America's Bicentennial

Bicentennial tin lunch box decorated in red, white, and blue with patriotic, cartoon images of George Washington, a British Redcoat, Betsy Ross, the Signing of the Declaration of Independence, and the ride of Paul Revere. Inside the lunch box is a thermos similarly decorated with patriotic images.

Accession Number: 1988.982.3
Dimensions: 6.75”H x 8”W x 3.75”D
Donor: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John D. Hawley
Donation Date: 1976

This white gold necklace has a detachable pendant that can also be worn as a pin.  The bicentennial logo and is made of rubies, diamonds, and sapphires. Embellishing the chain are thirteen stars and diamonds representing the original thirteen states set in platinum. In all there are 165 specially cut diamonds, 50 prime quality rare Burmese rubies and 25 Burmese blue sapphires.


Note: Pierre Touraine, a well-known jeweler at the time, made the “Bicentennial Jewel” in 1976. He and his wife, along with Congressman John Rhodes, wished to present the Bicentennial Jewel to President Gerald R. Ford in person, but were unable to do so until January 10, 1977. The jewel was displayed in the Oval Office for thirty days.  Then it was transferred to the National Archives until suitable display could be arranged in Michigan, where the Ford Museum would be established in 1981. The necklace has never been worn.
 

Accession Number: 1983.24
Dimensions: 7”H x 5”W
Donor: Gift of Pierre Touraine
Donation Date: January 18, 1977

Blue Bicentennial pillow features the Bicentennial emblem on the front.  Stitching along the side reads, "American Revolution Bicentennial 1776-1976."  There is also a zipper along the side of the pillow.  There are several Velcro strips on the back of the pillow.

Note: Aloma Strauss donated this pillow for display with other Bicentennial gifts.
 

Accession Number: 1981.43
Dimensions: 3”H x 14”Dia.
Donor: Gift of Aloma Strauss
Donation Date: December 12, 1975

This red, white, and blue cash register was originally used on the Freedom Train. The register is mostly red and blue with white stars painted on the surface. A plaque on the register above the keys reads, “This R.C. Allen Electronic Cash Register was utilized on the American Freedom Train during its epic journey throughout the United States in commemoration of our Nation’s Bicentennial / 1776-1976.”

Note: The American Freedom Train was a steam engine train designed by Ross Rowland Jr. that travelled across the United States from April 1, 1975 to December 31, 1976 to commemorate the American Bicentennial. The train functioned as a travelling museum with 12 display cars, two of which held large objects to be viewed from the ground. The artifacts on board the Freedom Train were designed to showcase American history over the past 200 years and included such items as George Washington’s copy of the Constitution, Judy Garland’s dress from The Wizard of Oz, and Martin Luther King Jr.’s pulpit and robes. The American Freedom Train was one of the only nation-wide celebrations of the Bicentennial.
 

Accession Number: 2006.41
Dimensions: 18”H x 19.25”W x 18.5”D
Donor: Unknown
Donation Date: N/A

This handmade Bicentennial wooden box is painted blue and decorated with patriotic images including the seal of the President and images of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Red suede lines the inside and the inside cover is inscribed: “Mayor and Mrs. Lawrence F. Kramer – June 6, 1976.”

Note: The mayor presented this commemorative box to President Gerald R. Ford during the president’s trip to New Jersey.
 

Accession Number: 1988.208
Dimensions: 5”H x 9”W x 5”D
Donor: Gift of Mayor and Mrs. Lawrence F. Kramer
Donation Date: June 6, 1976

Six different Bicentennial buttons designed and sent by two art teachers to President Gerald R. Ford. Each button contains an individual design in red, white, and blue featuring various patriotic images and slogans.

