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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Van Buren Hard Times Token
- Description (Brief)
- This token was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1841. 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 coins.
- This “hard times token” was made during the United States’ economic depression in the 1830s.
- Obverse: A ship named “Experiment” is wrecked against rocks. Legend: VAN BUREN METALLIC CURRENT 1837.
- Reverse: A ship named “Constitution” is sailing in a soft sea with full sails. Legend: WEBSTER CREDIT CURRENT 1841.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1841
- referenced
- Van Buren, Martin
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1132
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1132
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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William Henry Harrison Campaign Medal
- Description (Brief)
- This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1840. 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 campaign medals. The medal has a hole so that it could be worn.
- Obverse: Bust of William Henry Harrison facing left. The legend reads: MAJ. GENl W. HARRISON BORN FEB. 9. 1773.
- Reverse: Image of a log cabin, and the legend: THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE/ THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1840
- depicted
- Harrison, William Henry
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1200
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1200
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Freemason’s Token
- Description (Brief)
- The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this freemason’s 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: Triangle in the center. The legend reads: MOUNT MORIAH CHAPTER No. 20 R.A.M./ WARRANTED MAY 31st A.D./ 1921/ WATERBURY, CONN.
- Reverse: Image of a keystone, flanked by a hammer and chisel. Keystone reads: KSHTWSST. The legend reads: ONE PENNY.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1921
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1636
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1636
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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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. The eagle has a pin so the badge could be worn.
- Obverse: Labeled tintype photograph of Ulysses S. Grant and Schuyler Colfax. The photo is in a golden colored frame featuring a spread-winged eagle, flanked by two golden American flags, and a scroll “E PLURIBUS UNUM.”
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1868
- depicted
- Grant, Ulysses S.
- Colfax, Schuyler
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1181
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1181
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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John C. Frémont Campaign Medal
- Description (Brief)
- This campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1856. 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: Bust of John C. Frémont facing right. Legend reads: JOHN. C. FREMONT. FREE SOIL & FREE SPEECH.
- Reverse: Image of eagle with shield, holding a laurel branch and three arrows in its talons. Legend reads: WM. L. DAYTON FREE SPEECH. FREE MEN.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1856
- depicted
- Fremont, John Charles
- referenced
- Dayton, William L.
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1149
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1149
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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John A. Bell 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 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 photo of John A. Bell. The legend reads: JOHN BELL 1860.
- Reverse: Tintype photograph of Edward Everett. The legend reads: EDWARD EVERETT 1860.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1860
- depicted
- Bell, John
- Everett, Edward
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1102
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1102
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Lima City Street 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.
- Obverse: The legend reads: THE LIMA CITY STREET RAILWAY CO.
- Reverse: The legend reads: GOOD FOR ONE FARE.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- early 20th century
- referenced
- Lima City Street Railway Co.
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1406
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1406
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Princeton Power Company 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. The center of the token is punched out to leave a “P” shape.
- Obverse: The legend reads: PRINCETON POWER CO. ST. RAILWAY
- Reverse: The legend reads: GOOD FOR ONE FARE
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- early 20th century
- referenced
- Princeton Power Co. Street Railway
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1440
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1440
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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James K. Polk 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 James K. Polk facing left. Legend: 11th PRESIDENT, U.S.A./1845-1849/JAMES K. POLK.
- Reverse: Legend reads: "YOUNG HICKORY"/GOVERNOR OF TENNESSEE/SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE/ANNEXED CALIFORNIA NEW MEXICO AND NORTHWEST TERRITORY/ A MAN OF ABILITY/ IDENTIFIED WITH SLAVE INTERESTS/ "FIRST DARK HORSE."
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- mid 20th century
- depicted
- Polk, James K.
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1645
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1645
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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White Line Bus Corporation 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. The token is stamped with a “W” in its center.
- Obverse: The legend reads: WHITE LINE/BUS CORP.
- Reverse: The legend reads: GOOD FOR/ONE FARE.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- early 20th century
- referenced
- White Line Bus Corp.
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1466
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1466
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
James Polk Campaign Medal
- Description (Brief)
- This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1844. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods.
- Obverse: Bust of James K. Polk and George M. Dallas facing each other ringed by stars. Over is a spread-winged eagle with an olive branch in its beak. The legend reads: POLK/ DALLAS./ 1844/ THE PEOPLE'S CANDIDATES.
- Reverse: Seated female figure surrounded by a lamb, spinning wheel, and tobacco barrel, with a ship in the background. Legend: SUCCESS WILL CROWN OUR EFFORTS.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1844
- depicted
- Polk, James K.
- Dallas, George M.
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1307
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1307
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Bay State 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.
- Obverse: Legend reads: DISTRICT 1/ CITY ZONE FARE.
- Reverse: Legend reads: BAY STATE/ BAY STATE.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- early 20th century
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1318
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1318
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Manila Electric 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. The center of the token has two semi-circles cut out, leaving a center strip that is inscribed with a “1.”
- Obverse: The legend reads: MANILA ELECTRIC CO.
- Reverse: The legend reads: GOOD FOR ONE/FIRST CLASS FARE
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- early 20th century
- referenced
- Manila Electric Company
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1413
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1413
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
George B. McClellan Campaign Medal
- Description (Brief)
- This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1864. 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: Bust of George B. McClellan facing left, surrounded by a wreath. Legend reads: MAJ. GEN. GEO. B. McCLELLAN.
- Reverse: Image of a shield that is surrounded by flags and a “liberty cap.” Legend reads: THE PEOPLES CHOICE FOR PRESIDENT 1864.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1864
- depicted
- McClellan, George B.
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1081
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1081
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Friedrich Schiller Commemorative Medal
- Description (Brief)
- This commemorative medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1805. 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: Bust of Friedrich Schiller facing right. Legend reads: FRIED.von SCHILLER.
- Reverse: Two branches wreath the bottom, with a central image of a bell. The legend reads: MORTUOS PLANGO/NATUS 1759/OBIT 1805.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1805
- depicted
- von Schiller, Friedrich
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1222
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1222
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Bridgeport Auto 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. 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
- date made
- early 20th century
- referenced
- Bridgeport Auto Transit Company
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1325
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1325
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Watertown-Suburban Black River Traction 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. The center of the token has the imprint of a wheel, with letters in between the spokes.
- Obverse: The legend reads: WATERTOWN-SUBURBAN/ BLACK RIVER TRAC. CO./ ONE FARE.
- Reverse: The legend reads: WATERTOWN-SUBURBAN/ BLACK RIVER TRAC. CO./ ONE FARE.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- early 20th century
- referenced
- Black River Traction Company
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1465
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1465
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Scovill Service Award Pin
- Description (Brief)
- The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this pin 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.
- This pin has an “S” in the center with a blue background, and reads “SCOVILL” across the center. “SERVICE AWARD” is written at the bottom.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- mid 19th century
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1561
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1561
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Benjamin Harrison Inaugural Medal
- Description (Brief)
- This inaugural medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1889. 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 Benjamin Harrison facing left. The legend reads: BENJAMIN HARRISON PRESIDENT OF THE U.S.
- Reverse: Image of the United States Capitol with the legend: INAUGURATED MARCH 4, 1889.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1889
- depicted
- Harrison, Benjamin
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1230
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1230
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
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 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: 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
- date made
- ca 1872
- depicted
- Greeley, Horace
- Brown, Benjamin G.
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1185
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1185
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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