NMAAHC Collections Search

Receipt for payment to Jack Little for his service in the Continental Army

Issued by: State of Connecticut, American, founded 1778
Subject of: Continental Army, American, 1775 - 1796; 4th Connecticut Regiment, 1775 - 1783
Signed by: Little, Jack, American; Lawrence, Samuel, American; Butler, Richard, American

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W: 4 3/16 x 8 5/16 in. (10.6 x 21.1 cm)

Type: receipts

Place used: Connecticut, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1782

Description: Revolutionary War payment receipt owned by Jack Little, a soldier from the 2nd Company, 4th Regiment of the Connecticut Line, in the Continental Army. The receipt is printed on yellowed paper with black ink. It has a printed border with the words “FOR THE PAYMENT OF” at the top and “THE CONNECTICUT LINE” at the bottom. At the center of the document is printed text with blank spaces. Additional handwritten words and numbers have been recorded in the document in order to complete it. The left side of the document has been trimmed and there is a circular hole in the center of the paper. On the back of the certificate additional payments are recorded with handwritten notes in black ink by at least two different people. Also written on the back is Jack Little’s mark.

Topic: African American; Business; Military; United States--History--Colonial period; United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2011.155.313

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Documents and Published Materials-Business and Legal Documents
Exhibition: Double Victory: The African American Military Experience
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Montford Point Marines Congressional Gold Medal

Commissioned by: United States Congress, American, founded 1789
Created by: United States Mint, American, founded 1792
Subject of: 51st Marine Defense Battalion, American, founded 1942; 52nd Marine Defense Battalion, American, founded 1943

Medium: Medal: gold;; Sleeve: velvet;; Box: cherry wood, velvet
Dimensions: Diameter (medal): 3 × 3/16 in. (7.6 × 0.5 cm); H x W x D (velvet case for medal): 3 7/8 × 5 × 3/16 in. (9.8 × 12.7 × 0.5 cm); H x W x D (wooden case for medal): 3 × 6 1/8 × 5 in. (7.6 × 15.6 × 12.7 cm)

Type: medals

Place depicted: Jacksonville, Onslow County, North Carolina, United States, North and Central America

Date: 2011

Description: Congressional gold medal in honor of Montford Point Marines has a relief on its obverse featuring three Marines on the left and three in the forefront with rifles. Text following apex of the medal's arc reads [MONTFORD POINT MARINES / 1942-1949]. On verso is a relief of a troop in formation with a tower in the background on the right; the text reads: [FOR / OUTSTANDING / PERSEVERANCE / and COURAGE / that INSPIRED / SOCIAL CHANGE / in the/MARINE CORPS / 2011 ACT OF CONGRESS].; A rectangular velvet sleeve encases the gold medal; a small tab at the top of the sleeve assists the medal's removal from the box.; The storage container is a cherry wood box with a brass hinged lid and push-release button on the front center which opens it. The lid has the gold embossed logo of the U.S. Treasury encircled with text which reads [Treasury / United States Mint] and [United States Mint] is in calligraphic script beneath the logo.

Topic: African American; Military; Montford Point Marines; Segregation; World War II

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2015.237ab

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Awards and Medals
Exhibition: Double Victory: The African American Military Experience
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

U.S. Army M-1879 junior officer's dress coat worn by John Hanks Alexander

Created by: Haas, John G., American
Worn by: Alexander, John Hanks, American, 1864 - 1894
Subject of: 9th Cavalry Regiment, American, founded 1866

Medium: Coat: wool, silk, and cotton with metal buttons;; Shoulder knots: metal cord, metal passementerie, metal button, metal clip, wool, batting, and paper
Dimensions: H x W (coat flat): 32 1/2 × 18 1/8 in. (82.6 × 46 cm); H x W x D (shoulder boards (each)): 1 1/4 × 4 × 6 3/4 in. (3.2 × 10.2 × 17.1 cm)

