Written by

Welles, Gideon, American, 1802 - 1878

Received by

Welles, Thomas Gideon, American, 1845 - 1892

Medium

ink on paper (fiber product)

Dimensions

H x W (Open): 7 × 8 15/16 in. (17.8 × 22.7 cm)

H x W (Closed): 7 × 4 7/16 in. (17.8 × 11.2 cm)

Type

letters (correspondence)

Place made

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

Date

March 5, 1865

Description

This is a personal letter from Gideon Welles to his son Thomas. This is a bifolio letter written in dark ink on off-white colored paper. The letter is dated at the top right:[Washington / 5th March 1865] and begins [My Dear Tom]. The letter's text fills the front page, both inside pages and half the back page. The letter congratulates Thomas on his recent military promotion and recounts the recent inauguration of President Lincoln: [The inauguration passed off pleasantly and well. There was a great crowd, exceeding any previous one I have ever witnessed at an inauguration].

Topic

African American

Correspondence

Families

Fatherhood

United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865

Credit Line

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

Object number

2018.35.2.6

Restrictions & Rights

Public domain

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Documents and Published Materials

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Written by

Onassis, Jacqueline Kennedy, American, 1929 - 1994

Subject of

McCulloch, William Moore, American, 1901 - 1980

President Kennedy, John F., American, 1917 - 1963

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 8 1/8 x 8 1/8 in. (20.6 x 20.6 cm)

Type

letters (correspondence)

Place used

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

Place depicted

Ioánnina, Epirus, Greece, Europe

Place made

Skorpiós, Ionian Islands, Greece, Europe

Date

June 24, 1971

Description

This three-page letter (abc) and envelope (d) from Jacquelyn Kennedy Onassis is addressed to Congressman William McCulloch of Ohio. Onassis thanks him for his support of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and for supporting her husband, President John. F. Kennedy. The stationery pages are pale blue, square-shaped and have a logo in the top left corner that contains an image of Aristotle Onassis's yacht, named after his daughter, and text that reads [On Board S/Y Christina]. The letter is handwritten in printscript and is signed [Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis]. The envelope is addressed [Congressman William M. McCulloch / House Office Building / Washington DC / USA] and has two postage stamps and a black ink stamp in the top right. The text of the ink stamp is illegible but it appears to be in Greek.

Topic

African American

Civil rights

Correspondence

Politics (Practical)

United States--History--1961-1969

United States--History--1969-2001

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of James F. Dicke, II

Object number

2014.1abcd

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Documents and Published Materials

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Written by

Senator Gramm, Phil, American, born 1942

Owned by

Lewis, Carl, American, born 1961

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 9 1/8 x 6 7/8 in. (23.2 x 17.5 cm)

Type

letters (correspondence)

Place made

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

Place used

Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, United States, North and Central America

Date

August 1, 1996

Description

Typed letter from Phil Gramm, US Senator from Texas, to Carl Lewis, with Gramm's signature. Dated August 1, 1996. Cream colored paper with black ink. It reads [United States Senate / WASHINGTON, D.C. / PHIL GRAMM / TEXAS/August 1, 1996 / Mr. Carl Lewis / USA Track and Field / Post Office Box 120 / Indianapolis, Indiana / 46206 (46225) / Dear Carl: / I have recently learned that on July 29, you had / the distinct honor of being awarded a record trying / ninth career gold medal in track and field. / This is an accomplishment of which you, your / family, and the United States of American can be / justifiably proud, and I offer my congratulations / on your fine achievement. / May your future endeavors be as rewarding and successful. / Your respectfully / Phil Gramm / PHILL GRAMM / United States Senator / NOT PRINTED OR MAILED AT TAXPAYER'S EXPENSE]

Topic

African American

Athletes

Politics (Practical)

Track and field

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Carl Lewis Estate

Object number

2012.154.13

Restrictions & Rights

Public Domain

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Classification

Documents and Published Materials

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Written by

Representative Bentsen, Kenneth, Jr., American, born 1959

Owned by

Lewis, Carl, American, born 1961

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 10 15/16 x 8 7/16 in. (27.8 x 21.4 cm)

Type

letters (correspondence)

Place made

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

Place used

Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, United States, North and Central America

Date

August 14, 1996

Description

Typed letter from Kenneth E. Bentsen, Jr., Texas Congressman, to Carl Lewis, with Bentsen's signature. Dated August 14, 1996. Blue U.S. House of Representatives letterhead at the top. The letter reads [August 14, 1996 / Mr. Carl Lewis / c / o USA Track & Field, P.O. Box 120 / One RCA Dome, Ste. 140 / Indianapolis, Indiana 46206 / Dear Carl: / I wish to join your family, friends, and teammates in congratulating you on your great / success at the centennial Olympic games in Atlanta and your ninth Olympic gold. I am impressed / by your outstanding performance. I consider it a great honor to be able to say that I represent that / most successful track star ever! / Good luck on your future plans. You are an inspiration to all Americans of what we can / achieve through hard work and dedication. / With kindest personal regards, / Sincerely, Kenneth Bentsen / Kenneth E. Bentsen, Jr. / Member of Congress / KEB: int1]

