Why do we need a national
nonprofit membership society for American history?
“Save America’s Treasures” has been totally eliminated—the largest Federal program supporting preservation of such treasures as the original Star Spangled Banner and George Washington’s tent.
65% of Americans don’t know what happened at the Constitutional Convention, according to a recent survey by Newsweek.
The “Teaching American History” grants—the largest Federal program supporting history education—have been completely eliminated.
Visits to the Top 20 Civil War battlefields have dropped in half from 1970 to 2009 according to official National Park Service statistics.
40% of Americans can’t identify whom we fought in World War II, according to a recent survey by Newsweek.
A quarter of Americans believe Congress shares power over U.S. foreign policy with the United Nations, according to a recent Annenberg survey.
“There is little that is more important for an American citizen to know than the history and traditions of his country,” John F. Kennedy wrote in American Heritage.
The “We the People Program,” which touched some 30 million students and 90,000 teachers over 25 years, has been completely eliminated.
Two-thirds of Americans could not correctly name Yorktown as the last major military action of the American Revolution, according to a recent national Gallup survey.
The National Heritage Areas and Scenic Byways program, the only major Federal program encouraging visits to historic places, has been completely eliminated in Congressional committee.
Most of Mary Lincoln’s clothes have not survived to present day. This pin was originally a button on one of her dresses that she gave to one of her nieces. Her niece saved one button, which she had made into this brooch.
Mary used this plain cotton cap that she made herself, and later gave to the hired girl. Ladies wore nightcaps to bed to protect against drafts and keep long hair in place.
The Lincolns bought this stove in June 1860 from Eli Kreigh’s store in Springfield. It is said that Mrs. Lincoln was so happy with the way the stove worked she wanted to take it to Washington with her. Mr. Lincoln convinced her to leave it behind.
Description (physical):
Cast iron. H 68 cm, W 82 cm, D 113 cm (minus stove pipe)
This pressed glass dish may have been used by Mary Lincoln to serve small items such as nuts or pickles. The pattern on this dish is called “Hobnail” for it’s resemblance to medieval hobnail patterning used on wood furniture.
This simply decorated plate may have been used by the Lincolns. Similarly patterned items were found in the archeological artifacts that were unearthed in the Lincolns' backyard.
Mary Lincoln’s brother-in-law, Ninian Wirt Edwards, gave this to Abraham Lincoln. It is mentioned in newspaper accounts and appears in photographs and drawings of the rooms. It held a wide variety of books since Lincoln often met with law clients in the Back Parlor where this secretary stands. Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln also retired to this room to read Shakespeare, Dickens and the poetry of Robert Burns.
Description (physical):
Walnut, wood, glass, felt. H 210 cm, W 133 cm, D 57.5 cm