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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Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Campaign Medal
- Description (Brief)
- This campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1868. 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 like campaign medals. This medal has a quote issued by Grant during the Overland Campaign of the Civil War.
- Obverse: Bust of Ulysses S. Grant facing forward, the legend reads: GENERAL U.S. GRANT.
- Reverse: Legend reads: I PROPOSE TO FIGHT IT OUT ON THIS LINE IF IT TAKES ALL SUMMER.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- depicted
- Grant, Ulysses S.
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1084
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1084
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Duke Power Company Transit 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 four parts punched out in the center to leave a cross shape.
- Obverse: The legend reads: DUKE POWER COMPANY/D
- Reverse: The legend reads: GOOD FOR/D/ONE FARE
- Location
- Currently not on view
- referenced
- Duke Power Company
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1363
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1363
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Thomas Edison Commemorative Medal
- Description (Brief)
- This medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1866.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 Andrew Johnson facing left. The legend reads: ANDREW JOHNSON/ PRESIDENT U.S.
- Reverse: The legend reads: NATIONAL UNION CONVENTION HELD AT PHILA: AUG. 14. 1866/ THE PEOPLE MUST BE TRUSTED WITH THEIR OWN GOVERNMENT
- Location
- Currently not on view
- depicted
- Edison, Thomas Alva
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1573
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1573
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
World's Columbian Exposition Commemorative Medal
- Description (Brief)
- This commemorative medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1893. 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 commemorative medals.
- Obverse: Image of John Trumbull’s Declaration of Independence signing on the upper half, an eagle perched on a shield flanked by busts of Columbus and George Washington on the lower half. The legend reads: SIGNING OF DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE/ JULY 4th 1776/ WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION/ 1892 1893/ COLUMBUS/ WASHINGTON/ CHICAGO
- Reverse: Image of Columbus discovering America and planting a cross on the upper half of the coin, and an image of the Pilgrims landing on the bottom half. The legend reads: DISCOVERY OF AMERICA/ OCTOBER 1493/ DEC 1620/ LANDING OF THE PILGRIMS.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1607
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1607
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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James Buchanan Commemorative Token
- Description (Brief)
- This token was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut during the mid-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 commemorative tokens.
- Obverse: Bust of James Buchanan facing right. Legend: 15th President, U.S.A./1857-1861/JAMES BUCHANAN.
- Reverse: "OLD BUCK"/ PRIVATE IN WAR OF 1812/ CONGRESSMAN/ UNITED STATES SENATOR/ SECRETARY OF STATE/MINISTER TO ENGLAND/ TRIED TO AVERT CIVIL WAR BUT BELIEVED IN STATE RIGHTS/ "OLD PUBLIC FUNCTIONARY."
- Location
- Currently not on view
- depicted
- Buchanan, James
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1658
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1658
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Franklin Pierce Commemorative Token
- Description (Brief)
- This commemorative token was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut during the mid-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: Bust of Franklin Pierce facing left. Legend: 14th PRESIDENT, U.S.A./1853-1857/FRANKLIN PIERCE.
- Reverse: Legend: "POOR PIERCE"/ CONGRESSMAN/ UNITED STATES SENATOR/ BRIGADIER GENERAL IN MEXICAN WAR/ GREATER SOLDIER THAN STATESMAN/ FAVORED SLAVERY UNTIL OUTBREAK OF CIVIL WAR/ "FIRST OF CIVIL WAR LIGHTED.”
- Location
- Currently not on view
- depicted
- Pierce, Franklin
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1640
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1640
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Abraham Lincoln Campaign Medal
- Description (Brief)
- This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1860. 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 badges.
- Obverse: Profile image of Abraham Lincoln facing right. Legend reads: HON. ABRAHAM LINCOLN, 1860.
- Reverse: Depiction of two men splitting logs with a log cabin in the background. Legend reads: THE RAIL SPLITTER OF THE WEST.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- depicted
- Lincoln, Abraham
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1074
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1074
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Peabody Hotel Advertising Token
- Description (Brief)
- The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this advertising 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 top hat. The legend reads: PEABODY HOTEL, 307 MAIN ST.