Topic

African American

Athletes

Track and field

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Carl Lewis Estate

Object number

2012.154.14

Restrictions & Rights

Public Domain

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Documents and Published Materials

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Issued by

Anacostia Community Museum, American, founded 1967

Written by

Hutchinson, Louise D., American, 1928 - 2014

Received by

Sklarek, Norma Merrick, American, 1926 - 2012

Subject of

Welton Becket and Associates, American, 1949 - 1987

Owned by

Sklarek, Norma Merrick, American, 1926 - 2012

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 10 1/2 × 8 in. (26.7 × 20.3 cm)

Type

letters (correspondence)

Place depicted

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

Place used

Santa Monica, Los Angeles County, California, United States, North and Central America

Date

August 1982

Description

Letter from the Anacostia Museum to Norma Sklarek. The white paper has a black printed letterhead with a sun logo on the left and text [EXHIBITS DESIGN AND PRODUCTION LABORATORY / THE ANACOSTIA NEIGHBORHOOD MUSEUM SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION]. Below this is contact information. There is a black stamp on the upper right which reads [RECEIVED / AUG 13 1982 / WELTON BECKET ASSOCIATES]. The letter is addressed to Sklarek and begins [Thank you so very much for your prompt reply…]. The letter discusses the revision of an exhibit titled “Black Women: Achievements Against the Odds” and requests a photograph of Sklarek at work for inclusion. The reverse is blank.

Topic

African American

Architecture

Correspondence

Local and regional

Museums

Women

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of David Merrick Fairweather and Yvonne Goff

Object number

TA2018.23.3.1.11.18

Restrictions & Rights

Unknown - Restrictions Possible

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Documents and Published Materials

Archival Collections

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Received by

Dick Howard, American, 1935 - 1967

Written by

President Richard M. Nixon, American, 1913 - 1994

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 9 1/16 x 7 in. (23 x 17.8 cm)

Type

letters (correspondence)

Place made

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

Place depicted

1824 Las Lomas N.E., Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, New Mexico, United States, North and Central America

Date

July 22, 1960

Description

A typed letter from Vice President Richard Nixon to Richard W. Howard extending his congratulations on Howard's performance at the Olympic track and field trials at Stanford University. He also wished Howard success at the 1960 Rome Olympics. The letter is typed on Office of the Vice President letterhead and signed by Nixon in the bottom right corner. Along the top in the center is the seal of the United States with thirteen (13) stars surrounding a bald eagle.

Topic

African American

Athletes

Track and field

United States--History--1953-1961

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Howard Family

Object number

2012.140.2.1

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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Classification

Documents and Published Materials

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Written by

Womack, Thomas, American

Received by

Womack, Julia, American, 1881 - 1942

Medium

graphite on paper

Dimensions

H x W (.1 open): 6 1/8 × 10 in. (15.6 × 25.4 cm)

H x W (.2): 3 1/4 × 5 1/8 in. (8.3 × 13 cm)

Type

envelopes

letters (correspondence)

Place made

Darlington Heights, Prince Edward County, Virginia, United States, North and Central America

Place depicted

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

Date

April 7, 1915

Description

This letter was written on April 7, 1915 by Thomas Womack from Darlington Heights, Virginia, to Julia Womack in Washington, D.C. The letter wishes Julia better health as she was recently ill, and mentions a matter that Thomas would like to discuss so they can "get it threw [sic] with." He asks Julia to inform him when she will be returning to Darlington Heights. The letter is written on ruled paper folded in half vertically to form four pages. The envelope has no return address. A two-cent red postage stamp is adhered in the recto upper right corner with a post office stamp to the left.

Topic

African American

Correspondence

Families

Health

Credit Line

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

Object number

2014.63.102.34.1-.2

Restrictions & Rights

Public domain

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Documents and Published Materials

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Written by

Hessler, Sheila Ann, American

Received by

Gibson, Althea, American, 1927 - 2003

Medium

ink on paper (fiber product)

Dimensions

H x W: 10 1/2 x 8 in. (26.7 x 20.3 cm)

Type

letters (correspondence)

Place depicted

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

Central Park West, Manhattan, New York City, New York County, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date

April 13, 1959

Description

An original 2-page typed letter dated 1959 to Althea Gibson from the Chairman of the Women's Tennis Committee, part of the U.S. Department of State. The letter is wirtten on Department of State letterhead.

