You Say You Want A Revolution?: Politics and Protests in the 60s

Currently on view at The University of Arizona — Campus Store

The Museum of Democracy (MoD) presents the exhibit, “You Say You Want A Revolution?: Politics and Protests in the 60s” to illustrate just how painful and controversial political and cultural growth is in a civilized society. Whether it is controversy surrounding Black Lives Matter or the initial opposition to the Civil Rights movement, history repeats itself. Progress in a society is often illustrated by demonstrations and protests, which are as American as apple pie. The new exhibition is inspired by the fact that revolution is part of the human condition and that American protests are artistically rich in material culture.

In our modern history nothing compares to the Sixties. We entered the decade full of idealism and hope, with a charismatic young president inspiring the nation to look to a New Frontier. That optimism was short-lived, however, and over the course of ten years, assassinations and war devastated and divided the country, with cities on fire, it became the decade of protest. It was a time that so acutely illustrates just how painful and controversial political and cultural growth is in a civilized society. We cut our teeth during this decade of Sex, Drugs & Rock ’n’ Roll.

The political movements of the 1960s haven’t changed all that much, as we witness similar causes with different names: women’s rights (gender equality, the reversal of Roe v. Wade), civil rights (redistricting, voter suppression, Black Lives Matter), far-off wars (Ukraine, Israel/Hamas), gay rights (LGBTQ+). The controversies keep pulsing through the 21st century. Progress is not without conflict.

Progress in a society is often illustrated by extreme levels of protesting and conflict, this exhibit elucidates that struggle. Visitors can explore some fascinating artifacts including posters, paintings, flags, clothing, and photographs depicting historical and current social movements pertaining to freedom and democracy, as well as central civil rights issues, including women’s rights and social justice.

Path to the American Presidency: Road to the White House

Currently on view at Northern Arizona University — Cline Library

Explore the rich and fascinating history of American presidential campaigns through compelling artifacts left behind – from America’s earliest campaign buttons, which were made to promote George Washington’s inauguration in 1789, to buttons, banners and other paraphernalia for the 2024 presidential election.

The memorabilia of election cycles past and present demonstrates how campaigns and campaign strategy have evolved in their quest to woo potential voters, establish their brands and get their messages out.

This exhibition is supported by Arizona Board of Regents as a civic education program designed to foster knowledge of the American presidencies and presidential elections among undergraduate students, high school students, and the broader community.

We The People! Electing the American President

Currently on view at Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law — asu

We The People! Electing the American President exhibit, hosted by Arizona State University and MoD. This engaging exhibition features an array of compelling artifacts, showcasing the evolution of campaign memorabilia—from the very first campaign buttons promoting George Washington’s inauguration in 1789 to the vibrant buttons and banners of the upcoming 2024 presidential election.

Explore how the strategies and tactics of political campaigns have transformed over time as candidates seek to connect with voters and establish their brands. This exhibit, supported by the Arizona Board of Regents, serves as a civic education initiative designed to enhance understanding of American presidencies and elections among undergraduate students, high school students, and the wider community.

Join us in celebrating democracy and the art of campaigning, and gain insight into the stories behind the artifacts that have shaped our political landscape!

Hail to the Chief! Electing the American President

Currently on view at long island university — Post Campus

“Hail to the Chief! Electing the American President” highlights the democratic process, presidential elections, and the foundations of the presidency. Items from the Museum of Democracy, including memorabilia from past presidential elections, are on display in the historic Roosevelt House, located on Long Island University’s Post campus.

“Long Island University is committed to being at the forefront of civic education and serve as a leading institution for American presidential history,” said Long Island University President Kimberly R. Cline. “In partnership with the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation and the Museum of Democracy, this new exhibit will offer our students and Long Islanders a rare insight into our country’s history.”

The Museum of Democracy contains the nation’s largest and most comprehensive collections of historical and political campaign memorabilia, covering presidential campaigns from George Washington to the modern era. The collection also features material from major social causes and movements pertaining to freedom and democracy, reflecting the history of politics and political reform in America as well as central civil rights issues, including women’s rights and social justice.

American Democracy; The Great Experiment

Washington, D.C. Currently BY APPOINTMENT — Private Museum

At a time when our national politics seems more negative, more gridlocked, and more divisive than ever… when  the cost of campaigns appears to put our elected officials even more distant from the people whom they represent…

And at a time when more U.S citizens are looking to the future with doubt and despair because the present state of our democracy seems to be devoid of hope.. We must look to the past.

This exhibit demonstrates that campaign ephemera and art of electoral seasons gone by have much to teach us, offering unique insight into the attitudes and characters of past presidential candidates, their campaigns, and the times that shaped them. U.S campaign artifacts are more than electoral accouterments. These uncommon examples of American political expression, from buttons to bumper stickers to ballot-boxes, are the people’s heirlooms of American democracy.