Type: shoulder knots; frock coats; dress uniforms

Date: ca. 1890

Description: A navy blue wool U.S. Army M-1879 junior officer's dress uniform frock coat (a) worn by John Hanks Alexander of the 9th US Cavalry with two shoulder knots (b, c). The coat is made from a very dark navy blue wool broadcloth and features a double-breasted reverse-front that closes with seven (7) metal buttons on each front side featuring an embossed design of an eagle holding an olive branch in one talon and three arrows in the other with a shield in front of its chest having a "C" in the middle of it. The coat has a short standing collar that fastens at the center front neck with one (1) metal hook-and-eye. The full-length fitted sleeves close at the slit cuffs with three (3) metal buttons each featuring the same design as the breast buttons on each cuff. A fabric loop is sewn at each outer shoulder and a metal loop at each inner shoulder for attaching the shoulder knots (b, c) to the coat. The tail of the coat has one deep slit at the center back. There are two (2) metal eagle buttons sewn one at either side of the center back waist at the top of the pleated tail. Two (2) additional buttons are sewn one at the bottom of each decorative side placket tucked under the pleat of each tail. The body and tails are lined with a black half-silk satin. The interior breasts, shoulders, and underarms are padded and quilted in parallel lines. An interior waist belt made from the broadcloth is sewn to the interior back and sides, but left loose in the front and fastens with one (1) large flat hook-and-eye at the center front. There is one (1) welted pocket at the interior proper left breast oriented vertically and one (1) welted pocket at the interior proper right breast oriented horizontally. There are two (2) inset tail pockets, one in the lining of each back side tail near the center back slit. All of the pockets are lined with black glazed cotton. The sleeves are fully lined with a cream cotton and silk striped fabric. A black fabric label is sewn at the interior center back neck with copper machine-embroidered text reading "John G. Haas / Lancaster, Pa.".; The shoulder knots (b, c) are both alike with a loop of doubled thick gilded metal cord at the top, a length of braid made from the metal cord, and an oval pillow faced in yellow wool broadcloth and trimmed in three rows of the metal cord. Centered in the pillow is a number "9" made from tightly coiled metal wire, indicating the soldier's regiment. Inside the open loop at the top of the braid is one (1) metal button featuring an eagle behind a shield with a "C" in it. The button is attached to a peg that runs through a hole to the underside of the shoulder knot and is attached to a metal hook. The hook fastens around the metal loop on the shoulders of the coat (a) and is part of a larger fastening mechanism that includes a long hinged clip, which slides through the fabric loops on the shoulders of the coat and then secures around the outer sides of the hook portion. The reverse of the shoulder knots are faced in navy blue wool broadcloth. The yellow wool ground beneath the braided cord and the underside of the oval are covering stiff paper. The inside of the pillow is heavily stuffed with batting to maintain a raised shape.

Topic: African American; Buffalo Soldiers; Clothing and dress; Military

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Family of Frances Sampson Mask

Object number: 2012.34.1.1abc

Restrictions & Rights: Public domain

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Clothing-Historical
Exhibition: Double Victory: The African American Military Experience
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Itinerary for Col. Charles Young's trip from Wilberforce, OH to Washington, DC

Written by: Col. Young, Charles, American, 1864 - 1922
Received by: Price, Oscar W., American, born 1894

Medium: ink on paper (fiber product)
Dimensions: H x W: 5 7/8 x 6 1/2 in. (14.9 x 16.5 cm)

Type: itineraries

Place depicted: Wilberforce, Greene County, Ohio, United States, North and Central America; Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1918

Description: Black typewritten text printed on yellowed paper, at the top is [ITINERARY OF COL. CHARLES YOUNG.] At the bottom is [Total number of miles 497. / Rest one day, trip 16 days. / Walked 15 min. out of each hr. / Average 31 miles.]
Transcription Center Status: Transcribed by digital volunteers

Topic: African American; Correspondence; Local and regional; Military; Race discrimination; Resistance; World War I

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2010.39.3

Restrictions & Rights: Public domain

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Documents and Published Materials
Exhibition: Double Victory: The African American Military Experience
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Helmet worn by Peter L. Robinson, Sr. during World War I

Manufactured by: Unidentified
Worn by: Robinson, Peter L. Sr., American, 1892 - 1979
Subject of: 92d Infantry Division, American, 1917 - 1945

Medium: steel, leather, burlap, string and net
Dimensions: H x W: 5 x 11 1/2 x 12 in. (12.7 x 29.2 x 30.5 cm)

Type: helmets

Date: ca. 1917

Description: Steel helmet with leather chin strap and headband. The exterior circumference of the headband fits inside of the helmet and is made of leather. There are slits every inch, in which cylindrical beads are inserted. The top portion is lined with a white burlap material and netting. The interior is lined with a shiny black fabric.

