Plaster Bust of Benjamin Banneker
THF807797 / Plaster Bust of Benjamin Banneker
01
Artifact Overview
Benjamin Banneker (1731-1806) was born to a free Black mother and a formerly enslaved father. Despite having little to no formal education, he wrote several almanacs based on his own astronomical calculations, constructed a striking clock based on his own design, and corresponded with Thomas Jefferson about abolition. Banneker also worked as a surveyor, assisting in setting the boundaries for the District of Columbia.
Artifact Details
Artifact
Bust (Figure)
Creator Notes
Bust designed by Inge Hardison and distributed by The Old Taylor Distillery Co., Frankfort and Louisville, Kentucky.
Location
Not on exhibit to the public.
Object ID
2025.212.2
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Material
Plaster
Paint (Coating)
Paper (Fiber product)
Felt (Textile)
Color
Brown (Color)
White (Color)
Black (Color)
Green (Color)
Dimensions
Height: 9 in
Width: 6.25 in
Length: 5 in
Inscriptions
on sign on front:
BENJAMIN BANNEKER / (1731-1806) / A Negro put the White House where it is today.
on label on bottom:
Without him, the White House might / not be on Pennsylvania Avenue / [...] / KENTUCKY STRAIGHT BOURBON WHISKEY, 86 PROOF. THE OLD TAYLOR DISTILLERY CO., / FRANKFORT & LOUISVILLE, KY.
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