Energy & Power
The Museum's collections on energy and power illuminate the role of fire, steam, wind, water, electricity, and the atom in the nation's history. The artifacts include wood-burning stoves, water turbines, and windmills, as well as steam, gas, and diesel engines. Oil-exploration and coal-mining equipment form part of these collections, along with a computer that controlled a power plant and even bubble chambers—a tool of physicists to study protons, electrons, and other charged particles.
A special strength of the collections lies in objects related to the history of electrical power, including generators, batteries, cables, transformers, and early photovoltaic cells. A group of Thomas Edison's earliest light bulbs are a precious treasure. Hundreds of other objects represent the innumerable uses of electricity, from streetlights and railway signals to microwave ovens and satellite equipment.
1,058
Page 1 of 53
-
Designating Flag, 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 21st Army Corps
- Description
- Rectangular wool bunting flag. Horizontal tricolor design is red on top, white in middle, and blue on the bottom. In the white band next to the hoist edge is a black five-point star applique inscribed with a white number "1". White cotton canvas hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "1st Brg 1st Div 21st Army Corps." The flag is machine-stitched. Tabs and edges of flag hand-stitched.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- AF.25251C
- catalog number
- 25251C
- accession number
- 64127
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Designating Flag, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 20th Army Corps
- Description
- Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a red border on the hoist edge. In the center of the flag is a blue five-point star. White cotton hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "3rd Div. 2nd Brg. 20th Army Corps R.C. Toy 49.N.9th Phila." Flat-felled seams.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1890-1897
- maker
- Robert C. Toy
- ID Number
- AF.25250P
- catalog number
- 25250P
- accession number
- 64127
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
diary
- Location
- Currently not on view
- associated dates
- 1863 01 01+ / 1863 01 01+, 1863 12 31- / 1863 12 31-
- ID Number
- 1993.3005.01
- catalog number
- 1993.3005.01
- nonaccession number
- 1993.3005
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Designating Flag, Artillery Brigade, 18th Army Corps
- Description
- Wool bunting pennant flag. Red field with white cross bottony in the center of the flag. White cotton hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "Brg/Art'y 18th Army Corps R C Toy 49 N. 9th Phila." Machine-stitching; flat-felled seams.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1890-1897
- maker
- Robert C. Toy
- ID Number
- AF.25248B
- catalog number
- 25248B
- accession number
- 64127
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Designating Flag, Headquarters, 17th Army Corps
- Description
- Wool bunting swallowtail flag. Blue field with yellow fringe around all edges of the flag except for the hoist. In the center of the flag is a white horizontal arrow pointing toward the fly. White canvas hoist with an inscription that reads "17 Army Corps Headquarters." Machine-stitched with flat-felled seams.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- AF.25247A
- catalog number
- 25247A
- accession number
- 64127
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Designating Flag, Chief Quartermaster, 24th Army Corps
- Description
- Wool bunting tapered swallowtail flag. Red field with a white cotton number "24" applique. The "4" of the applique is backwards. Two diagonal blue stripes, or bends, run the hoist to the end of each tail, crossing where the swallowtail forks. White hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "R.C. Toy 49 N. 9th Phila 24 Army Corps Chief Q.M." The flag is machine-stitched with white cotton thread.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1890-1897
- maker
- Robert C. Toy
- ID Number
- AF.25254C
- catalog number
- 25254C
- accession number
- 64127
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Designating Flag, 1st Division, 8th Army Corps
- Description
- Rectangular wool bunting flag. White field with a large red six-point star inset in the center of the flag. White heading has a metal grommet on either end. Reinforcement squares of fabric on each hoist corner. Machine-stitched with flat-felled seams; some hand-stitching in the insert. Inscription on hoist reads "8TH ARMY/CORPS 1ST DIVISION".