Topic: African American; Clothing and dress; Military; World War I

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Peter L. Robinson, Jr. and Marie Robinson Johnson

Object number: 2010.18.3ab

Restrictions & Rights: Public domain

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Clothing-Historical
Exhibition: Double Victory: The African American Military Experience
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Ambrotype of a Civil War soldier

Photograph by: Unidentified
Created by: Littlefield, Parsons & Co., American, 1858 - 1866

Medium: collodion and silver on glass photographic plates
Dimensions: Closed: 3 × 2 5/8 × 7/8 in. (7.6 × 6.7 × 2.2 cm); Open: 3 × 5 1/8 × 9/16 in. (7.6 × 13 × 1.4 cm); 3 x 5 in. (7.6 x 12.7 cm)

Type: ambrotypes; portraits

Date: 1861-1865

Description: A black-and-white photograph of a man from the waist up. He wears a button-down coat and a kepi and holds a rifle against his left soldier. Image is in a full case with blue velvet.

Topic: African American; Military; Photography; Slavery; United States Colored Troops; United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2008.9.2

Restrictions & Rights: Public domain

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Slavery and Freedom Objects; Media Arts-Photography
Exhibition: Double Victory: The African American Military Experience
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Tuskegee Airmen Congressional Gold Medal

Commissioned by: United States Department of the Treasury, American, founded 1789
Subject of: Tuskegee Airmen, 1941 - 1946
Created by: United States Mint, American, founded 1792

Medium: gold
Dimensions: 2 15/16 × 2 15/16 × 3/16 in. (7.5 × 7.5 × 0.5 cm)

Type: medals

Date: 2007

Caption: The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian recognition awarded by the U.S. Congress. This medal was presented to the Tuskegee Airmen, African American pilots flying for the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. Awarded on March 29, 2007, the medal recognized their “unique military record that inspired revolutionary reform in the Armed Forces.”
Description: A gold medal featuring three men in profile in the center, with "TUSKEGEE AIRMEN" at top and an eagle with spread wings at the bottom.

Topic: African American; Civil Rights; Military; Tuskegee Airmen; World War II

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2007.8

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Awards and Medals
Exhibition: Double Victory: The African American Military Experience
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Seaman's Protection Certificate for Robert Barnaby

Created by: Barker, J. N., American
Subject of: Barnaby, Robert, American, born 1807

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W: 8 1/2 x 10 3/8 in. (21.6 x 26.4 cm)

Type: citizenship papers

Place made: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, North and Central America

Date: April 21, 1834

Description: Originally issued in 1826, this is an official copy of an early manuscript Seaman's Protection Certificate for Robert Barnaby (April 21, 1834). The certificate describes him as as "a Citizen of the United States of America," with "black complexion, black eyes, wooly hair."

Topic: African American; Free communities of color; Military; United States--History--War of 1812

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2009.14.3

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Slavery and Freedom Objects; Documents and Published Materials-Business and Legal Documents
Exhibition: Double Victory: The African American Military Experience
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Receipt for blankets given to soldiers Prince Simbo and Sampson Freeman

Created by: Unidentified
Subject of: Simbo, Prince, American, ca. 1737 - 1810; Freeman, Sampson, American

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W: 4 11/16 x 8 5/16 in. (11.9 x 21.1 cm)

Type: receipts

Place made: Hartford, Hartford County, Connecticut, United States, North and Central America

Date: April 21, 1778

Description: One page, quatro receipt, written on both sides in black ink.

Topic: African American; Military; Slavery; United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2009.14.7

Restrictions & Rights: public domain

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Slavery and Freedom Objects; Documents and Published Materials-Business and Legal Documents
Exhibition: Double Victory: The African American Military Experience
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

US Navy dress jumper worn by Lorenzo DuFau on USS Mason

Manufactured by: United States Navy, American, founded 1775
Worn by: DuFau, Lorenzo A., American, 1920 - 2015

Medium: wool, cloth tape, and plastic buttons
Dimensions: H x W x D (on form): 27 1/2 × 25 × 11 in. (69.9 × 63.5 × 27.9 cm); H x W (flat): 27 1/4 × 17 in. (69.2 × 43.2 cm)

