. . . in the 1844 presidential campaign with the lithographic printing process.
Sign of the Times: The Great American Political Poster 1844-2012*
On a cloudy, cold Saturday at the end of March, snow flurries and gray skies dampening one’s spirit, I opted to head over to a small but significant history museum hidden in plain sight. I checked with the Antler Man to see if he wanted to meet me there. He did.
The Elmhurst History Museum sits in the historic Glos Mansion, just steps from the train station and the downtown business district of Elmhurst.
We parked and walked through the portico, climbed the steep steps to heavy, wooden doors and were greeted by a museum volunteer who welcomed us, handed us a brochure, and told us to enjoy the exhibit and museum, which we promptly and enthusiastically did.
This is an extraordinary exhibit with 50 outstanding reproductions of presidential campaign posters spanning two centuries, and reflecting the politics, printing and artistic techniques of their times. There is also a large collection of campaign buttons on display – and a voting booth in which to vote for certain posters with plastic chips.
I was especially excited as I finally got into the Oval Office.
These campaign posters reflected the decades they represented, as well as the candidates and campaigns, from all political parties, as well as artists and techniques of their eras. Jamie Wyeth to Alexander Calder and Ron English are among famous artists represented, but, there are “insiders and outsiders” represented as well.
If you live in the Chicago area, or are visiting, I highly recommend this exhibit. If not, this is a traveling exhibit which might be coming to a museum near you, which brings me to your own hometown or area. There are so many small museums, often in historical homes or buildings, established by local citizens and societies who have endeavored to save their town’s history, stopped bulldozers, steadfastly raised funds and lobbied locally elected officials. Whether a one room schoolhouse, a gristmill, a windmill, a factory or a farmhouse, these museums are treasure troves of local history and reflections of who we were and are.
Do you have a small but significant exhibit near you?
* title of exhibit at the Elmhurst History Museum, March 29 to April 28, 2019
http://www.elmhursthistory.org/315/Exhibits
Lifeonthecutoff's Blog 
Thank you for sharing a peek into this interesting exhibit, Penny! I would really enjoy seeing the artistic changes throughout the past two centuries. I hope I can visit for an “Artist Date” one day. So great to see you in the Oval Office, my friend! Sending warm hugs! ♡
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You are most welcome, Dawn. This is a great exhibit and I hope you get that “Artist Date” one day soon. Both Tom and I enjoyed it and actually spent more time than I thought we would. I see you recently posted. I’ll stop by soon, my friend.
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That little museum looks awesome. What a fun display. I love to wander in places like that.
The artwork is so fun.
You asked if we had anything like it close. There is a little storefront on the square in Virginia called the Cass County Historical Society. I had never found it open and always thought it was a small space that was mostly record keeping. It was open during our Christmas on the Square celebration. It was lovely. They had period clothes, photos, yearbooks, some people in there telling stories. It was much bigger on the inside than it looked on the outside. I’m so glad I finally got to see it.
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It is, Janet. They’ve had some great exhibits there and it’s fun to wander around such a beautiful, old house, too.
We were both in awe of the artwork. I knew Tom would appreciate it as much as me, and he did! 🙂
I would love your Cass County Historical Society and glad you finally were able to get inside. Bless all those dedicated people who find and who give these historical items and who store them and care for them. I hope you are able to visit it again soon.
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Wow! I’ve never been there. Great photos, Penny! Thanks for the reminder to visit.
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It is a delightful, small museum, L. Marie, and worth the visit, especially with this exhibit. The posters are of so many campaigns and are fascinating.
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That sounds like a great museum to visit. I would probably enjoy looking at the mansion as much as the exhibits. I won a City Pass to Chicago (through the Summer Read program at our local library.) So hubby bought a City Pass too, and we went into Chicago several days last week. We went to the big museums like the Field Museum, Museum of Science & Industry, and the Art Institute. But we also went to smaller museums (not part of the City Pass.) The National Hellenic Museum was in Greek Town, and the Oriental Institute was at the University of Chicago. An interesting and enriching week. Smaller museums can be worth a visit.
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The mansion is beautiful, Sue, and you would love it, I am sure. You enter with a little ante-room that is now a gift shop on one side. I’ve wondered if it was a “mourning room”. There is a fireplace in the entryway and, well . . . the mansion is wonderful. The big museums we have all around us are fabulous, and you name some of my favorites, but, the smaller ones are as well. My daughter, Jennifer, and I keep trying for a day at the National Hellenic Museum, and my son-in-law, Tom, made a point of visiting the Polish Museum when they were here a few weeks ago. He went alone and came back so excited about it that I want to go there soon. I had the privilege of going to the Oriental Institute on a field trip when I was in 5th or 6th grade. At that age, we had no idea what we were really seeing. 🙂 I have been back, however. 🙂
Have you ever been to the Wade Center on the campus of Wheaton College? It holds most of the papers of the “Inklings”, C.S. Lewis and friends, and includes the actual wardrobe that inspired The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
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Ahh, the mansion sounds wonderful. Yes, I’ve been to the Wade Center (although I had forgotten the name.) Didn’t even know about that museum until a few years ago–and I’ve lived in the Chicago suburbs all my life. I’ll have to check out that Polish Museum, too. Thanks.
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I didn’t know of it, either, Susan. I read about in the paper at least 15 years ago. The Chicago Tribune. They used to have a wonderfully expansive book section in the Sunday paper that fed my bookish appetite. I have been back several times – and think I need a visit there soon. 🙂 I hope you are able to visit the Wade – and the Polish Museum, too.
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I think you look quite nice in the Oval Office, Penny! 🙂 What a fabulous exhibit! I have a nice little collection of political pins that I began saving in the 1960’s. I don’t think I could put my hand on them right now, but they’re around here somewhere. LOL! I added a Roosevelt and maybe even one or two before his election, but most were Nixon onward when I was of voting age. I really do enjoy political campaign materials and I am so glad you were able to enjoy such a wonderful walk through history!
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Thank you, kindly, my friend. 🙂 Hang onto the buttons (when you find them tee hee). You would enjoy this exhibit, I am sure. The artwork and implications of these posters was amazing, as was the history of printmaking, lithography, etc. I knew Tom would love it from his artistic perspective – and he did. Sometimes spontaneous works. 🙂 The is a traveling exhibit, Debra, so, who knows? it might make it’s way to you. Thanks, Debra.
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This sounds like such a good exhibit! I only wish our elections could revert back to posters and stump speeches! I have quite a few campaign buttons but unfortunately, not one for the first presidential election I voted in when I voted for Jimmy Carter!
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It really is quite well done, Janet, and one you would appreciate. The artwork and the history of campaign posters is quite interesting, and the placement of the posters was excellent as well. They also sponsored a Lincoln/Douglas debate, in period costume, that I wish I could have attended. Another sold out event.
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