On View
Making a Way Gallery
Exhibition
Making a Way Out of No Way
Manufactured by
Unidentified
Subject of
New Bethany Baptist Church, American, founded 1935
Used by
Penn, Ruby, American
Date
mid-20th century
Medium
metal, aluminium, plastic
Dimensions
H x W x D: 3 5/8 × 2 5/16 × 5/16 in. (9.2 × 5.9 × 0.8 cm)
Description
This is a faux gold usher badge was worn by Ruby Penn, a onetime member on the usher board at New Bethany Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. The badge is comprised of two major sections - a horizontal bar from which a round pendant hangs suspended from two chains. The top section has a pin back on its reverse; the obverse is a white rectangle of plastic framed by an ornate faux gold foliage pattern of gold tinted metal. The white rectangle contains a line of capitalized black text which reads: [MEMBER]. This top section is then attached to the circular pendant by two chains hanging from either end of the horizontal bar. The pendant is also white plastic with lines of capitalized black text which read: [SR. USHER BOARD / NEW BETHANY / BAPTIST CHURCH / WASH. D. C.]. The pendant is also bordered by the faux gold foliage border. On the reverse, there is aluminum backing visible, indicating that the white plastic element is actually separate and being held in place by the adorned border.
Place used
Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Memorabilia and Ephemera - Other
Type
badges
Topic
Baptist
Communities
Local and regional
Religion
The Black Church
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of New Bethany Baptist Church
Object number
2015.146
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5906fb5dd-ca03-4fe6-8d88-15f1b6dc7e75

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

Share this page