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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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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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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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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5 Cent Panamanian Token
- Description (Brief)
- The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this token around 1880. 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, and coins.
- Obverse: The legend reads: HENRY DE LISSER/COLON
- Reverse: The legend reads: 5/CENTS
- Location
- Currently not on view
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1669
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1669
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Metropolitan Transit Authority 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: METROPOLITAN TRANSIT AUTHORITY/ONE FARE
- Reverse: The legend reads: METROPOLITAN TRANSIT AUTHORITY/ONE FARE
- Location
- Currently not on view
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1675
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1675
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Horatio Seymour Campaign Badge
- Description (Brief)
- This presidential campaign badge was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1868. 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. The photo is set into a six-pointed star that was meant to be worn on clothing.
- Obverse: Tintype photograph of Horatio Seymour that is labeled “SEYMOUR.”
- Location
- Currently not on view
- depicted
- Seymour, Horatio
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1164
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1164
- 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: G.R.Q./SANTANDER.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1900
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1513
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1513
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Charlotte Electric 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: CHARLOTTE ELECTRIC RAILWAY CO./ ONE FARE.
- Reverse: The legend reads: CHARLOTTE ELECTRIC RAILWAY CO./ ONE FARE.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- referenced
- Charlotte Electric Railway Company
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1585
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1585
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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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.
- 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
- 1981.0296.1404
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1404
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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La Union 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: LA UNION.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- late 19th century
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1508
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1508
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Brantford 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. There is a hole in the center of the token.
- Obverse: The legend reads: BRANTFORD ST. RY. CO./ ONE FARE.
- Reverse: The legend reads: BRANTFORD ST. RY. CO./ ONE FARE.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- referenced
- Brantford Street Railway Company
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1322
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1322
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Paris Transit 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. There is a hole in the center of the token.
- Obverse: The legend reads: PARIS TRANSIT COMPANY/ ONE FARE.
- Reverse: The legend reads: PARIS TRANSIT COMPANY/ ONE FARE.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- referenced
- Paris Transit Company
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1423
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1423
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company 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. There is a circular hole in the center of the token.
- Obverse: The legend reads: C. & P. TEL. CO./ DIME TOKEN.
- Reverse: The legend reads: C. & P. TEL. CO./ DIME TOKEN.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- referenced
- Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1346
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1346
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Franklin Roosevelt Campaign Medal
- Description (Brief)
- This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1932.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: Profiles of Franklin D. Roosevelt and John Nance Garner, with the legend: A NEW DAY A NEW DEAL/FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT/JOHN N. GARNER.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1932
- depicted
- Roosevelt, Franklin Delano
- Garner, John N.
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1314
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1314
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Waterloo, Cedar Falls, & Northern Railway Company 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. The center bears the large initials WCF with the initials &N.R.CO. across it.
- Obverse: The legend reads: WATERLOO, CEDAR FALLS, & NORTHERN RAILWAY COMPANY
- Reverse: The legend reads: WATERLOO, CEDAR FALLS, & NORTHERN RAILWAY COMPANY
- Location
- Currently not on view
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1621
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1621
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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25 Cent Play Money
- Description (Brief)
- The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this play money 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: Silhouette of a girl facing left. The legend reads: PLAY MONEY/25¢
- Reverse: Image of a star. The legend reads: 25¢/PLAY MONEY
- Location
- Currently not on view
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1482
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1482
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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