Ceremony and reception for the Resolute desk, on exhibition at the Museum of History and Technology, now known as the National Museum of American History from 1966-1977, Image # OPA-1121.

Everything I Own

With Presidents' Day coming up on February 17th, let's take a look at historical images of presidential objects and presidential visits at the Smithsonian.
February 6, 2020, by Heidi Stover

Some refer to the Smithsonian as "America's Attic." It probably earned this nickname because throughout its history, the Smithsonian has acquired artifacts, relics, paintings, personal collections, and even hair samples related to the Commander in Chief (yes, the National Museum of American History has a collection of presidential hairs!).  In another of my musically named blog posts, let's look at some of ♪"everything they owned...and wonder if they'd give everything just to have it back again."♪

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George Washington's military uniform in an exhibit case.

Uniform worn by George Washington in exhibit case in the United States National Museum, now known as the Arts and Industries Building, 1880, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Acc.11-006, Image no. MAH-4604.

Four people work on moving the Stuart portraits.

After three years at the National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian staff move the Gilbert Stuart portraits of George and Martha Washington for shipment to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 1983, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 371, Image no. 95-252.

View of a taxidermy shop. Specimens are on top of desks and hanging from the ceiling, and a man is s

Specimens from Teddy Roosevelt's African safari being worked on in the taxidermy workroom in the new United States National Museum, now the National Museum of Natural History. The specimens were placed on display in 1913, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 371, Image no. 95-253

The Eisenhowers stand in front of a gown on exhibit. Both are smiling broadly.

President and Mrs. Eisenhower at the First Ladies Gowns Exhibit, 1955, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 95, Image no. 2002-10613.

An exhibit case containing swords and canes.

Exhibit case in the United States National Museum, now known as the Arts and Industries Building, containing Ulysses S. Grant relics, including walking sticks, swords, and medals, c. 1880, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Acc. 11-006, Image no. MAH-3790.

A man stands in front of a large portrait of Abraham Lincoln.

George Peter Alexander Healy painting of President Abraham Lincoln at the grand opening of the Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture, July 1, 2006, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Acc. 11-009, Image no. 2006-19859.

A tent sits in the yard in near the Arts and Industries Building, slightly visible in the background

Tents, used by George Washington during the Revolutionary War, set up on the grounds of the United States National Museum, now known as the Arts and Industries Building, 1880, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Acc. 11-006, Image no. MAH-4608.

An exhibit space containing various random objects, including musical instruments, a portrait of Geo

Exhibit containing bust portrait of George Washington painted by Joseph Wright and numerous other Washington relics on display at the United States National Museum, now known as the Arts and Industries Building, 1880, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Acc. 11-006, Image no. MAH-4609.

George and Martha Washington impersonators stand in front of a large portrait of George Washington.

George and Martha Washington impersonators near the Landsdowne Portrait at the grand opening of The Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture, July 1, 2006, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Acc. 11-009, Image no. 2006-19860.

Various objects sit on a table. Most are boxes in a variety of shapes.

George Washington Relics on exhibit in the United States National Museum, now known as the Arts and Industries Building, 1880, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Acc. 11-006, Image no. MAH-4612.

Objects from George Washington's "camp chest" sit on a table. The objects include plates, cups, cook

George Washington's camp chest unpacked on display in the United States National Museum, now known as the Arts and Industries Building, 1880, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Acc. 11-006, Image no. MAH-4615.

A man models a military uniform and holds a sword.

United States National Museum staff member models military uniform worn by George Washington, 1880, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Acc. 11-006, Image no. MAH-4618.

Objects in a display case, including Thomas Jefferson's coffee urn, a bowl presented to George Washi

Exhibit case containing items associated with United States presidents in the United States National Museum, now known as the Arts and Industries Building, c. 1890s, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Acc. 11-006, Image no. MAH-12912.

A man stands next to a an exhibit case containing a bronze dog.

Bronze statue of Laddie Boy, President Warren Harding's Airedale. The inscription reads: "Laddie Boy, cast from the pennies of newsboys throughout the nation in memory of Warren Gamaliel Harding, their friend, 1923," Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 285, Image no. SIA2009-0445.

View of a room containing many exhibit cases. A large, marble statue of George Washington is in the

Division of Graphic Arts exhibit in Smithsonian Institution Building, or Castle. The statue of George Washington, sculpted by Horatio Greenough, is visible, c. 1921, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Acc. 11-006, Image no. MAH-34094A.

Object of a writing desk.

Writing desk with inkwell, used by Thomas Jefferson to write the Declaration of Independence, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Acc. 11-006, Image no. MAH-34691A.

Exhibit case of china and a tea set. The case has upper and lower portions.

Exhibit of china used as the State Service during the John Adams Administration, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 285, Image no. MAH-41478D.

An exhibit case containing two flags and a uniform with a label saying that the uniform belonged to

Exhibit case containing the summer service uniform worn by President Dwight D. Eisenhower during his term as Commanding General of Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), in the United States National Museum, now known as the Arts and Industries Building, 1957, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Acc. 11-006, Image no. MAH-44374A.

Mannequin that looks like Lincoln, dressed in Lincoln's sit. The mannequin is leaning on a chair and

Abraham Lincoln memorabilia, including his top hat, on display at the Hall of Historic Americans, in the Musuem of History and Technology, now known as the National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 285, Image no. SIA2010-3475.

Exhibit case containing George Washington's uniform, sword, and camp set.

Exhibit Items at the U. S. National Museum, George Washington's Uniform, Mess Chest, and Sword, c. 1969-1983, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Acc. 549, Image no. SIA2010-3150.

Three men in suits stand around a portrait of Calvin Coolidge.

Presentation of Calvin Coolidge portrait from Phi Gamma Delta fraternity to National Portrait Gallery, 1966, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Acc. 11-008, Image no. OPA-875R2-A.

Two people stand in front of a portrait of James Monroe.

Presentation of President James Monroe portrait (NPG.70.59) by painter John Vanderlyn to the National Portrait Gallery, December 2, 1970, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Acc. 11-008, Image no. OPA-1687R1-06A.

View of an exhibit about Abraham Lincoln. There are two panels. One of the panels has an image of Li

Exhibition celebrating the 150th birthday of President Abraham Lincoln at the Arts and Industries building, 1959, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 285, Image no. SIA2009-0441.

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