Grand Rapids Public Museum documents U.S. Presidential History
The inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th president of the United States of America and Kamala Harris, as the nation’s first female, woman of color vice president, is taking place today, January 20, 2021. To commemorate this important event, the GRPM is actively collecting artifacts that capture this historic transition of power and the uniqueness of an election that took place during a global pandemic. These artifacts will become a part of GRPM’s permanent Collections and will be preserved, so future generations can learn about this significant time period in U.S. history.
Did you know? The GRPM’s Collections contain artifacts related to every U.S. President! Some of these objects demonstrate the significant role of Michigan voters in U.S. elections, including campaign photos of visits to Grand Rapids by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, with First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and President Harry Truman. Explore the GRPM’s Collections to find a custom top hat that was designed by L.W. Heath, a Grand Rapids hatmaker, for President James A. Garfield in 1881.
Of course, President Gerald R. Ford, who was raised in Grand Rapids, is well represented with special artifacts like a 1976 campaign cane gifted to Henry J. Danielski by Ford himself. Danielski, a World War II veteran, experienced a leg injury during the war and when Ford noticed his limp, he generously gave him (Danielski) the cane to help him walk. In more recent years, items from presidents Barack Obama, Donald Trump and Joe Biden will include physical objects, digital images, emails and social media clippings representing the new methods presidents use to communicate and connect with the American people.
The GRPM’s Presidential Memorabilia Collection also contains many items dating back to the country’s first president, George Washington, as well as the founding fathers. This rare souvenir ring contains a lock of George Washington’s hair, symbolizing the great sense of loss and mourning following the death of a beloved president.
Other objects range from mass-produced campaign items like buttons, lawn signs and souvenir postcards to more unique pieces such as the Columbian Peace Plow. The Peace Plow is a treasured artifact and was created for the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893, by John Deere & Company, at the request of the Daughters of the American Revolution. It contains a nail taken from the room Thomas Jefferson, the third U.S. president, drafted the Declaration of Independence in along with other relics from Thomas Edison, William Penn and others.
Have a unique piece of political memorabilia you would like to donate to GRPM? Share your item by visiting grpm.org/contactcollections. Explore GRPM’s Presidential Memorabilia Collection for inspiration!
