Search
- Crate Label, "Sweetheart Brand Beans," circa 1930 - In 1869, the transcontinental railroad opened eastern markets to the West Coast produce industry for the first time. As produce companies shipped crates of fruits and vegetables across the country, they needed a way to distinguish their goods from their competitors'. Colorful, eye-catching labels, like this one for Sweetheart Brand Beans, were created to attract grocers purchasing goods from wholesale markets.

- circa 1930
- Collections - Artifact
Crate Label, "Sweetheart Brand Beans," circa 1930
In 1869, the transcontinental railroad opened eastern markets to the West Coast produce industry for the first time. As produce companies shipped crates of fruits and vegetables across the country, they needed a way to distinguish their goods from their competitors'. Colorful, eye-catching labels, like this one for Sweetheart Brand Beans, were created to attract grocers purchasing goods from wholesale markets.
- Souvenir Book, "World's Fair through a Camera," 1893 - More than 25 million visitors attended the World's Columbian Exposition held in Chicago, Illinois, in 1893. The fair celebrated the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's landing in America. Many fairgoers returned home with mementos to help relive their experience at the exposition. This souvenir photograph book contains images of the buildings, grounds, and "other views of general interest."

- 1893
- Collections - Artifact
Souvenir Book, "World's Fair through a Camera," 1893
More than 25 million visitors attended the World's Columbian Exposition held in Chicago, Illinois, in 1893. The fair celebrated the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's landing in America. Many fairgoers returned home with mementos to help relive their experience at the exposition. This souvenir photograph book contains images of the buildings, grounds, and "other views of general interest."
- M20 Armored Car Built at the Ford Motor Company Chicago Assembly Plant, March 1945 - Ford's T-26 Command Car, designated M20 by the U.S. Army, combined speed with protection. The vehicle featured six-wheel drive, a cruising range of 400 miles, and a top speed of 56 miles per hour. Armor plating, up to 3/4-inch thick, and a top-mounted .50 caliber machine gun provided further defense. Ford built 3,791 M20 vehicles, all at its Chicago plant.

- March 12, 1945
- Collections - Artifact
M20 Armored Car Built at the Ford Motor Company Chicago Assembly Plant, March 1945
Ford's T-26 Command Car, designated M20 by the U.S. Army, combined speed with protection. The vehicle featured six-wheel drive, a cruising range of 400 miles, and a top speed of 56 miles per hour. Armor plating, up to 3/4-inch thick, and a top-mounted .50 caliber machine gun provided further defense. Ford built 3,791 M20 vehicles, all at its Chicago plant.
- "Alton Trials: of Winthrop S. Gilman...Enoch Long/Written out from Notes Taken at the Time of Trial," 1838 -

- 1838
- Collections - Artifact
"Alton Trials: of Winthrop S. Gilman...Enoch Long/Written out from Notes Taken at the Time of Trial," 1838
- High School, La Grange, Illinois, circa 1940 - Public high schools built in the late-19th and early-20th centuries not only provided education for children but also served the needs of the community. Besides classrooms, high schools usually included athletic facilities and auditoriums--spaces used by students and local citizens alike. High schools became a symbol of a community's progress and were proudly depicted on postcards sent to family and friends.

- circa 1940
- Collections - Artifact
High School, La Grange, Illinois, circa 1940
Public high schools built in the late-19th and early-20th centuries not only provided education for children but also served the needs of the community. Besides classrooms, high schools usually included athletic facilities and auditoriums--spaces used by students and local citizens alike. High schools became a symbol of a community's progress and were proudly depicted on postcards sent to family and friends.
- "First Court House of Logan County Where Abraham Lincoln Practiced Law, Lincoln, Ill.," 1927 Postcard - Between 1840 and 1847, Abraham Lincoln tried cases as a traveling lawyer in this courthouse when it was located in Postville (later Lincoln), Illinois. When the Logan County seat moved to Mt. Pulaski, this courthouse was reused as a general store, jail, post office, and private dwelling. Henry Ford purchased it in 1929 and brought it to Greenfield Village.

- 1927
- Collections - Artifact
"First Court House of Logan County Where Abraham Lincoln Practiced Law, Lincoln, Ill.," 1927 Postcard
Between 1840 and 1847, Abraham Lincoln tried cases as a traveling lawyer in this courthouse when it was located in Postville (later Lincoln), Illinois. When the Logan County seat moved to Mt. Pulaski, this courthouse was reused as a general store, jail, post office, and private dwelling. Henry Ford purchased it in 1929 and brought it to Greenfield Village.
- Touring Ford's Roads of the World Exhibit, Century of Progress International Exposition, Chicago, Illinois, 1934 - Ford Motor Company recreated 21 sections of different historic and modern roadways outside the Ford Exhibition Building at Chicago's Century of Progress Exposition in 1934. Fairgoers could tour these reproduction "Roads of the World" in courtesy vehicles.

- 1934
- Collections - Artifact
Touring Ford's Roads of the World Exhibit, Century of Progress International Exposition, Chicago, Illinois, 1934
Ford Motor Company recreated 21 sections of different historic and modern roadways outside the Ford Exhibition Building at Chicago's Century of Progress Exposition in 1934. Fairgoers could tour these reproduction "Roads of the World" in courtesy vehicles.
- Replica of the Road to Baghdad, Roads of the World, Century of Progress International Exposition, Chicago, Illinois, 1934 - "Roads of the World" was part of the Ford Motor Company's exhibition at Chicago's Century of Progress Exposition in 1934. Fairgoers rode in brand new Ford V-8s over 21 reproductions of famous roadways. This section representing the ancient Road to Baghdad in Western Asia contributed to the immersive "Roads of the World" experience.

- 1934
- Collections - Artifact
Replica of the Road to Baghdad, Roads of the World, Century of Progress International Exposition, Chicago, Illinois, 1934
"Roads of the World" was part of the Ford Motor Company's exhibition at Chicago's Century of Progress Exposition in 1934. Fairgoers rode in brand new Ford V-8s over 21 reproductions of famous roadways. This section representing the ancient Road to Baghdad in Western Asia contributed to the immersive "Roads of the World" experience.
- Ford of India Executive, Roads of the World Exhibit, Century of Progress International Exposition, Chicago, Illinois, 1934 - Ford Motor Company's exhibit at the Chicago Century of Progress Exposition in 1934 included "Roads of the World," where fairgoers could tour reproductions of famous roadways in brand new Fords. Here, a Ford of India executive poses near a recreated section of South Asia's historic Grand Trunk Road.

- 1934
- Collections - Artifact
Ford of India Executive, Roads of the World Exhibit, Century of Progress International Exposition, Chicago, Illinois, 1934
Ford Motor Company's exhibit at the Chicago Century of Progress Exposition in 1934 included "Roads of the World," where fairgoers could tour reproductions of famous roadways in brand new Fords. Here, a Ford of India executive poses near a recreated section of South Asia's historic Grand Trunk Road.
- Lincoln Beachey Stunt Flying over San Francisco, California, circa 1915 - Lincoln Beachey is remembered as America's first great stunt flyer. He perfected a series of aerobatic maneuvers -- including spins, dives, spirals, and loops -- and earned fame and fortune by staging heart-stopping exhibition flights for audiences across the country. Beachey died when the wings broke loose from his airplane during a stunt flight over San Francisco Bay in 1915.

- circa 1915
- Collections - Artifact
Lincoln Beachey Stunt Flying over San Francisco, California, circa 1915
Lincoln Beachey is remembered as America's first great stunt flyer. He perfected a series of aerobatic maneuvers -- including spins, dives, spirals, and loops -- and earned fame and fortune by staging heart-stopping exhibition flights for audiences across the country. Beachey died when the wings broke loose from his airplane during a stunt flight over San Francisco Bay in 1915.