Natural Resources

The natural resources collections offer centuries of evidence about how Americans have used the bounty of the American continent and coastal waters. Artifacts related to flood control, dam construction, and irrigation illustrate the nation's attempts to manage the natural world. Oil-drilling, iron-mining, and steel-making artifacts show the connection between natural resources and industrial strength.
Forestry is represented by saws, axes, a smokejumper's suit, and many other objects. Hooks, nets, and other gear from New England fisheries of the late 1800s are among the fishing artifacts, as well as more recent acquisitions from the Pacific Northwest and Chesapeake Bay. Whaling artifacts include harpoons, lances, scrimshaw etchings in whalebone, and several paintings of a whaler's work at sea. The modern environmental movement has contributed buttons and other protest artifacts on issues from scenic rivers to biodiversity.


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George Washington Masonic Memorial Medal
- Description (Brief)
- The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this medal during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and tokens.
- Obverse: Image of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial. The legend reads: GEORGE WASHINGTON MASONIC NATIONAL MEMORIAL/ ALEXANDRIA VIRGINIA.
- Reverse: Image of the Masonic symbol of the G inside a square and compass.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1580
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1580
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Religious Token
- Description (Brief)
- The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this token around 1870. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and tokens.
- Obverse: Image of a man on a banner, facing left. The legend reads: DMA CYS/1870
- Reverse: The legend reads: PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1553
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1553
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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New Hampshire Militia Button
- Description (Brief)
- The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this New Hampshire volunteer militia button around the middle of the 19th century. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today. Scovill is an important example of early American industrial manufacturing that adapted armory machines to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and tokens.
- The button has an image of a ship with oars and several men on the shore. The legend around the rim reads: NEW HAMPSHIRE/VOL. MILITIA.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1554
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1554
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Dog Token
- Description (Brief)
- The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and tokens.
- Obverse: Image of a dog.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1499
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1499
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Deer Medallion
- Description (Brief)
- This medallion was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and campaign medals. There is a ring at the top to the medallion could be worn.
- Obverse: Central image of a deer, surrounded by images of a fasces, Lady Liberty, hands shaking, and two children.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1597
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1597
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Kanji Telephone Token
- Description (Brief)
- The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this telephone token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and transportation tokens. This token is a Japanese or Chinese telephone token.
- Obverse: Kanji characters.
- Reverse: Kanji characters.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1365
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1365
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Mitad Token
- Description (Brief)
- The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and tokens.
- Obverse: The legend reads: MITAD.
- Reverse: The legend reads: E.T.B. COROZAL.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1501
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1501
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Pilar Token
- Description (Brief)
- The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, and coins.
- Obverse: The legend reads: PILAR
- Reverse: The legend reads: PILAR
- Location
- Currently not on view
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1472
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1472
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Unknown Man Button
- Description (Brief)
- This button was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut in the 19th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and campaign medals.
- Obverse: Profile bust of an unknown man facing right.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1216
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1216
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Missouri Five Mill Sales Tax Token
- Description (Brief)
- The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this sales tax token around 1935. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and tokens. This token was used when the sales tax was less than a cent. There is a hole in the center of the token.
- Obverse: Image of the state of Missouri. The legend reads: MISSOURI SALES TAX RECEIPT/ 5/ 5.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1551
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1551
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Union Street Railway Company Fare Token
- Description (Brief)
- The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and transportation tokens.
- Obverse: The legend reads: UNION ST.RY.CO./NEW BEDFORD/ONE FARE
- Reverse: The legend reads: UNION ST.RY.CO./NEW BEDFORD/ONE FARE
- Location
- Currently not on view
- referenced
- Union Street Railway Company
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1417
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1417
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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George McClellan Token
- Description (Brief)
- The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and tokens.
- Obverse: Bust of George McClellan facing left. The legend reads: MAJ. GEN. G. B. McCLELLAN, PENINSULAR CAMPAIGN.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- depicted
- McClellan, George B.
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1541
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1541
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Mitad Token
- Description (Brief)
- The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this token during the late 19th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and tokens.
- Obverse: The legend reads: MITAD.
- Reverse: The legend reads: F.W.S. SANTANDER.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1543
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1543
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Horace Greeley Campaign Medal
- Description (Brief)
- This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1872. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and campaign medals.
- Obverse: Busts of Horace Greeley and Benjamin Brown facing right, with an image of two hands shaking underneath the busts. The legend reads: GREELEY & BROWN.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- depicted
- Greeley, Horace
- Brown, Benjamin G.
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1250
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1250
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Missouri Single Mill Sales Tax Token
- Description (Brief)
- The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this sales tax token around 1935. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and tokens. This token was used when the sales tax was less than a cent. There is a hole in the center of the token.
- Obverse: Image of the state of Missouri, with “1” in the center. The legend reads: MISSOURI SALES TAX RECEIPT/ 1.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1549
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1549
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
George McClellan Medal
- Description (Brief)
- This medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1861. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and campaign medals.
- Obverse: Bust of George McClellan facing left. The legend reads: MAJOR GENERAL Geo B. McCLELLAN WAR OF 1861.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- depicted
- McClellan, George B.
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1223
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1223
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Washington Street Railway Company Fare Token
- Description (Brief)
- The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and transportation tokens. This token has a hole in the center.
- Obverse: The legend reads: WASHINGTON ST. RAILWAY CO./ HALF FARE.
- Reverse: The legend reads: WASHINGTON ST. RAILWAY CO./ HALF FARE.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- referenced
- Washington Street Railway Co.
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1461
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1461
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Union Street Railway Company Fare Token
- Description (Brief)
- The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and transportation tokens.
- Obverse: The legend reads: ONE RIDE TO OR FROM/LINCOLN PARK/U. ST. RY. CO./D.&W. DIVISION
- Reverse: The legend reads: ONE RIDE TO OR FROM/LINCOLN PARK/U. ST. RY. CO./D.&W. DIVISION
- Location
- Currently not on view
- referenced
- Union Street Railway Company
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1409
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1409
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Patriotic Medal
- Description (Brief)
- This patriotic token was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and campaign medals.
- Obverse: Image of Lady Liberty holding a torch and a shield , with a man holding up a rifle. The legend reads: WE PLEDGE OUR LIVES, OUR FORTUNES, AND OUR SACRED HONOR.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1611
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1611
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Laconia Street Railway Fare Token
- Description (Brief)
- The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this transportation token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and transportation tokens. There is a small round hole in the center of this token.
- Obverse: The legend reads: LACONIA/ONE FARE/ST. RAILWAY CO.
- Reverse: The legend reads: LACONIA/ONE FARE/ST. RAILWAY CO.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- referenced
- Laconia Street Railway Co.
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1403
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1403
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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