Topic

African American

Athletes

Correspondence

Local and regional

Tennis

Credit Line

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

Object number

2009.27.1.8ab

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

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Documents and Published Materials

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Written by

Representative DeLay, Tom, American, born 1947

Owned by

Lewis, Carl, American, born 1961

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 10 15/16 x 8 1/2 in. (27.8 x 21.6 cm)

Type

letters (correspondence)

Place used

Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, United States, North and Central America

Place made

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

Date

August 27, 1996

Description

Typed letter from Tom DeLay., Texas Congressman, to Carl Lewis, with DeLay's signature. Dated August 27, 1996. Blue U.S. House of Representatives letterhead at the top. The letter reads [August 27, 1996 / Mr. Carl Lewis / USA Track & Field / P.O. Box 120 / (One RCA Dome, Ste. 140) / Indianapolis, IN 46206 (46225) / Dear Mr. Lewis: I wanted to take the opportunity to congratulate you for your exceptional performance in / the U.S. Olympic long jump competition. / Once again, you have proven yourself an excellent and enduring athlete. Your hard work / and dedication have paid off, adding more medals to your already flourishing collection. This is / something of which you deserve to be immensely proud. / Congratulations on your accomplishments. You are a fine representative of the United / States and the great state of Texas, and I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors. / Sincerely / Tom DeLay / Tom DeLay / Member of Congress / TD:ple]

Topic

African American

Athletes

Track and field

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Carl Lewis Estate

Object number

2012.154.15

Restrictions & Rights

Public Domain

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Documents and Published Materials

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Received by

Dick Howard, American, 1935 - 1967

Written by

President Richard M. Nixon, American, 1913 - 1994

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 9 x 7 in. (22.9 x 17.8 cm)

Type

letters (correspondence)

Place made

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

Place depicted

1824 Las Lomas N.E., Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, New Mexico, United States, North and Central America

Date

October 22, 1960

Description

A typed letter from Vice President Richard Nixon to Richard W. Howard extending his congratulations on Howard's performance in the 400M hurdles at the 1960 Rome Olympics. The letter is typed on Office of the Vice President letterhead and signed by Nixon on the bottom right. Along the top in the center is the seal of the United States with thirteen (13) stars surrounding a bald eagle.

Topic

African American

Athletes

Olympics

Track and field

United States--History--1953-1961

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Howard Family

Object number

2012.140.2.2

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Documents and Published Materials

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

Murrow, Edward R., American, 1908 - 1965

Subject of

Gillespie, Dizzy, American, 1917 - 1993

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 8 1/2 x 11 in. (21.6 x 27.9 cm)

Type

letters (correspondence)

Place made

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

Date

February 7, 1961

Description

A typewritten letter on United States Information Agency letterhead. The letter starts, "Dear Mr. Gillespie: / Your letter of congratulations was most welcome, / and I appreciate your good wishes as I begin my work / with USIA." It is signed "Edward R. Murrow" in the bottom right corner.

Topic

African American

Africa

Correspondence

International affairs

Jazz (Music)

Local and regional

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Paxton and Rachel Baker

Object number

2012.172.11

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Documents and Published Materials

Exhibition

Musical Crossroads

On View

NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 053

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

United States Department of War, American, 1789 - 1947

Written by

Maj. Gen. Wahl, Lutz, American, 1869 - 1928

Received by

Cpl. McVey,, Lawrence Leslie Sr., American, 1897 - 1968

Subject of

369th Infantry Regiment, American, 1913 - 1945

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 10 1/2 x 8 in. (26.7 x 20.3 cm)

Type

correspondence

Place made

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

Date

September 17, 1928

Caption

The 369th United States Infantry, nicknamed the “Harlem Hellfighters,” was the first African American regiment of troops to reach the battlefields of World War I. The 369th Regiment was formed from the 15th New York National Guard Regiment and was recognized as part of the U.S. Army on July 15th, 1917. The regiment arrived in Brest, France on January 1st, 1918, being the first African American U.S. soldiers to arrive in France and initially assigned to dam building and stevedores in charge of loading and unloading cargo. The 369th Regiment, due to racial tension within the US Army was assigned to the French Army for the duration of US involvement in WWI. The 369th were the first Allied troops of the war to reach the banks of the Rhine. Upon completion of the 369th’s service in the war, the regiment had spent 191 days in combat, the longest of any American regiment. The entire 369th Regiment, in appreciation for their actions in the Maison-en-Champagne campaign, was given the Croix de Guerre, a medal awarded by the French Government for acts of bravery in conflicts against the enemy. In addition to this honor, 171 individual members of the 369th Regiment were awarded the Croix de Guerre and the Legion of Honor. The 369th Regiment finished their service in Europe and returned to the US in February 1919.

