On View
Segregation Gallery
Exhibition
Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: The Era of Segregation, 1876-1968
Created by
Maddox, Lester, American, 1915 - 2003
Date
ca. 1975
Medium
wood
Dimensions
36 x 2 x 3 in. (91.4 x 5.1 x 7.6 cm)
Caption
Lester Maddox (1915-2003) was a restaurant owner in Atlanta with an interest in politics, having first run for mayor in 1957. His restaurant, the Pickrick Cafeteria, featured a dozen axe handles ("Pickrick Drumsticks," he called them) displayed by the front door. After passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlawing segregation in public accommodations, Maddox continued to refuse to serve African Americans, running an initial group of protestors off with a pistol while his son and some customers and employees brandished the axe handles. The image became a favorite of segregationists and Maddox took to selling axe handles and other "state’s rights" souvenirs, a practice he continued from 1964 to at least the late 1980s.
Maddox sold his restaurant in 1965 and entered Georgia politics full time, serving as governor (1967-1971) and then lieutenant governor (1971-75).
Description
A Pickrick Drumstick signed by Lester Maddox. The wooden axe handle has printed type in blue ink that reads: [LESTER MADDOX'S / PICKRICK DRUMSTICK]. Next to the printing is the signature [Lester Maddox] in black ink.
Lester Maddox's Pickrick Drumstick from his 1966 political campaign for Governor of Georgia. Signed "Good luck to Ray/Lester Maddox 1-25-75". Maddox would use ax handles like this one to threaten and assault Civil Rights activists attempting to integrate his restaurant.
Place used
Georgia, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Weapons and Ammunition
Type
handles
Topic
American South
Civil rights
Politics
Race discrimination
Segregation
U.S. History, 1961-1969
Violence
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Michael Donnelly
Object number
2011.123
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5a1590f88-222a-4312-baed-7540e367251b

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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