Type: pullovers; military uniforms

Date: 1944-1945

Description: A navy blue wool US Navy dress uniform jumper worn by Lorenzo DuFau during World War II. The jumper is a pullover style sweater made from a very dark blue thick fulled wool and features a traditional sailor collar and fitted sleeves with gathered cuffs. It has a blue twill tape drawstring in the waist that protrudes from two holes at the center front of the hem. Two (2) white five-pointed stars are machine embroidered with one in each corner of the back of the collar. The edge of the collar and the fitted cuffs are trimmed with three (3) rows of white tape. The cuffs close with two (2) black plastic buttons each. An anchor is engraved into the face of the buttons. There is one (1) welted watch pocket at the proper left breast. Sewn at the proper right breast is a Ruptured Duck diamond-shaped patch of blue wool with a yellow machine-embroidered design of a spread eagle inside a circle, given for honorable discharge. A first class signalman's patch made from blue wool with machine embroidery of a white eagle over crossed signal flags above three (3) red chevrons is sewn on the upper arm of the proper right sleeve. The jumper is not lined. White stamped text that is severely deteriorated can be seen on the interior proper right back above the hem reading "DU FAU USA". A cream tag with blue printed text is hand sewn on the proper left back interior hem reading "LORENZO DUFAU".

Topic: African American; Clothing and dress; Military; Race relations; World War II

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Lorenzo A. DuFau

Object number: 2009.5.1

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Clothing-Historical
Exhibition: Double Victory: The African American Military Experience
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

American Campaign service medal awarded to Lorenzo DuFau

Manufactured by: United States Navy, American, founded 1775
Owned by: DuFau, Lorenzo A., American, 1920 - 2015

Medium: metal and ribbon
Dimensions: H x W x D: 3 × 2 3/16 × 3/16 in. (7.6 × 5.5 × 0.5 cm)

Type: medals

Date: 1985

Description: A US military American Campaign service medal awarded to Lorenzo A. DuFau, who served in the US Navy. The medal is round and depicts an airplane, large ship, and a submarine in front of a cityscape below the text "AMERICAN CAMPAIGN" on the front, with the reverse showing a standing American bald eagle with the text "UNITED / STATES OF / AMERICA / 1941 / 1945". The medal hangs on a metal loop from a ribbon of light blue, white, black, red, and navy blue stripes. A locking pin back is adhered to the back of the ribbon.

Topic: African American; Military; Race relations; World War II

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Lorenzo A. DuFau

Object number: 2009.5.2

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Awards and Medals
Exhibition: Double Victory: The African American Military Experience
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

World War II Victory service medal awarded to Lorenzo DuFau

Manufactured by: United States Navy, American, founded 1775
Owned by: DuFau, Lorenzo A., American, 1920 - 2015

Medium: metal and ribbon
Dimensions: H x W x D: 3 × 1 7/16 × 3/16 in. (7.6 × 3.7 × 0.5 cm)

Type: medals

Date: 1989

Description: A US military World War II Victory service medal awarded to Lorenzo A. DuFau, who served in the US Navy. The medal is round and depicts an allegorical figure of Liberation with the text "World War II" flanking her legs on the front and the text "FREEDOM / FROM FEAR AND WANT / FREEDOM OF SPEECH / AND RELIGION" encircled by the text "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / 1941 1945". The medal hangs on a metal loop from a ribbon of a wide center red stripe surrounded by thin rainbow stripes. A locking pin back is adhered to the back of the ribbon.

Topic: African American; Military; Race relations; World War II

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Lorenzo A. DuFau

Object number: 2009.5.3

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Awards and Medals
Exhibition: Double Victory: The African American Military Experience
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

European African Middle Eastern Campaign service medal awarded to Lorenzo DuFau

Manufactured by: United States Navy, American, founded 1775
Owned by: DuFau, Lorenzo A., American, 1920 - 2015

Medium: metal and ribbon
Dimensions: H x W x D: 3 × 1 7/16 × 1/4 in. (7.6 × 3.7 × 0.6 cm)

Type: medals

Date: 1985

Description: A US military European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign service medal awarded to Lorenzo A. DuFau, who served in the US Navy. The medal is round and depicts a group of soldiers disembarking from a large ship below the text "EUROPEAN / AFRICAN MIDDLE / EASTERN CAMPAIGN" on the front, with the reverse showing a standing American bald eagle with the text "UNITED / STATES OF / AMERICA / 1941 / 1945". The medal hangs on a metal loop from a ribbon of green, brown, white, black, red, and navy blue stripes. A locking pin back is adhered to the back of the ribbon.