Accession Number: 1988.920.2
Donor: Gift of Edward L. Carr and Ruth A. Radmore
Dimensions: Holder: 8”W x 7.75”D, Buttons: 2.25”Dia
Donation Date: February 24, 1976

Pressed wooden plaque commemorating the Bicentennial decorated with decoupage facsimile of the Declaration of Independence on one side, and an “astrological chart of America” on the opposing side. Colored stickers and printed-paper decorate the plaque.

Accession Number: 1988.59
Dimensions: 10.75”H x 9.75”W x 0.75”D
Donor: Gift of Mr. Gregory Spann and Mr. Alfred Simpkins
Donation Date: January 30, 1975

Ceramic figurine of Betsy Ross sewing the American flag made to commemorate the American Bicentennial. It was poured by Ed Crowley and hand painted by his wife. The Flag is covered with strips of felt.

Accession Number: 1987.752
Dimensions: 9”H x 9.5”W x 8”D
Donor: Gift of Mr. & Mrs. Ed Crowley
Donation Date: June 30, 1976

This green glass 7 Up Bottle commemorates the American Bicentennial. The red, white, and blue label reads, “7up / Salutes / The United States / 1776 / 1976 / Bicentennial.” The reverse label features a blue image of the Liberty Bell and has the words “Liberty Bell First Rung July 8, 1776” printed in red ink.

Accession Number: 1988.982.5
Dimensions: 10.75”H x 2.5”Dia
Donor: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John D. Hawley
Donation Date: 1976

Black leather belt with a brass, commemorative Bicentennial belt buckle with “USA / 200” printed in script along with images of the Liberty Bell and the Spirit of ’76.

Accession Number: 1988.916.2
Dimensions: 3”H x 40.5”W
Donor: Unknown
Donation Date: 1976

Commemorative foot stool shaped like a turtle with wooden head, legs, and tail. The eyes are silver-colored metal discs engraved with the number “76.” The top of the foot stool, or the turtle’s shell is upholstered with red, white, and blue fabric that has stars and stripes as well as “USA” as a part of the design.

Accession Number: 1989.954.1
Dimensions: 8.5”H x 18.75”W x 22”D
Donor: Gift of Mr. Phillip H. Brooks
Donation Date: Unknown

Description: Commemorative silver ring displays a relief figure of an eagle in flight. The sides of the ring read “1776-1976,” and the name “Ardavast” is engraved on the inside of the ring.

Accession Number: 1988.1173
Dimensions: 1”W x 1”Dia
Donor: Gift of Mr. Ardavast Dabbaghian
Donation Date: April 1976

Commemorative pin from the representatives of the state bicentennial of Michigan. The pin features a blue stylized “76” with an image of the state of Michigan depicted in silver on a red circular background on top. The pin is mounted in a green felt box with a white silk-lined lid.

Accession Number: 2004.563.1 a-b
Dimensions: 0.625”H x 0.5”W x 0.625”D
Donor: Gift of Representatives of State Bicentennial
Donation Date: February 24, 1975

The 30-30 Cal. Marlin rifle is engraved with scenes from American history commemorating America’s Bicentennial.  The engravings include scrollwork and dogwood blossoms over most of the steel components. 

Adorning the wooden stock are images of the liberty bell, a “Moving West” covered wagon, the Spirit of St. Louis, and the lunar landing.  The sights, trigger, butt-cap, banding, an engraved portrait of Abraham Lincoln, and an engraving of raising the flag at Iwo Jima are all gold plated. 

The butt of the gun is engraved with “Gerald / Ford / The 38th / United / States / President." The rifle is housed in a wooden case also engraved by Mr. Henderson.  It features engraved scrollwork on the front and scrollwork and dogwood blossoms on the top and sides.  Brass tips cover the corners and it closes with a brass clasp. 

“The Bicentennial Rifle” is inscribed on a plaque on top.  The interior is cushioned and lined with red velvet.  A small, plastic plaque on the interior reads “United States of America / 1776-1976.”