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- AF.25269B
- catalog number
- 25269B
- accession number
- 64127
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Designating Flag, 1st Division, 18th Army Corps
- Description
- Rectangular wool bunting flag. White field with a large red cotton cross bottony in the center of the flag. Reinforcement squares of fabric on both hoist corners. White cotton hoist with a grommet at each end. The inscription on the hoist reads "18TH ARMY/CORPS 1ST DIVISION." Machine and hand stitching; flat-felled seams.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- AF.25277B
- catalog number
- 25277B
- accession number
- 64127
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Designating Flag, 3rd Division, 3rd Army Corps
- Description
- Rectangular wool bunting flag. White field with blue diamond in center of flag. White cotton hoist. Machine stitching; flag panels have flat-felled seams. Cotton threads in blue, off-white, and white. The inscription on the hoist reads "3rd Div. 3rd Army Corps."
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1876
- ID Number
- AF.25234M
- catalog number
- 25234M
- accession number
- 64127
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Confederate Army Frock Coat
- Description
- This frock coat was worn by Confederate Army infantryman Frank B. Gibson while a member of Company D of the 26th Infantry of South Carolina. Single-breasted coarse brown wool "butternut" coat which formerly had six brass infantry "I" buttons. The top button and two bottom buttons are currently missing. There are two small brass buttons on the near the sides of the collar which depict a pinwheel design. There is a large pocket with a flap on each side of the coat. There is one breast pocket in the left inside of the coat. The coat is fully lined with the same brown wool. The chest lining is wool and is padded.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- associated date
- 1861-1865
- wearer
- Gibson, Francis B.
- ID Number
- AF.77555M
- catalog number
- 77555M
- accession number
- 310956
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Congressional Medal of Honor
- Location
- Currently not on view
- recipient
- Trogden, Howell G.
- ID Number
- 2009.0160.01
- accession number
- 2009.0160
- catalog number
- 2009.0160.01
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Designating Flag, 2nd Brigade, 4th Division, 20th Army Corps, Department of the Cumberland
- Description
- Wool bunting pennant flag. Red field with a white border at the hoist edge. In the center of the flag is a green five-point star. White cotton hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "4th Div 2nd Brg 20 Army Corps Dept. of/Cumberland R.C. Toy 49 N 9th Phila." The flag is machine-stitched with flat-felled seams.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1890-1897
- maker
- Robert C. Toy
- ID Number
- AF.25250GG
- catalog number
- 25250GG
- accession number
- 64127
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Plate 33. Evacuation of Aquia Creek
- 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.
- This sketch was taken a few hours previous to the abandonment of Aquia Creek in June, 1863. The Army of the Potomac was along the Rappahannock before Fredericksburg, fifteen miles distant, and had used this point and Belle Plain, a similar landing, seven miles below, as a base of supplies. The movement commenced on Saturday morning. The President was expected to visited the army on that day, but the advance of the Confederates into Pennsylvania admitting of no delay, Gen. Hooker, in the afternoon, telegraphed Mr. Lincoln not to come, and immediately made preparations to leave. At daylight, Sunday morning, the whole army was in motion, and an immense throng of sutlers and other camp followers collected at Aquia Creek for transportation to Washington. By 10 A. M. the camps between this point and Fredericksburg were all deserted, and the civilians, in constant apprehension of an attack from the Confederate cavalry that might follow up the army as it passed the landing on its march to Washington, crowded on to the boats in the greatest confusion. The steamers were already heavily laden with stores, wagons, &c,, and the evacuation was attended with scenes that would have been regarded as ridiculous but for the general alarm.
- The barges anchored in the stream were locked together for the transportation of the cars on the wharf, and were towed to Washington by the steamers loaded with passengers. All of the supplies had been removed from the buildings, and the latter, erected at great expense by the Quartermaster's Department, were committed to the flames. A gunboat lay out in the river for the protection of the place until all could get away; but no enemy appeared, and in a short time nothing remained of the busy village but smoking embers and half-burned wharves. Aquia Creek has been used three times as a base of supplies; once for McDowell, in 1862; next for Burnside, after the Antietam Campaign; and finally during Grant's operations at Spottsylvania. Nearly a hundred steamers have been collected here at one time, while sailing vessels anchored in the river nearly obstructed its navigation. The wounded were brought here from Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Wilderness, and Spottsylvania, to be sent to Washington; and in nearly all of the operations of the army in Eastern Virginia the place has borne a conspicuous part. The Confederates had formidable batteries on the bluffs which commanded the river previous to our occupation of Fredericksburg in the spring of 1862, and at the same time sheltered in the stream that runs down between the hills, the once notorious iron-clad Page.
