Musselman Library debuts political campaign exhibits
With Election Day rapidly approaching, the timing of this exhib it is appropriate. The exhibit focuses on the election of 1860 (above) and “addresses its relevance to contemporary polit ics.” Abraham Lincoln was one of the candidates in this controversial election, which took place over 150 years ago.
By Emily Francisco, Contributing Writer
Musselman Library is proud to present a number of new and fascinating exhibits this semester featuring objects such as Civil War weaponry, Lincoln bookends and prints of the Battle of Gettysburg. The most noteworthy exhibits this fall, though, are the ones that correspond with the upcoming presidential election. Displaying artifacts from the Election of 1860 (“The Race for the Presidency: Then and Now”) as well as more current political memorabilia (“Election Memorabilia”), the Library prompts students to think more about the history of campaigns in the U.S. and what this means for voters come November.
“The Race for the Presidency: Then and Now” reflects on the election of 1860 and addresses its relevance to contemporary politics. The exhibit notes that the current election cycle and the election of 1860 have several themes in common, including the engagement of young voters, key national issues like immigration and the significance of the media. Objects featured include reproductions of an 1860 political cartoon from “Vanity Fair,” a Republican campaign song and a replica of a Lincoln campaign badge. “The Race for the Presidency” was curated this past summer by exhibits intern Junior Emily Francisco.
“Election Memorabilia” is also displayed. Political science professor, Dr. Ken Mott, and Gettysburg resident, Lawrence P. Taylor, have loaned their collections of campaign buttons to create this unique display. Now retired, Taylor was a career diplomat with the U.S. Department of State and served as Director of the Foreign Service Institute and U.S. Ambassador to Estonia from 1995 to 1997. Taylor is also a founding partner of The Gettysburg Leadership Experience at the College. Dr. Mott serves as an advisor to the College Democrats and College Republicans on campus.
The buttons on display represent both positive and negative campaign tactics, printing slogans such as “First Time Voter for McGovern” (George McGovern campaign, 1972) and “They can’t lick our Dick!” (Richard Nixon campaign, election of 1960). In addition, two tickets to the June 1932 Democratic National Convention in Chicago are displayed.
Both “The Race for the Presidency: Then and Now” and “Election Memorabilia” are located on the main floor of the Library, past the Browsing Room. They will be on display for the remainder of the fall semester. During your visit, be sure to check out the adjacent exhibits, “Mort Künstler and Dale Gallon: Painting the Civil War, Civil War Sheet Music,” and the “James A. Beran Collection of Civil War Artifacts,” which will be exhibited through spring 2012. For more information, visit gettysburg.edu/library/news/exhibits.
