The Decorative Arts Trust commemorates the United States Semiquincentennial with a celebration of 250 historic objects from across the country.
We invite you to explore this online collection of meaningful and impactful objects that represent independence, identity, and community. Although this resource is by no means comprehensive, we hope you enjoy exploring how objects can tell the story of America and encourage you to explore material culture collections online and in person at the wealth of institutions located throughout our nation.
Frame
Maker René Stone Date of Creation c. 1760 Location London, England; Used in New Jersey Materials Gilded sugar pine Institution Princeton University Credit Line N/A Accession Number PP222 Photo Credit Bruce M. White The ornate frame surrounding Charles Willson Peale’s...
Frame
London, England; Used in NJ
Princeton University
Explore by Category
Highlighting Indigenous Artisans
Ah-Day: The Favorite One’s Chair
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
B&M Baked Bean Jar Basket
Northeastern United States
Portland Museum of Art
Cape (‘ahu ‘ula)
Hawai’i
Yale University Art Gallery
Gift Basket
Somes Bar, California
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
Gorget/Trade Brooch
Made in Montreal, Canada; Used in Old Town, Maine
Maine Historical Society
Great Horse Effigy
South Dakota
South Dakota Historical Society
Pocket Flask
New Mexico
New Mexico History Museum
Powder Horn
Northeastern Woodlands Region
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Red Flower
Michigan
Dennos Museum Center
Seminole Rag Doll
South Florida
History Miami Museum
