OCEAN TOWNSHIP — Just in time for the high-stakes months of the presidential campaign, a new exhibit will open Sept. 9, 1 to 4 p.m., in the Our Town Gallery of the Eden Woolley House at 703 Deal Road.
“Election Memorabilia: The Stuff of American Campaigning” showcases a collection of political campaign buttons, banners, signs, photos and news clippings. The artifacts, both Republican and Democratic, include material from the museum’s own collection, a gift from the Mullaney family, and loaned items from local collectors, according to a press release.
From our first president to our current, slogans, buttons, ads and bumper stickers vie to tell a candidate’s story and win votes.
Even the father of our country wore a campaign button. His was brass, sewn to his coat, and read “Long Live the President.”
William Henry Harrison was the first to run an “image” presidential campaign in 1840. He chose the log cabin as his logo and coined what may be the first presidential political slogan, the famous “Tippecanoe and Tyler, too.”
The campaign button sums up the candidate in a few words. Remember “I like Ike?” Jimmy Carter’s went one step further. It had no words at all, just a golden peanut.
From the start, American campaigning has been rough and tumble and the exhibit captures the fun and fight of the contest. It’s an overview of the election process from local contests to the selection of president.
“Election Memorabilia: The Stuff of American Campaigning” runs through the end of November. Contact the museum at 732-531-2136 or oceanmuseum.org for details.