Open September 28, 2024- January 5, 2025
The American Political Textile Collection of Mark and Rosalind Shenkman is one of the largest and most important collections of presidential campaign flags and textiles in existence. This extraordinary collection features over 100 rare examples of flags, banners, and kerchiefs that were produced between 1840 and 1912 to promote upcoming presidential candidates.
These early American folk art textiles are revered not only for their incredible historical context, but also for their beauty as decorative textiles. Prior to 1912, the specific design of the American national flag was left up to the interpretation and imagination of the maker and it was perfectly acceptable for candidates to place their names, faces, and slogans on the symbol of our nation. Today, we examine and exhibit these historic treasures as a way to celebrate America’s past and study the evolution of American politics.
Faces of a Nation comes from the textile collection of Mark and Rosalind Shenkman.
Sponsored by: Prairie Home Alliance, Visionary Society, Friends of History