- Reverse: Image of an eagle with shield, gripping arrows in one talon and an olive branch in the other. The legend reads: FRANCISCO & WIGGIN, MEMPHIS.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1492
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1492
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Abraham Lincoln Campaign Badge
- Description (Brief)
- This presidential campaign badge was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1860. 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 badges. There is a hole at the top of the frame to allow for the badge to be strung and worn.
- Obverse: Tintype photograph of Abraham Lincoln set into a brass oval frame. The photo is labeled: ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- depicted
- Lincoln, Abraham
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1182
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1182
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Washington and Jefferson Medal
- Description (Brief)
- This medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut in the 1860s. 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 campaign medals. This medal has a hole in the top so that it could be worn. The medal bears the name “Bolen” referring to J.A. Bolden, a die caster from Springfield, Massachusetts.
- Obverse: Bust image of George Washington facing right. Legend reads: Washington.
- Reverse: Bust of Thomas Jefferson facing right. Legend reads: Jefferson.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- depicted
- Washington, George
- Jefferson, Thomas
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1121
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1121
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Cooke Street Line 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: COOKE STREET/C.S.L./LINE INC.
- Reverse: The legend reads: GOOD FOR/C.S.L./ONE FARE
- Location
- Currently not on view
- referenced
- Cooke Street Line, Inc.
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1352
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1352
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Hammonton Park Advertising 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: Image of a man on a pedestal with raised arms holding a wreath. The legend reads: ANIMATED STYLE.
- Reverse: 3 sets of 3 stars with two branches. The legend reads: HAMMONTON PARK CLOTHES.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1536
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1536
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Ulysses S. Grant 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 badges.
- Obverse: Tintype photograph of Ulysses S. Grant in brass housing, the legend around the rim reads: OUR CHOICE FOR PRESIDENT.
- Reverse: Tintype photograph of Schuyler Colfax in brass housing, the legend around the rim reads: FOR VICE PRESIDENT.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- depicted
- Grant, Ulysses S.
- Colfax, Schuyler
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1088
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1088
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
George B. Ames Advertising Token
- Description (Brief)
- The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this advertising token around 1863. 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: GEORGE B. AMES/ DEALER IN DRUGS, BOOKS, & c./ BELVIDERE, ILL.
- Reverse: Image of a mortar and pestle. The legend reads: GEORGE B. AMES/ 1863.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1488
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1488
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Bridgeport Auto Transit 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 of the token is stamped with a "B.”
- Obverse: The legend reads: BRIDGEPORT AUTO TRANSIT CO.
- Reverse: The legend reads: GOOD FOR ONE FARE.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- referenced
- Bridgeport Auto Transit Company
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1326
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1326
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Ulysses S. Grant 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 campaign badges.
- Obverse: Photograph of Ulysses S. Grant and Schuyler Colfax that is labeled, “GRANT and COLFAX.” The photo is in an ornate silver-colored frame featuring a spread-winged eagle at the top, two unfurling red, white and blue American flags, and a scroll that reads “E PLURIBUS UNUM.”
- Location
- Currently not on view
- depicted
- Grant, Ulysses S.
- Colfax, Schuyler
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1168
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1168
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Connecticut Railway and Lighting 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 triangle punched out of the center.
- Obverse: The legend reads: C.R.& L. Lines
- Reverse: The legend reads: GOOD FOR ONE FARE
- Location
- Currently not on view
- referenced
- Connecticut Railway and Lighting Company
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1351
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1351
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Our Country 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 and tokens.
- Obverse: Image of two crossed cannons, a drum, four flags on poles, and a liberty hat on top of the pole. There is a wreath around the rim.
- Reverse: Wreath around the rim, with the U.S. shield in the center. Legend reads: OUR COUNTRY.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1600
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1600
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Ulysses S. Grant Campaign Badge
- Description (Brief)
- This star-shaped 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 badges.
- This badge features a tintype photograph of Ulysses S. Grant set into a star-shaped brass badge. This badge likely would have originally had a pin on the back so it could be worn.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- depicted
- Grant, Ulysses S.
- Colfax, Schuyler
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1097
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1097
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Fenian Brotherhood Medal
- Description (Brief)
- The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this commemorative medal around 1866. 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 medals.
- Obverse: Image of a sprig of clover, two hands shaking, and a rising sun. The legend reads: IRELAND/1866/AMERICA.
- Reverse: Image of a frigate sailing. The legend reads: IRISH/FB/REPUBLIC.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1509
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1509
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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