- The landing is now used by the Washington, Fredericksburg and Richmond Railroad Company, but will probably never be more than an ordinary station. Fever and ague prevail during the summer, forbidding the growth of a village, and with the completion of the railroad to Alexandria, the place will doubtless sink into oblivion, except as connected with the military operations of the great rebellion.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1863-06
- maker
- Gardner, Alexander
- ID Number
- 1986.0711.0334.33
- accession number
- 1986.0711
- catalog number
- 1986.0711.0334.33
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Shoulder straps worn by Major General John Rutter Brooke
- Description (Brief)
- Shoulder straps worn by United States Army Major General John Rutter Brooke. The two shoulder straps feature two five point stars on a black fabric field with gold metallic thread border. Brooke was brevetted major general of volunteers in 1864 and was made a major general in the regular army in 1897, retiring with that rank in 1902.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- user
- Brooke, John Rutter
- ID Number
- AF.22095
- catalog number
- 22095
- accession number
- 63543
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Model 1855 Socket Bayonet
- Description
- Bayonets, like this one, were common equipment for Union soldiers. This particular bayonet was meant to attach to a Model 1855 Springfield musket.
- ID Number
- AF.35635R.1
- accession number
- 97652
- catalog number
- 35635R.1
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Old Glory flag
- Description
- The name "Old Glory" was loudly proclaimed in 1824 by Captain William Driver as he hoisted the flag given to him as a birthday present. The flag would accompany Driver on his numerous voyages around the world. When he gave up seafaring and moved inland to Nashville, Tennessee in 1837, Driver continued to display the flag proudly by hanging it from a locust tree. He even updated the flag in 1861 to reflect thirty-four stars and added an anchor in the corner to indicate his sea service. When Tennessee seceded from the Union, Driver had the foresight to hide the flag and had his daughter conceal it inside a quilt, which was overlooked in numerous raids on his house. Old Glory remained in the quilt until February 25, 1862 when Ulysses S. Grant captured Fort Donelson and occupied Nashville. On that day Driver uncovered the flag, marched through the streets to the capitol building, climbed to its dome, and hoisted the flag for all to see.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1824
- associated date
- 1862-02- 25
- ID Number
- AF.32605
- catalog number
- 32605
- accession number
- 69281
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Designating Flag, 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 9th Army Corps
- Description
- Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with a red border on the hoist edge. In the center of the flag is a white shield with a painted blue anchor surmounted by a painted red cannon. The anchor and cannon are diagonally crossed. White canvas hoist. Machine-stitched and basted with flat-felled seams using black, yellow, and cream thread. Inscription on hoist: "2nd Brg. 2nd Div. 9th Army Corps."
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- AF.25239L
- catalog number
- 25239L
- accession number
- 64127
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Plate 94. A Burial Party on the Battle-field of Cold Harbor
- Description
- Text and photograph from Gardner's Photographic Sketchbook of the War, Vol. II. Negative by John Reekie, text and positive by Alexander Gardner.
- This sad scene represents the soldiers in the act of collecting the remains of their comrades, killed at the battles of Gaines' Mill and Cold Harbor. It speaks ill of the residents of that part of Virginia, that they allowed even the remains of those they considered enemies, to decay unnoticed where they fell. The soldiers, to whom commonly falls the task of burying the dead, may possibly have been called away before the task was completed. At such times the native dwellers of the neighborhood would usually come forward and provide sepulture for such as had been left uncovered. Cold Harbor, however, was not the only place were [sic] Union men were left unburied. It was so upon the field of the first Bull Run battle, where the rebel army was encamped for six months afterwards. Perhaps like the people of Gettysburg, they wanted to know first "who was to pay them for it." After that battle, the soldiers hastened in pursuit of the retiring columns of Lee, leaving a large number of the dead unburied. The Gettysburgers were loud in their complaints, and indignantly made the above quoted inquiry as to the remuneration, upon being told they must finish the burial rites themselves.