Topic: African American; Military; Race relations; World War II

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Lorenzo A. DuFau

Object number: 2009.5.4

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Awards and Medals
Exhibition: Double Victory: The African American Military Experience
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Binoculars used by Peter L. Robinson, Sr. during World War I

Manufactured by: Carl Zeiss, German, founded 1846
Used by: Robinson, Peter L. Sr., American, 1892 - 1979
Subject of: 92d Infantry Division, American, 1917 - 1945

Medium: leather , glass and metal
Dimensions: without strap: 2 5/16 x 6 7/8 x 4 1/2 in. (5.9 x 17.5 x 11.4 cm); with strap: 2 5/16 x 6 7/16 x 16 1/2 in. (5.9 x 16.4 x 41.9 cm)

Type: binoculars

Date: ca. 1917

Description: A set of black Zeiss-Stereo Day Marine Glass binoculars with Bausch & Lomb lenses and a brown leather strap.

Topic: African American; Military; World War I

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Peter L. Robinson, Jr. and Marie Robinson Johnson

Object number: 2010.18.2

Restrictions & Rights: Public domain

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Tools and Equipment-Military
Exhibition: Double Victory: The African American Military Experience
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Leather leggings worn by Peter L. Robinson, Sr. during World War I

Manufactured by: Unidentified
Worn by: Robinson, Peter L. Sr., American, 1892 - 1979
Subject of: 92d Infantry Division, American, 1917 - 1945

Medium: leather
Dimensions: 2010.18.4a: 11 3/4 x 6 7/8 x 3 5/8 in. (29.8 x 17.5 x 9.2 cm); 2010.18.4b: 12 x 6 1/2 x 3 1/4 in. (30.5 x 16.5 x 8.3 cm); Displayed together: 16 x 14 x 8 in. (40.6 x 35.6 x 20.3 cm)

Type: leggings

Date: ca. 1917

Description: A pair of brown leather leggings with leather strap and two buckle fasteners.

Topic: African American; Clothing and dress; Military; World War I

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Peter L. Robinson, Jr. and Marie Robinson Johnson

Object number: 2010.18.4ab

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Clothing-Historical
Exhibition: Double Victory: The African American Military Experience
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Traveling trunk used by George Thompson Garrison in the Civil War

Manufactured by: Crouch & Fitzgerald, American, founded 1839
Owned by: Garrison, George Thompson, American, 1836 - 1904
Subject of: 55th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, American, 1863 - 1865

Medium: wood, leather, cotton, metal
Dimensions: trunk: 18 × 31 × 17 in. (45.7 × 78.7 × 43.2 cm); insert tray: 3 9/16 × 29 5/8 × 15 3/4 in. (9 × 75.3 × 40 cm); canvas bag: 12 5/8 × 30 11/16 × 16 9/16 in. (32 × 78 × 42 cm)

Type: trunks (containers)

Place made: New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
Place used: Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, United States, North and Central America; South Carolina, United States, North and Central America

Date: ca. 1860

Description: A traveling trunk owned by George Thompson Garrison while serving as an officer with the 55th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment. The wood, leather bound trunk is embossed throughout with four rows of brass rivets along the front, top and back of the base and lid. The leather is also stitched along the edges and lip of the trunk. Two metal buckles attached to leather straps are on the left and right sides of the front. A leather strap is attached to the top left of the trunk but the top right strap is removed. The removed strap is broken into nine pieces and includes a meral buckle. The leather is a different color where the original strap was located. A hinged lock plate is on the front of the base with the locking mechanism directly above it on the lid. Embossed below the lock plate on the base is “CROUCH & FITZGERALD / MAKERS / New York.” Embossed on the left and right sides of the trunk is “Geo T. Garrison.” The interior of the trunk has a removable cloth lined tray and a red leather pouch embedded into the cloth lined lid. Underneath the tray is a canvas bag with “Geo T. Garrison.” printed on each side in black paint. The canvas bag is torn in several places.

Topic: African American; Military; Slavery; United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2010.24a-d

Restrictions & Rights: No known copyright restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Slavery and Freedom Objects; Tools and Equipment-Military
Exhibition: Double Victory: The African American Military Experience
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Letter to Oscar W. Price from Colonel Charles Young

Written by: Col. Young, Charles, American, 1864 - 1922
Received by: Price, Oscar W., American, born 1894

Medium: ink on paper (fiber product)
Dimensions: H x W: 10 3/4 x 7 5/16 in. (27.3 x 18.6 cm)

Type: letters (correspondence)

Place made: Wilberforce, Greene County, Ohio, United States, North and Central America