The exhibit radiates exuberance and activism, civic duty and patriotic purpose.  The passion and persistence of great ideas and the people who dreamed them come alive – and all the skepticism and cynicism of modern day politics melts away.

 The exhibit serves to remind all Americans who we once were, who we are today, and who we can strive to be in the world tomorrow.

Boats, Barnes, and Bootlegging: Long Island's colorful prohibition legacy

BRIDGEHAMPTON MUSEUM, CORWITH HOUSE

  Boats, Barns, and Bootlegging is a must-see, dense, and deeply fascinating display that tells the story of Long Island during America’s “dry” years, when it was illegal to produce, transport, or sell alcoholic beverages in the country. But the coves and crannies of Long Island’s shores and its proximity to New York City made it a hotbed of illicit importing from Canada, the Caribbean, and Europe.

There is wonderful material here, including buttons, flags, posters, clothing, an Art Deco-era liquor cabinet, and photographs. The items are jointly from the Wright family collection and the Bridgehampton Museum’s archives.

Path to the Presidency: George Washington to Donald Trump

Bridgehampton museum, corwith house

Having witnessed the most shocking election of a lifetime, the 2016 Presidential campaign arguably proved to be most shocking and unexpected campaign, ever in America. However, mudslinging and provocative slogans were always a part of the political landscape. This exhibition examines the history and power of visual advertising in key political campaigns of American leaders from George Washington to Donald Trump.

Featuring unique campaign textiles such as, ceramics, flags, posters, parade lanterns, torches, games, stickers (to merely scratch the surface) provide tangible insight into how and why our leaders became our leaders. The exhibition underlines the historically powerful role of mass-market campaign advertising in American elections.
 

Shaking Hands and Kissing Babies: The Road to the White House

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

On display through January 9, 2017, from the Museum of Democracy, The Wright Family Collection. The exhibition examines the history and power of visual advertising in political campaigns of American leaders from George Washington to Barack Obama. Featuring more than 40 campaign items such as buttons, flags, posters, and novelty items, the exhibition underlines the powerful role of mass-market campaign advertising in American elections. This diverse collection of objects reminds us that election messaging, mudslinging, and catchy slogans are as American as apple pie.  Sponsored by Randy and Valorie Lawson/Lawco Energy Group.

Campaigning for the Presidency

New york historical society

Coinciding with the 2016 presidential election, the New-York Historical Society will explore campaign memorabilia and the ephemera of American politics through the shifting styles, rhetoric, and aesthetics of four presidential elections and other political contests in the 1960s and early 1970s. On view August 26 – November 27, 2016, Campaigning for the Presidency, 1960-1972: Selections from the Museum of Democracy will showcase more than 120 objects from the planned Museum of Democracy, considered one of the nation’s largest and most comprehensive collections of political campaign memorabilia. 

“With this year’s presidential election reaching a crescendo, we aim to remind New Yorkers what elections looked like before 24/7 news coverage and social media,” said Dr. Louise Mirrer, President and CEO of the NYHS. “As New York Mayor Ed Koch said, campaign memorabilia is ‘the sparkle and glitter of which our campaigns are made’ and that certainly comes through in this exhibit, which illustrates the integral role that ephemera had in American politics. We are pleased to share the Wright Family Collection with our visitors and give a taste of what’s to come in the planned Museum of Democracy.”

Path to the Presidency

GEORGE W. BUSH PRESIDENTIAL CENTER

Path to the Presidency, gives visitors an interactive look at the history of presidential campaigns, including key races that have defined America, the changing face of the American electorate, and a fun-glimpse at life on the campaign trail. Selected objects on loan from The Wright Family Collection of American Presidential Memorabilia are featured.

The Path to the Presidency exhibition includes artifacts and elements representing many presidential campaigns in U.S. history. Highlights include campaign medals and buttons dating back to the 1800s and a “living room” theater, airing iconic campaign advertisements and debate moments in a 1960s-style set-up. A number of important pieces of The Wright Family Collection of American political memorabilia are featured. The Wright Family Collection is the subject of the book Campaigning for President - Political Memorabilia from the Nation's Finest Private Collection by Jordan M. Wright. 

Campaigning for President: New York and the American Election

MUSEUM OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK

Throughout the history of the United States, the power brokers and voters of New York have played important roles in determining the outcome of presidential elections. As a business, media and political hub, New York City has exercised influence that far surpasses the power of its electoral votes. At the same time, the city's large population has contributed both to New York State's position as the largest electoral prize from 1812 until 1972, and to the large number of New York residents who made runs for the nation's highest office. This exhibition explored the ways in which national candidates appealed to New York voters over time, the unique role New York has played in presidential elections, and the scores of New Yorkers who have thrown their hats into the ring. The campaign memorabilia featured in the exhibit reveals the participaroty nature of American democracy, even as it amuses, scandalizes, entertains and provokes.

Exhibitions & Events