Description

A letter from Adjutant General, Major General Lutz Wahl to Corporal Lawrence McVey forwarding the French dispatch awarding the French Croix de Guerre to McVey and asking for a receipt to be returned. The letter is signed by Wahl at the bottom. The letter has been folded multiple times horizontally, three distinct creases can be seen.

Topic

African American

Correspondence

Military

World War I

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Gina R. McVey, Granddaughter

Object number

2011.108.23

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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Documents and Published Materials

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National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

United States Department of War, American, 1789 - 1947

Received by

Cpl. McVey,, Lawrence Leslie Sr., American, 1897 - 1968

Subject of

369th Infantry Regiment, American, 1913 - 1945

Medium

ink on paper with plaster

Dimensions

H x W: 10 1/2 x 8 in. (26.7 x 20.3 cm)

Type

correspondence

Place made

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

New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date

May 16, 1919

Caption

The 369th United States Infantry, nicknamed the “Harlem Hellfighters,” was the first African American regiment of troops to reach the battlefields of World War I. The 369th Regiment was formed from the 15th New York National Guard Regiment and was recognized as part of the U.S. Army on July 15th, 1917. The regiment arrived in Brest, France on January 1st, 1918, being the first African American U.S. soldiers to arrive in France and initially assigned to dam building and stevedores in charge of loading and unloading cargo. The 369th Regiment, due to racial tension within the US Army was assigned to the French Army for the duration of US involvement in WWI. The 369th were the first Allied troops of the war to reach the banks of the Rhine. Upon completion of the 369th’s service in the war, the regiment had spent 191 days in combat, the longest of any American regiment. The entire 369th Regiment, in appreciation for their actions in the Maison-en-Champagne campaign, was given the Croix de Guerre, a medal awarded by the French Government for acts of bravery in conflicts against the enemy. In addition to this honor, 171 individual members of the 369th Regiment were awarded the Croix de Guerre and the Legion of Honor. The 369th Regiment finished their service in Europe and returned to the US in February 1919.

Description

A letter from the Adjutant General to Lawrence McVey announcing the enclosure of a French Croix de Guerre medal with bronze star, citation, and certificate, and asking for a receipt. The document is mounted to sheets of adhesive cloth on the reverse that have the label, [POROUS PLASTER / Manufactured for / LOEWENSTEIN'S PHARMACY].

Topic

African American

Correspondence

Military

World War I

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Gina R. McVey, Granddaughter

Object number

2011.108.24

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

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Documents and Published Materials

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Written by

Douglass, Joseph Henry, American, 1871 - 1935

Received by

Terrell, Mary Church, American, 1863 - 1954

Subject of

Stowe, Harriet Beecher, American, 1811 - 1896

National Association of Colored Women's Clubs, American, founded 1896

Medium

ink on paper (fiber product)

Dimensions

H x W: 11 × 8 3/8 in. (27.9 × 21.3 cm)

Type

letters (correspondence)

Place made

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

Date

May 31, 1911

Description

Letter to Mrs. Terrell from Joseph H. Douglass, grandson of Frederick Douglass, dated May 31, 1911. Single page written on Douglass' personal stationary. Black ink on tan paper. Letter head at the top reads [JOSEPH H. DOUGLASS / Solo Violinist / ENGAGEMENTS ACCEPTED / FOR RECITALS / CONCERTS AND CHURCH / SERVICES / NOW TOURING AMERICA]. Along the left side of the page is a text box containing five quotes from newspapers titled [PRESS COMMENTS]. The handwritten letter reads [1644 Fla. ave N. W. / Wash. D.C. May 31st 1911 / My dear Mrs Terrell: / Replying to your esteemed / favor just received, will say / that it is my pleasure to / accept the invitation to the present / and render a violin selection / on the occasion of the one hun- / dredth anniversary of Harriet / Beecher Stowe. / I thank you for the oppor- / tunity and honor which enables / me to add my little mite / in the celebration of that noble / woman's birth as well as to appear / before such a body of honored women. / I am proud of the fact that / among those mentioned in your / letter, none will be more represen- / tative or distinguished among the / speakers of the meeting than your / honored self. / Yours most sincerely / Joseph H. Douglass / (P.S. / I have carefully / noted the date June 14")]

Topic

African American

Classical (Music)

Instrumentalists (Musicians)

Political organizations

Social reform

Women

Credit Line

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

Object number

2013.46.22

Restrictions & Rights

Public domain

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Documents and Published Materials-Business and Legal Documents

Exhibition

Musical Crossroads

On View

NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 053

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture