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- Shadow Box Valentine, circa 1800 - The custom of sending messages of affection on February 14 dates back to Roman times, when mid-February was a time to meet and court prospective mates. The earliest American valentines were labors of love, handmade by the sender. The spread of commercially produced valentines in the second half of the nineteenth century made sending and receiving Valentine's Day cards a more lighthearted activity.
- circa 1800
- Collections - Artifact
Shadow Box Valentine, circa 1800
The custom of sending messages of affection on February 14 dates back to Roman times, when mid-February was a time to meet and court prospective mates. The earliest American valentines were labors of love, handmade by the sender. The spread of commercially produced valentines in the second half of the nineteenth century made sending and receiving Valentine's Day cards a more lighthearted activity.
- Commemorative Half Dollar Coin Featuring Booker T. Washington, 1946 - In 1946, Booker T. Washington became the first African American featured on a coin issued by the U.S. Mint. Artist, sculptor, and educator Isaac Scott Hathaway -- the first African American commissioned by the U.S. Mint to design a coin -- created the commemorative half-dollar. Sales of the coin were earmarked to establish and maintain Washington's birthplace as a national monument.
- 1946
- Collections - Artifact
Commemorative Half Dollar Coin Featuring Booker T. Washington, 1946
In 1946, Booker T. Washington became the first African American featured on a coin issued by the U.S. Mint. Artist, sculptor, and educator Isaac Scott Hathaway -- the first African American commissioned by the U.S. Mint to design a coin -- created the commemorative half-dollar. Sales of the coin were earmarked to establish and maintain Washington's birthplace as a national monument.
- Cincinnati Industrial Exposition Medal Awarded to C. Potter Jr. & Co. for Their Cylinder Printing Press, 1873 - Between 1870 and 1888 Cincinnati businessmen backed a series of fairs to promote their city. Exhibitors to these Cincinnati Industrial Expositions displayed inventions, artwork, and manufactured goods. Officials awarded medals and other premiums to participants whose products illustrated important cultural or technological contributions. C. Potter and Company received this medal for its printing press.
- 1873
- Collections - Artifact
Cincinnati Industrial Exposition Medal Awarded to C. Potter Jr. & Co. for Their Cylinder Printing Press, 1873
Between 1870 and 1888 Cincinnati businessmen backed a series of fairs to promote their city. Exhibitors to these Cincinnati Industrial Expositions displayed inventions, artwork, and manufactured goods. Officials awarded medals and other premiums to participants whose products illustrated important cultural or technological contributions. C. Potter and Company received this medal for its printing press.
- Letter from Francis Jehl to Henry Ford and Edsel Ford regarding Invitation to Light's Golden Jubilee, October 1, 1929 - On October 21, 1929, Henry Ford hosted an event, Light's Golden Jubilee, which celebrated the 50th anniversary of Thomas Edison's invention of the incandescent lamp. Francis Jehl was "deeply honored" to be invited. Jehl, a 19-year-old lab assistant at Menlo Park in 1879 when Edison first successfully tested his incandescent lamp, would assist Edison again in recreating that momentous occasion at Light's Golden Jubilee.
- October 21, 1929
- Collections - Artifact
Letter from Francis Jehl to Henry Ford and Edsel Ford regarding Invitation to Light's Golden Jubilee, October 1, 1929
On October 21, 1929, Henry Ford hosted an event, Light's Golden Jubilee, which celebrated the 50th anniversary of Thomas Edison's invention of the incandescent lamp. Francis Jehl was "deeply honored" to be invited. Jehl, a 19-year-old lab assistant at Menlo Park in 1879 when Edison first successfully tested his incandescent lamp, would assist Edison again in recreating that momentous occasion at Light's Golden Jubilee.
- "The Father and the Saviour of Our Country," 1865 - During the late 19th century, no one would have equated Abraham Lincoln with the most esteemed American of all time, George Washington. Opinions about President Lincoln were too divisive. But the more Lincoln was paired with Washington, the stronger his reputation grew until, by the early 20th century, Lincoln--"man of the people"--eclipsed the more aristocratic Washington in popularity.
- 1865
- Collections - Artifact
"The Father and the Saviour of Our Country," 1865
During the late 19th century, no one would have equated Abraham Lincoln with the most esteemed American of all time, George Washington. Opinions about President Lincoln were too divisive. But the more Lincoln was paired with Washington, the stronger his reputation grew until, by the early 20th century, Lincoln--"man of the people"--eclipsed the more aristocratic Washington in popularity.
- H. J. Heinz Memorial Statue Dedication, "A Golden Day," at Heinz Main Plant, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, October 11, 1924 - H.J. Heinz valued a strong relationship between his company and its employees. This resulted in a world-class employee welfare program which included amenities, programs, and policies with consideration for employees' well-being. In 1924, to commemorate the company's 55th anniversary, employees erected a memorial statue as a token of their gratitude for their employer. This is a program from the celebration, called "A Golden Day."
- 1925
- Collections - Artifact
H. J. Heinz Memorial Statue Dedication, "A Golden Day," at Heinz Main Plant, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, October 11, 1924
H.J. Heinz valued a strong relationship between his company and its employees. This resulted in a world-class employee welfare program which included amenities, programs, and policies with consideration for employees' well-being. In 1924, to commemorate the company's 55th anniversary, employees erected a memorial statue as a token of their gratitude for their employer. This is a program from the celebration, called "A Golden Day."
- Commemorative Book for H. J. Heinz, 1844-1919 - H.J. Heinz was not only a successful entrepreneur in the manufactured food industry but was also respected among his employees and a beloved member of society. Upon his death in 1919, the H.J. Heinz Company published this booklet commemorating his life through reflections on his boyhood, family, religion, and business ethics, among other things. Also included are editorials from various newspapers announcing his death.
- 1919
- Collections - Artifact
Commemorative Book for H. J. Heinz, 1844-1919
H.J. Heinz was not only a successful entrepreneur in the manufactured food industry but was also respected among his employees and a beloved member of society. Upon his death in 1919, the H.J. Heinz Company published this booklet commemorating his life through reflections on his boyhood, family, religion, and business ethics, among other things. Also included are editorials from various newspapers announcing his death.
- Commemorative Poster, "Phil Remington, 1921-2013" - Phil Remington was one of racing's greatest fabricators and metalworkers. He was Carroll Shelby's chief engineer during Ford's Le Mans program in the 1960s. Remington joined Dan Gurney's All American Racers in 1969, where he developed race cars and motorcycles. When "Rem" passed away in 2013, he was mourned throughout the racing world.
- Collections - Artifact
Commemorative Poster, "Phil Remington, 1921-2013"
Phil Remington was one of racing's greatest fabricators and metalworkers. He was Carroll Shelby's chief engineer during Ford's Le Mans program in the 1960s. Remington joined Dan Gurney's All American Racers in 1969, where he developed race cars and motorcycles. When "Rem" passed away in 2013, he was mourned throughout the racing world.
- Letter from Charles Greely (C.G.) Abbot to Henry Ford and Edsel Ford regarding Invitation to Light's Golden Jubilee, October 1, 1929 - On October 21, 1929, Henry Ford hosted an event, Light's Golden Jubilee, which celebrated the 50th anniversary of Thomas Edison's invention of the incandescent lamp. The event also served as the official dedication of The Edison Institute, Ford's museum complex named in honor of his friend. Among the invited guests was Secretary of the Smithsonian Dr. C.G. Abbott, who accepted the Ford's courteous invitation.
- October 21, 1929
- Collections - Artifact
Letter from Charles Greely (C.G.) Abbot to Henry Ford and Edsel Ford regarding Invitation to Light's Golden Jubilee, October 1, 1929
On October 21, 1929, Henry Ford hosted an event, Light's Golden Jubilee, which celebrated the 50th anniversary of Thomas Edison's invention of the incandescent lamp. The event also served as the official dedication of The Edison Institute, Ford's museum complex named in honor of his friend. Among the invited guests was Secretary of the Smithsonian Dr. C.G. Abbott, who accepted the Ford's courteous invitation.
- George Washington Commemorative Cup from Centennial Exhibition, circa 1876 - The first official World's Fair held in the United States celebrated the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Around ten million people visited Philadelphia during the Centennial International Exhibition of 1876. Many returned home with mementos of the exposition, such as this cup depicting the nation's first president among patriotic imagery.
- circa 1876
- Collections - Artifact
George Washington Commemorative Cup from Centennial Exhibition, circa 1876
The first official World's Fair held in the United States celebrated the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Around ten million people visited Philadelphia during the Centennial International Exhibition of 1876. Many returned home with mementos of the exposition, such as this cup depicting the nation's first president among patriotic imagery.