Accession Number: 1981.61
Dimensions: 37.25”H x 2.5”W x 1.75”D
Donor: Gift of Mr. Fred D. Henderson
Donation Date: January 23, 1976

Commemorative hand crafted depiction of a Union Eagle mounted on a wooden frame. The eagle is made from wild bird seed and rice. The piece is signed by the artist, Ramona Winchell and dated 1976.

Accession Number: 1990.147
Dimensions: N/A
Donor: Gift of Ramona Winchell
Donation Date: 1976

Commemorative pewter Bicentennial thermometer depicts a hand-engraved eagle above a laurel wreath with the dates “1776” and “1976” written inside. Below are embossed metric and Fahrenheit scales. Included with the thermometer is a copper colored box with silver colored writing that originally came with the thermometer.

Commemorative Bicentennial Necklace in Black Case. Wooden Beads and sharks teeth decorate the rawhide necklace and the pendent is a decorative arrowhead with a carved American eagle, it reads, “200 / 1776-1976.”

Accession Number: 1988.16.2
Dimensions: 8.5”W x 14.5”D x 1.75”Dia.
Donor: Gift of Erling A. Jensen, President of Universal Galleries in 1975
Donation Date: June 17, 1975

This Bicentennial commemorative edition of the Holy Bible titled the “Freedom Edition” consists of the King James Version of the bible with blue leather binding. The cover is embossed with an antiquated gold-tone Liberty Bell in an oval seal. It was published by the Regency Publishing house in Nashville, Tennessee.

Accession Number: 1989.432.1
Dimensions: 2.5”H x 9”W x 11.5”D
Donor: Gift of Dr. Wendell Evans
Donation Date: December 28, 1975

Duncan Miller originally manufactured the parking meter, but the Koontz Equipment Corp remanufactured the meter and turned it into a lamp. The lamp is painted red, white, and blue with flags printed with the dates 1776-1976.

Accession Number: 1988.63
Dimensions: 20”H x 8”W x 6”D
Donor: Gift of Mr. A. F. Roach, Jr.
Donation Date: February 25, 1975

Wood bicentennial purse coated with several coats of lacquer. The outside of the purse has images that portray Revolutionary War scenes. The inside of the purse is lined with blue velvet.

Accession Number: 1983.96
Dimensions: 7.25”H x 9.25”W x 4”D
Donor: Gift of Marg Zimmerman
Donation Date: March 10, 1976

A box of 15 billiard balls specifically designed to commemorate the Bicentennial. This set is series #0001 of a limited edition. The Q ball has the dates “1776 / 1976” printed on its surface; the other balls are numbered one through 14.

Accession Number: 1989.636.1
Dimensions: 3.25”H x 12”W x 6”D
Donor: Gift of Mr. Clinton B. Flemming
Donation Date: December 8, 1975

Silver pocket watch has the Seal of the President depicted on the front set with colored stones. The watch face features a silver background with gold details. The pocket watch sits inside a silver box lined with blue velvet.

Accession Number: 2007.179.3
Donor: Gift of Betty Ford
Donation Date: July 10, 2007

Handcrafted miniature cannon made out of brass with a wooden frame, ornamented with brass studs. Engraved plaques on either side of the frame are translated to, “To Mr. President, Gerald R. Ford. A souvenir on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the American Revolution / Poland / J. Radwanski / 1976.”

Accession Number: 2004.570
Dimensions: 5”H x 11”W x 4.75”D
Donor: Gift of Mr. Jan Radwanski
Donation Date: September 2, 1976

Commemorative bowl made of over 150 ounces of sterling silver, lined with 24-karat gold. The bowl features a frieze of our nation’s 200-year history, from the signing of the Declaration of Independence to the Bicentennial celebration. The bowl is a limited edition and is numbered 1 of 750 made.

Accession Number: 1982.88
Dimensions: 7”H x 14”Dia.
Donor: Gift of Frank L. Rizzo, Mayor of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Donation Date: July 4, 1976