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.

Wall Clock
Maker William Claggett (1696–1749) Date of Creation c. 1732 Location Newport, Rhode Island Materials Pine; brass Institution Newport Historical Society Credit Line N/A Accession Number 1884.4 Photo Credit Adrian Flatgaard This clock was made for Newport’s Sabbatarian...
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Highlighting the Work of Enslaved Artisans
Silhouette of Gouverneur Morris
Philadelphia, PA
The Preservation Society of Newport County
Overshot Coverlet Fragment
Troup County, GA
The Columbus Museum
Cornice Plane
Wrentham, Massachusetts
Historic Deerfield
Walking Stick
Livingston County, MO
Speed Art Museum
Storage Jar
Edgefield district, South Carolina
National Gallery of Art
Portrait of William Duguid
Boston, Massachusetts
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Storage Vessel
Edgefield District, South Carolina
Greenville County Museum of Art
Weathervane
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
George Washington’s Mount Vernon