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Object Story: Pair of Fire Buckets

These buckets were kept in the home of William Gookin, a tailor, and are decorated to show his family’s membership in the Mechanic Fire Society of Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Object Story: Oval Shaker Box

This large oval box was made at the Shaker community in New Lebanon, New York.

Object Story: Portrait of Hatter John Mays of Schaefferstown

Portrait of the hatter John Mays around 1830.

Object Story: "Lone Star" Appliqued Chintz and Pieced Quilt

Quilt made by Mary Seeds Moon around 1840 in the popular Lone Star pattern.

Understanding Context: Different Ways to Make Sense of an Object

Overview: Out of Many, One?

Americans have long created an identity based on distinct principles and values that define the country. This unit explores the tensions between being an individual and being part of a group or nation and provides insight into what it means to be an individual in America, today and centuries ago.

Overview: Prosperity for All?

America was founded on the principles of equality, freedom, liberty, and respect for individual rights. But these ideals have not always applied to everyone, and many Americans have fought since the founding of this country to broaden those values so that they apply to all Americans.

Overview: The Price of Progress

The notion that innovation and change leads to progress is at the heart of the American character, but Americans also value tradition. This unit explores a wide range of traditions and innovations in American society. When is progress worth the loss of tradition and certain ways of life?

Object Story: Painted Schrank

This wardrobe holds important clues about the identity of an early Pennsylvania family.

Everybody Collects

The kinds of objects, artifacts, and artworks that people collect communicate different ideas.  They can be a record of events that happened in society.