The Book of Common Prayer

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date published
1858
publisher
D. Appleton and Company
ID Number
ZZ.RSN82667U04

The Holy Bible

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1880 - 1890
ID Number
ZZ.RSN82667U02

Wooster Family Bible

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1806
ID Number
2015.0084.01
catalog number
2015.0084.01
accession number
2015.0084

Ecumenical Symbol for the Hindu Temple Society of North America

The Hindu Temple Society of North America was founded in 1970 and became one of the first and most prominent Hindu temples in the New York City area. It was built with traditional granite stones imported from India.
Description
The Hindu Temple Society of North America was founded in 1970 and became one of the first and most prominent Hindu temples in the New York City area. It was built with traditional granite stones imported from India. This prototype of the temple’s religious symbol was once carved into the façade of the building, and represents religious diversity through five major faiths – Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism – all surrounding and illuminated by the lamp of knowledge and acceptance, a symbol of Universalism.
date made
ca 1970
ID Number
2016.0049.01
catalog number
2016.0049.01
accession number
2016.0049

Detail of Rheims Cathedral, France

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930s-1940s
ID Number
2013.0327.0617
accession number
2013.0327
catalog number
2013.0327.0617

Fan-style mechanical trade card advertisement for Abie's Irish Rose

This fan-style mechanical trade card advertises the original Broadway production of the comedic play Abie’s Irish Rose, one of the most successful and important plays of the 20th century.
Description (Brief)
This fan-style mechanical trade card advertises the original Broadway production of the comedic play Abie’s Irish Rose, one of the most successful and important plays of the 20th century. The card is comprised of three leaf-shaped die cut cardboard sections joined with a metal grommet at the bottom, allowing the user to fan out each of the three pieces. The card is printed in green and pink ink on the front with images of a rose and the title of the play, as well as the name of its author, Anne Nichols. The back is printed with information about the production: “Now Playing at / Republic Theatre / NEW YORK / West 42nd St. / Evenings 8:30 – Mats. Wed. and Sat. 2:30 / THIRD YEAR”.
Abie’s Irish Rose was an enormously popular mixed marriage farce that spoke to contemporary cultural anxieties about immigration, assimilation, and ethnic identity. Written by Anne Nichols, the play tells the story of a couple comprised of a Jewish man and Irish woman navigating familial and societal prejudice while marrying and raising a family in contemporary New York City. The lead characters’ audacious and escalating lies to hide their relationship from their bigoted fathers culminates in an absurd climax of multiple marriages and religious reconciliation. The show premiered May 23, 1922 at the Fulton Theatre and ran for 2,327 performances before closing at The Republic in 1927, making it the longest running play in Broadway history until surpassed by Hello, Dolly in the 1960s. The sentimental comedy was seen by an estimated 11 million audience members in its Broadway and national touring productions.
Abie’s Irish Rose was adapted for film in 1928 and again in 1946, a weekly radio show in the 1940s, and revived on Broadway in 1937 and 1954. Nichols sued Universal Studios for plagiarism for making the 1926 film The Cohens and Kellys, a film with a similar plot premise. In the landmark 1930 US Court of Appeals case Nichols v. Universal Pictures Corp., Judge Learned Hand wrote the opinion for the court, holding that copyright protection cannot be extended to stock characters in a story in the case of non-literal copying of a dramatic work.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1925
ID Number
2023.0082.01
accession number
2023.0082
catalog number
2023.0082.01

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