Date: August 14, 1918

Description: A typewritten letter printed in black ink on yellowed paper. At the top is [Wilberforce, Ohio, Aug. 14, 1918]. The letter is addressed to [Sergt. Oscar W. Price] at Camp Hancock, Georgia and signed [Chas. Young]. The letter concerns Young's decision not to give Price a recommendation, writing [You have the stuff in you and don't stand in need of any recommendatory letters]. Young also notes that he has enclosed an itinerary (2010.39.3) of his trip to Washington, DC, to lobby for his reinstatement to active duty.
Transcription Center Status: Transcribed by digital volunteers

Topic: African American; Correspondence; Men; Military; Race discrimination; Resistance; World War I

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2010.39.5

Restrictions & Rights: Public domain

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Documents and Published Materials
Exhibition: Double Victory: The African American Military Experience
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

The Fifteenth Amendment. Celebrated May 19th 1870

Created by: Kelly, Thomas
Subject of: Douglass, Frederick, American, 1818 - 1895; Delany, Martin Robison, American, 1812 - 1885; Revels, Hiram Rhodes, American, 1827 - 1901; President Grant, Ulysses S., American, 1822 - 1885; Colfax, Schulyer, American, 1823 - 1885; President Lincoln, Abraham, American, 1809 - 1865
Recorded by: Brown, John, American, 1800 - 1859

Medium: lithographic ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W: 20 1/2 x 26 1/4 in. (52.1 x 66.7 cm)

Type: color lithographs

Place depicted: Baltimore, Maryland, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1870

Description: At center, a depiction of a parade in celebration of the passing of the 15th Amendment. Framing it are portraits and vignettes illustrating the rights granted by the 15th Amendment: "We till our own fields," "The Ballot Box is Open to Us," "We Unite in the Bonds of Fellowship with the Whole Human Race," etc.

Topic: African American; Art; Civil Rights; Law; Military; Politics (Practical); Reconstruction (United States History, 1865-1877)

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2010.45.11

Restrictions & Rights: Public Domain

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Visual Arts
Exhibition: Double Victory: The African American Military Experience
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Hand tinted portrait of Pauline C. Cookman in uniform

Photograph by: Unidentified
Subject of: Cookman, Pauline C., American, born 1922

Medium: silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper with pigment
Dimensions: H x W (Image and Sheet): 6 13/16 x 5 in. (17.3 x 12.7 cm)

Type: chromogenic color prints; portraits

Date: ca. 1945

Description: Hand tinted photograph of a Women's Army Corps soldier wearing a khaki uniform. It is inscribed "to mom love Polly" in the lower right corner on the front. The photograph has the name "Pauline Cookman" written on the back.

Topic: African American; Military; Photography; United States--History--1945-1953; Women; World War II

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2011.155.135

Restrictions & Rights: Unknown – Restrictions Possible

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Media Arts-Photography
Exhibition: Double Victory: The African American Military Experience
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Medal for United Spanish War Veterans

Issued by: United Spanish War Veterans, American, 1904 - 1992

Medium: bronze and ribbon
Dimensions: 2 5/8 x 7/8 x 1/4 in. (6.7 x 2.2 x 0.6 cm)

Type: medals

Date: after 1904

Description: A bronze three piece Spanish American War Veterans medal with ribbon issued to members of the United Spanish War Veterans. At the top of the medal is bronze American eagle in mid-flight within a laurel wreath in front of a shield with vertical stripes and five-pointed stars. Attached to this piece is a ribbon in the shape of an American flag hanging vertically with thirteen stripes and thirteen stars. Attached to the bottom of the ribbon is a bronze piece consisting of a cavalry saber, an infantry rifle, and a naval anchor, all crossed. Attached to this piece is the final component of the medal which is a bronze Spanish American War cross, with the four arms (clockwise from right to left), reading: "PORTO RICO/ CUBA/ PHILIPPINES/ USA". This cross also contains the dates "1898-1902" with the words "SPANISH WAR VETERANS" surround a small circular military scene. On the reverse side of the cross the four arms read (clockwise from right to left): "NORTH/ SOUTH/ EAST/ WEST." At the center circle of the cross is a field of five-pointed stars and vertical stripes with the word "UNITED" atop the field of stars and stripes.

Topic: African American; Military; Spanish-American War, 1898

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2011.155.217

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Awards and Medals
Exhibition: Double Victory: The African American Military Experience
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

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Traveling trunk used by George Thompson Garrison in the Civil War

Letter to Oscar W. Price from Colonel Charles Young

The Fifteenth Amendment. Celebrated May 19th 1870

Hand tinted portrait of Pauline C. Cookman in uniform

Medal for United Spanish War Veterans

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