Created by

United States Mint, American, founded 1792

Owned by

Monroe, George, American, 1916 - 2001

Medium

copper alloy

Dimensions

Diameter: 3/4 in. (1.9 cm)

3/4 x 3/4 x 1/16 in. (1.9 x 1.9 x 0.2 cm)

Type

coins

Place collected

Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States, North and Central America

Date

1909-1921

Description

A charred penny from the Tulsa riot in 1921. The penny is black. The embossing on the front of the penny is no longer visible. The back side of the coin is melted with only the words "ONE / CENT / UNITED" visible.

Topic

African American

Communities

Race discrimination

United States--History--1919-1933

Violence

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Scott Ellsworth

Object number

2012.96.5

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Coins and Currency

Exhibition

Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: The Era of Segregation, 1876-1968

On View

NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 2, C 2053

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Manufactured by

Unidentified

Owned by

Cobb, William Montague M.D., American, 1904 - 1990

Medium

metal

Dimensions

H x W x D (calipers): 11 3/4 × 3 7/8 × 1/2 in. (29.8 × 9.8 × 1.3 cm)

H x W x D (screw): 5/8 × 3/8 × 3/8 in. (1.6 × 1 × 1 cm)

Type

calipers

Place used

Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America

Date

mid 20th century

Description

This is a spreading metal caliper with curved, rounded ends. There is a crossbar scale that slides as the rounded ends get farther apart. The small circular screw that holds the scale in place has become detached.

Topic

African American

Activism

Education

Health

Local and regional

Medicine

Race discrimination

Science

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Dr. Michael L. Blakey

Object number

2014.308.1ab

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Tools and Equipment-Medical

Exhibition

Making a Way Out of No Way

On View

NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 050

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

United States Mint, American, founded 1792

Owned by

Monroe, George, American, 1916 - 2001

Medium

copper alloy

Dimensions

Diameter: 3/4 in. (1.9 cm)

3/4 x 3/4 x 1/16 in. (1.9 x 1.9 x 0.2 cm)

Type

coins

Place collected

Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States, North and Central America

Date

1909-1921

Description

A charred penny from the Tulsa riot in 1921. The penny is red and brown. The front of the penny is melted with only the word "Liberty" visible. Some embossing on the back side of the coin is still visible the words "ONE / CENT / UNITED STATES / OF AMERICA" still readable at center. Wheat is on either side of the embossed words.

Topic

African American

Communities

Race discrimination

United States--History--1919-1933

Violence

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Scott Ellsworth

Object number

2012.96.3

Restrictions & Rights

Public domain

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Coins and Currency

Exhibition

Power of Place

On View

NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 051

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

United States Mint, American, founded 1792

Owned by

Monroe, George, American, 1916 - 2001

Medium

copper alloy

Dimensions

Diameter: 3/4 in. (1.9 cm)

3/4 x 3/4 x 1/16 in. (1.9 x 1.9 x 0.2 cm)

Type

coins

Place collected

Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States, North and Central America

Date

1919

Description

A charred penny from the Tulsa riot in 1921. The penny is red and brown. The embossing on the front of the penny is still visible. The word "Liberty" is on the left side next to a portrait of President Abraham Lincoln in profile. "1919" appears next to Lincoln on the right side. The back side of the coin is completely melted and nothing is visible.

Topic

African American

Communities

Race discrimination

United States--History--1919-1933

Violence

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Scott Ellsworth

Object number

2012.96.4

Restrictions & Rights

Public domain

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Coins and Currency

Exhibition

Power of Place

On View

NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 051

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Published by

Bunn Publishing Company, American

Written by

Bunn, Clinton Orrin, American, 1877 - 1924

Owned by

B. C. Franklin, American, 1879 - 1960

Subject of

Judge Brett, Rutherford, American, founded 1867

Medium

paper, ink

Dimensions

10 1/4 × 7 1/2 × 2 11/16 in. (26 × 19 × 6.8 cm)

Type

hardcover books

Place used

Tulsa, Tulsa County, Oklahoma, United States, North and Central America

Date

1922

Description

A hardcover book titled Compiled Statutes of Oklahoma, 1921, Vol. 1 written by Clinton Orrin Bunn. The cover is brown and red. Handwritten in ink on the spine is “Judge Rutherford Division Two.” Written on the front cover is “Division Two.” The book is annotated and has several handwritten notes in the margins throughout the book.

Index pages (1567-1584) and blank end page are loose and separated from the rest of the book.

Topic

African American

American South

American West

Law

Race discrimination

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of John W. and Karen R. Franklin

Object number

2013.238.1ab

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Documents and Published Materials-Published Works

Exhibition

Power of Place

On View

NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 051

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Manufactured by

United States Mint, American, founded 1792

Owned by

Monroe, George, American, 1916 - 2001

Medium

copper alloy

Dimensions

Diameter: 3/4 in. (1.9 cm)

3/4 x 3/4 x 1/16 in. (1.9 x 1.9 x 0.2 cm)

Type

coins

Place collected

Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States, North and Central America

Date

1915

Description

A charred penny from the Tulsa riot in 1921. The penny is black, dark gray, red and brown. The embossing on the front of the penny is still visible. The word "Liberty" is on the left side next to a portrait of President Abraham Lincoln in profile. "1915" appears next to Lincoln on the right side. The back side of the coin is melted with only the word "ONE" visible.

Topic

African American

Communities

Race discrimination

United States--History--1919-1933

Violence

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Scott Ellsworth

Object number

2012.96.1

Restrictions & Rights

Public domain

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Coins and Currency

Exhibition

Power of Place

On View

NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 051

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Designed by

Boyd, Henry, American, 1802 - 1886

Manufactured by

Boyd Manufacturing Company, American, ca. 1830 - 1870

Medium

wood

Dimensions

H x W x D: 79 × 57 × 84 in., 140 lb. (200.7 × 144.8 × 213.4 cm, 63.5 kg)

Type

beds (furniture)

Place made

Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio, United States, North and Central America

Date

ca. 1840

Description

A wooden four poster bed frame with head board and foot board. The side rails screw into the frame providing greater strength and limited hiding places for vermin. This type of frame is known as the "Boyd Bedstead."

Topic

African American

Business

Craftsmanship

Emancipation

Freedom

Men

Race discrimination

Slavery

Technology

United States--History--1815-1861

United States--History--1865-1921

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2012.113.1a-m

Restrictions & Rights

Public Domain

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Slavery and Freedom Objects

Decorative Arts, Craft, and Design

Exhibition

Making a Way Out of No Way

On View

NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 050

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

United States Mint, American, founded 1792

Owned by

Monroe, George, American, 1916 - 2001

Medium

copper alloy

Dimensions

Diameter: 3/4 in. (1.9 cm)

3/4 x 3/4 x 1/16 in. (1.9 x 1.9 x 0.2 cm)

Type

coins

Place collected

Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States, North and Central America

Date

1917

Description

A charred penny from the Tulsa riot in 1921. The penny is red and brown. The embossing on the front of the penny is still visible. The word "Liberty" is on the left side next to a portrait of President Abraham Lincoln in profile. "1917" appears next to Lincoln on the right side. The back side of the coin is completely melted and nothing is visible.

Topic

African American

Communities

Race discrimination

United States--History--1919-1933

Violence

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Scott Ellsworth

Object number

2012.96.2

Restrictions & Rights

Public domain

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Coins and Currency

Exhibition

Power of Place

On View

NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 051

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Manufactured by

Unidentified

Owned by

Cobb, William Montague M.D., American, 1904 - 1990

Medium

metal

Dimensions

H x W x D: 5 3/8 × 10 1/4 × 7/16 in. (13.7 × 26 × 1.1 cm)

Type

graduates

Place used

Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America

Date

mid 20th century

Description

This is a metal caliper with a sliding scale. The head has pointed edges. The top section is fixed in place, while the lower section moves up and down the ruler. A small screw is present at the side of the lower section.

Topic

African American

Activism

Education

Health

Local and regional

Medicine

Race discrimination

Science

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Dr. Michael L. Blakey

Object number

2014.308.2

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Tools and Equipment-Medical

Exhibition

Making a Way Out of No Way

On View

NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 050

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

Unidentified

Subject of

Williams, Matthew, 1908 -1931

Owned by

Henderson, Paul, American, 1899 - 1988

Medium

rope and oil with lead on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 12 x 9 in. (30.5 x 22.9 cm)

Type

ropework

Place depicted

Salisbury, Wicomico County, Maryland, United States, North and Central America

Date

December 1931

Description

A section of rope (a) tethered to a handwritten note that is in two pieces (bc).The note, written by Paul Henderson, is composed of graphite on tan paper, in a faint hand at the top is [Lyncher's Rope]. The main text of the note starts [Rope "souvenir" which was used by Salisbury, Md. mob to hang Matthew Williams, 23-year-old citizen]. Secured to the bottom of the note with two pieces of twine, the rope has been soaked in oil and appears brown in color. The note has been folded in multiple places and worn at the folds. It has been repaired with tape at the top fold and the bottom portion, holds the rope, has come completely detached.

Topic

African American

Hate crimes

Local and regional

Lynching

Race discrimination

United States--History--1919-1933

Violence

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of The Estate of Paul S. Henderson

Object number

2013.50abc

Restrictions & Rights

Public Domain

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Memorabilia and Ephemera

Tools and Equipment-Weapons and ammunition

Exhibition

Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: The Era of Segregation, 1876-1968

On View

NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 2, C 2053

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Manufactured by

Unidentified

Subject of

Williams Dreamland Theater, American, founded 1906

Medium

wood, metal, varnish

Dimensions

32 x 33 x 17 1/4 in. (81.3 x 83.8 x 43.8 cm)

Type

writing desks

Place collected

Greenwood, Tulsa, Tulsa County, Oklahoma, United States, North and Central America

Date

early 20th century

Description

Wooden writing desk with four fluted legs. At the front, below the mid-section, on either side are long rectangles of wood with angled triangles extending out from center. The desk has four cubby holes below a shelf on the back of the writing surface. There is a pair of cubbies on either side of the desk’s writing surface as well. The writing surface slides in and out of mid-section with two hand holds for easy access on either side of the top near the front. The front portion of the writing top is slightly curved. The desk has a large rectangular drawer with scalloped lower edges on the front. The front of the drawer has two pairs of carved out scallops near the center. The drawer slides in and out of lower portion of the desk top.

Topic

African American

Business

Race discrimination

United States--History--1919-1933

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Families of Anita Williams Christopher and David Owen Williams

Object number

2013.119

Restrictions & Rights

Public Domain

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Furnishings, Housewares, and Décor

Exhibition

Power of Place

On View

NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 051

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

Eagle Regalia Company, American, founded 1910

Subject of

Scottsboro Boys, American, 1931 - 1989

International Labor Defense, American, 1925 - 1946

Medium

celluloid and metal

Dimensions

H x W: 7/8 x 7/8 in. (2.2 x 2.2 cm)

Type

buttons (information artifacts)

Place depicted

Paint Rock, Jackson County, Alabama, United States, North and Central America

Place made

Eagle Regalia Co. 298 Broadway, New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date

1931

Description

A circular pin-back button with red typeface and a graphic of two arms (representing the International Labor Defense) bending open prison bars with nine men's busts below. Red type at the top reads: [SAVE / THE / SCOTTSBORO / BOYS]. The back of the pin has a paper backing with handwriting and print that reads: [5383 / Eagle Regalia Co / 298 Broadway / New York]. A logo of the maker is below the type.

Topic

African American

Justice

Law

Race discrimination

United States--History--1919-1933

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2012.86

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Memorabilia and Ephemera-Political and Activist Ephemera

Exhibition

Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: The Era of Segregation, 1876-1968

On View

NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 2, C 2053

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture