Personal Symbols in the Science & Technology Collection

The museum’s collection of personal symbols includes items used to represent beliefs, preferences, achievements, or status. These are items commonly referred to as mementos, ephemera, or souvenirs. The collection includes political buttons, awards, medals, and pins representing organizations of many types from political associations to military regiments. These include military medals from all major wars in which Louisiana military personnel participated. Political campaigns represented include those of Huey P. Long, Earl K. Long, and many other local, state, and federal elections.

Political Button
c. 1934
Louisiana State Museum 2007.140

Political button promoting Louisiana Governor Huey P. Long’s “Share Our Wealth” movement. Long’s “Share Our Wealth” movement proposed wealth redistribution and new taxes on corporations and wealthy individuals in order to reduce poverty brought on by the Great Depression. For more on Governor Huey P. Long, visit the Capitol Park Museum in Baton Rouge.

Battle of New Orleans Medal.
Gift of D. Thomas Rees.
Louisiana State Museum 08717.

Issued by Congress on February 27, 1815, to Major General Andrew Jackson for his victory over Sir Edward Pakenham at the Battle of New Orleans on January 8, 1815.

Louisiana Naval Militia Medal
c. 1898
Gift of Mrs. Lucille Caroll Jay
Louisiana State Museum 10347.078

Issued to Louisiana Naval Militia members for service during the Spanish-American War.

Member Pin
c. 1921
Louisiana State Museum 2002.083.012

Member pin of The Ladies One Hundred Aid & Social Club in New Orleans.

Campaign Button
c. 1960
Louisiana State Museum 2007.180

Button from the campaign of Louisiana Governor Jimmie Davis. In addition to his political career, Jimmie Davis was also a commercially successful country musician and often performed “You Are My Sunshine,” which later became the state song of Louisiana. Davis served two nonconsecutive terms as governor of Louisiana, from 1944–1948 and from 1960–1964. He is an inductee of the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame and the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Commemorative Medal
Gift of the Louisiana Medallion Society
Louisiana State Museum 1971.021

Medal commemorating Louisiana Governor Huey P. Long, featuring “Every Man a King,” the slogan of Long’s “Share Our Wealth” movement.

Science & Technology Collection