- On View
- 1968 & Beyond Gallery
- Museum Maps
- Objects in this Location
- Exhibition
- A Changing America: 1968 and Beyond
- Created by
- Unidentified
- Used by
- Muse, Isaiah, American, 1919 - 2012
- Date
- 1970s
- Medium
- wood, vinyl, padding, metal and tape
- Dimensions
- H x W x D: 43 × 105 × 25 in., 221 lb. (109.2 × 266.7 × 63.5 cm, 100.2 kg)
- Description
- A bar counter faced with padded red vinyl. On the front red vinyl surface, "MR. MUSE" is written in large capital letters via metal rivets secured through the vinyl and padding to the wood below, creating a slightly quilted look. The bar frame is constructed of wood plywood sheeting and 2 x 4 boards. The top of the bar counter, and the footrest across the entire front of the bar, is covered with a thick black and gold patterned vinyl sheeting. The vinyl sheeting is nailed to the underlying wood, and is secured on the footrest with metal trim molding, and along the counter edge with red plastic tape that is no longer adhered. The counter edge is scalloped. The entire scalloped edge is finished with a rolled padded trim edge, approximately 3" diameter, covered with the same red vinyl as the front, and tacked down with metal rivets. The rolled edge is stapled on the underside to the bar itself, and the stapled edge is trimmed with fabric tape. The interior of the bar has one (1) shelf approximately 15" below the counter. The shelf is covered in a green and white tile patterned vinyl. The rest of the interior of the bar is unfinished.
- Place used
- South Shore, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, United States, North and Central America
- Classification
- Furnishings, Housewares, and Décor
- Type
- cocktail lounges
- counters
- Topic
- Black interiors
- Domestic life
- Nightlife
- Segregation
- Social life and customs
- Urban life
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Cassandra Fay Smith
- Object number
- 2011.101.9
- Restrictions & Rights
- No Known Copyright Restrictions
- Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.




