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 Token
- Description (Brief)
- The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this token around the mid–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 brass token has a bust image of George Washington facing left.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- mid 19th century
- depicted
- Washington, George
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1574
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1574
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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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
- date made
- ca 1863
- 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
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Mitad Token
- Description (Brief)
- The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this token around 1874. 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 hand holding a flaming torch. The legend reads: SANTANDER.
- Reverse: Image of a six-pointed star. The legend reads: MITAD 1874.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1874
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1505
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1505
- 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
- date made
- mid 20th century
- 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
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Puerto Rican Token
- Description (Brief)
- The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this token around the late 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, and coins.
- Obverse: The legend reads: QUINCALLA Y FERRETERIA/PONCE
- Reverse: The legend reads: TRUJILLO Y SUBINA/ 10/ EL COMETA
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- late 19th century
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1662
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1662
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Germania Club 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: Space for an engraving in the center. The legend reads: GERMANIA CLUB/Cts./BRENHAM
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- late 19th century
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1487
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1487
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Army & Navy 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: Profile image of Lady Liberty facing left. The legend reads: 1863.
- Reverse: Wreath around the rim. The legend reads: ARMY & NAVY.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date on object
- 1863
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1603
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1603
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Santiago De Maria Token
- Description (Brief)
- The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this token around 1878. 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 has a hole at the top so it could be worn.
- Obverse: The legend reads: FINCA SAN FRANCISCO/SANTIAGO DE MARIA/1878.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date on object
- 1878
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1502
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1502
- 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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Amusement 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 transportation tokens.
- Obverse: The legend reads: NO VALUE CHECK/FOR AMUSEMENT ONLY.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- late 19th century
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1565
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1565
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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United Electric Railways 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 in the shape of a star and filled with different colored metal.
- Obverse: The legend reads: UNITED ELECTRIC RAILWAYS CO.
- Reverse: The legend reads: GOOD FOR ONE FARE/ A. E. Potter./ PRES.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- early 20th century
- referenced
- United Electric Railways Co.
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1457
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1457
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Connecticut Railway and Lighting 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 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
- date made
- early 20th century
- 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
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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
- date made
- early 20th century
- 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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Dix Token
- Description (Brief)
- The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this token around 1860. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods. With the Civil War starting, Secretary of the Treasury James Dix sent a telegram to Treasury agents in Louisiana: "If any one attempts to haul down the American flag, shoot him on the spot." This quote is on the token’s reverse.
- Obverse: U.S. flag surrounded by 13 stars. Legend: THE FLAG OF THE UNION.
- Reverse: IF ANYBODY ATTEMPTS TO TEAR IT DOWN/ SHOOT HIM ON THE SPOT/ DIX.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1860
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1604
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1604
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Detroit & Canada Tunnel 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 been punched out to leave a “T” shape.
- Obverse: The legend reads: DETROIT & CANADA/TUNNEL CO.
- Reverse: The legend reads: GOOD FOR/ONE FARE
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- early 20th century
- referenced
- Detroit & Canada Tunnel Company
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1360
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1360
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Lehigh 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. There are four holes punched in the center of the token.
- Obverse: The legend reads: LEHIGH TRACTION CO./ HAZLETON, PA.
- Reverse: The legend reads: GOOD FOR ONE FARE/ C. B. Houck/ V. PRES.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- early 20th century
- referenced
- Lehigh Traction Company
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1405
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1405
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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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 is inscribed with a “1,”and has two semi-circles indented on the obverse, and two semi-circles protruding on the reverse.
- 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
- 1981.0296.1412
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1412
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Delaware River Bridge Line 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. Philadelphia Rapid Transit used this token.
- Obverse: The legend reads: DELAWARE RIVER/PRT/BRIDGE LINE
- Reverse: The legend reads: PHILADELPHIA/BRIDGE TOKEN/CAMDEN
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- early 20th century
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1356
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1356
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Collazo, Perez Guerra & Co. 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: The legend reads: COLLAZO, PEREZ GUERRA & CO./ 2.
- Reverse: The legend reads: HACIENDA DE CAFE/ JUANA DIAZ/ SEMIL.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- early 20th century
- maker
- Scovill Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0296.1548
- accession number
- 1981.0296
- catalog number
- 1981.0296.1548
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
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
- date made
- late 19th century
- 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