- Among the unburied on the Bull Run field, a singular discovery was made, which might have led to the identification of the remains of a soldier. An orderly turning over a skull upon the ground, heard something within it rattle, and searching for the supposed bullet, found a glass eye.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1865-04
- maker
- Gardner, Alexander
- ID Number
- 1986.0711.0283.44
- accession number
- 1986.0711
- catalog number
- 1986.0711.0283.44
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Plate 59. Battery A, Fourth U.S. Artillery, Robertson's Brigade
- 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 is one of the celebrated horse batteries of the Army of the Potomac. In the batteries designed for cavalry service, every man was mounted, except in action, when the cannoniers necessarily served the guns on foot. The picture represents the four 12-pounder light brass pieces "in battery," with limbers and caissons to the rear, and on the left the battery wagon, forge, ambulance, and wagons for transportation, embracing the entire equipage of a light battery in the field. Beyond, another battery is seen in camp. The horses being hitched in, and limber chests open, would seem to indicate that an inspection is about to be made. Just in the edge of the woods is brigade headquarters.
- When General Pleasanton commanded the cavalry of the Army of the Potomac, in 1862, Captain Robertson (now General) was his Chief of Artillery, and was in the van of the forces, in the campaign which terminated at Antietam. The Captain aided materially in driving the rebels out of Frederick City, after a severe artillery fight. Following them closely, he fired the first shot at the battle of South Mountain, keeping the rebels engaged till the arrival of General Burnside's command. Again, at the battle of Antietam, his batteries were busy doing great execution. He was promoted subsequently, and held a command in the reserve artillery, for some time, always with the reputation of being a thorough artillery officer.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- maker
- Gardner, Alexander
- ID Number
- 1986.0711.0283.09
- accession number
- 1986.0711
- catalog number
- 1986.0711.0283.09
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Designating Flag, 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac
- Description
- Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with an orange (or faded red) cotton applique of two crossed swords in the center of the flag. On the hoist edge of the flag is a wide blue border. White cotton hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "[illegible] Phila CAVALRY Corps Army POTOMAC 2nd Brg 1st Div." Machine stitching; flat-felled panel seams.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1890-1897
- maker
- Robert C. Toy
- ID Number
- AF.25229F
- catalog number
- 25229F
- accession number
- 64127
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
Pages
Filter Your Results
Click to remove a filter:
- data source
-
topic
- Civil War, 1861-1865 1058
- Military 1058
- Designating Flags 630
- Flags 403
- Photography 98
- Gardner's Sketchbook 74
- Civil War and Reconstruction 62
- ThinkFinity 56
- Firearms 45
- Architecture 31
- Engineering 31
- Costume and dress 23
- Civil War Uniforms 22
- Government 15
- Edged Weapons 14
- Politics 14
- Social reformers 14
- Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient Portraits 11
- William Tecumseh Sherman 11
-
object type
- Flags 654
- albumen photograph 74
- Coats (garments) 26
- Insignias 19
- Caps (headgear) 15
- Photographs 15
- Rifles (long guns) 15
- Swords 15
- Carbines 14
- Revolvers (firearms) 14
- Prints 13
- Trousers 12
- carbine, percussion 10
- Medals 9
- Hats 8
- revolver, percussion 8
- Belts (costume accessories) 7
- Insignia, Pair of 7
- Jackets (garments) 7
- Posters 6
- date
-
place
- United States 478
- Pennsylvania 294
- Philadelphia 277
- Virginia 80
- New York 13
- Confederate States of America 11
- Gettysburg 11
- Petersburg 10
- Connecticut 8
- Maryland 8
- United Kingdom 8
- Brandy Station 7
- District of Columbia 7
- Richmond 7
- Washington 7
- England 6
- France 6
- Massachusetts 6
- Tennessee 6
- Waterbury 6
- culture
-
set name
- Political and Military History: Armed Forces History, Military 896
- Civil War 763
- Designating Flags 630
- Flags 630
- Photography 97
- Work and Industry: Photographic History 83
- National Museum of American History 79
- Price of Freedom 75
- Gardner's Sketchbook 74
- ThinkFinity 56
- Engineering, Building, and Architecture 31
- Political and Military History: Armed Forces History, General 26
- Military Uniforms 23
- Civil War Uniforms 22
- Political and Military History: Armed Forces History, Naval 22
- Government, Politics, and Reform 14
- Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient Portraits 11
- William Tecumseh Sherman 11
- Art 10
