Part I: Presidential Items

Part of the American Dream is having a voice in how our country, states, and cities are run.  The right to vote is one guaranteed to all Americans, regardless of race, religion, age or sex.  This was not always the case, however, as African Americans and women were two major groups excluded from this fundamental right.  Thousands of important movers and shakers in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries fought for all Americans to possess this right.

This article features items from the permanent collection, which are on display at the Massillon Museum October 4, 2014 – May 24, 2015. These political buttons, pamphlets, and posters communicate a message to the voters and shed light on particular candidates and the issues of the era in which they were created.

Be sure that your voice is heard in local, state, and national issues by exercising your right to vote on November 4, 2014!

“Happy Landin’ with Landon” Sheet Music
1936
Collection of the Massillon Museum
Gift of Karl Spuhler Estate (91.7.3634)

 

Landon/Knox Campaign Pin
1936
Collection of the Massillon Museum
Gift of Miss Edna and Bess Spuhler (59.31.3)

McKinley and Hobart, “National Wheelmen’s Club” button
Collection of the Massillon Museum (3813.2)

Herbert Hoover Presidential Campaign Poster
c. 1920
Collection of the Massillon Museum (BC723.6.4)

McKinley and Hobart Campaign Poster
c. 1896
Collection of the Massillon Museum

Handkerchief campaigning for McKinley and Hobart
c. 1896
Collection of the Massillon Museum
Gift of Albert Hise (58.9)

Invitation to the Inaugural Ceremonies of John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson
1961
Collection of the Massillon Museum
Gift of Al Brinham (69.69)

President Eisenhower
c.1960
Salt and pepper shakes
Collection of the Massillon Museum
Gift of Mrs. Rohr (90.42.489)

“No Third Term” Stamps
1940
Wendell Wilkie produced these stamps for his campaign, asking the American voting public not to re-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt to a third term as president.
Collection of the Massillon Museum
Gift of William L. Bennett (59.42)

 

 

 

The city of Massillon flooded every year, with the worst floods occurring in 1904, 1913, and 1935. The Tuscarawas River took a natural course that curved into the downtown (where McDonald’s is today), which increased the reach of the flood.

In 1936, the Massillon Chamber of Commerce formed a committee to work on flood control, officially called the Massillon Conservancy District. The project consisted of moving the Tuscarawas River, moving the railroad tracks, and creating 3 new viaduct bridges.

The project began in 1939 and was finally completed in 1951, costing more than $10 million. The Tremont viaduct opened on October 8, 1948; the Lincoln Way viaduct opened on November 11, 1949, and the Cherry Road viaduct opened on September 14, 1951.

Seen here are the Tremont, Lincoln Way, and Cherry Road viaducts being built, the river being moved, and the dedication from the Lincoln Way viaduct dedication ceremony in 1949, and parade and dedication ceremony for the Cherry Road viaduct in 1951.

Digitized from the original Independent negatives, taken by Jack Worthington.
From the collection of the Massillon Museum, gift of the Evening Independent (91.47)

Demolition of the Tremont Bridge, 1938

Lincoln Way Viaduct under construction, 1949

Lincoln Way Viaduct under construction, 1949

New waterways were built to divert the water from the river, to prevent flooding

New waterways were built to divert the water from the river, to prevent flooding

Completed Lincoln Way Viaduct

Completed Lincoln Way Viaduct

Lincoln Way Viaduct before its official opening, 1949

A large dedication ceremony took place on November 11, 1949 for the finished Lincoln Way Viaduct

A large dedication ceremony took place on November 11, 1949 for the finished Lincoln Way Viaduct

A large dedication ceremony took place on November 11, 1949 for the finished Lincoln Way Viaduct

A large dedication ceremony took place on November 11, 1949 for the finished Lincoln Way Viaduct

Christening the Lincoln Way Viaduct

A large dedication ceremony took place on November 11, 1949 for the finished Lincoln Way Viaduct

Cherry Road Viaduct under construction, 1950

Cherry Road Viaduct under construction, 1950

Celebration, parade, and dedication ceremony for the completed Flood Control Project, September 14, 1951

Celebration, parade, and dedication ceremony for the completed Flood Control Project, September 14, 1951

Celebration, parade, and dedication ceremony for the completed Flood Control Project, September 14, 1951

Celebration, parade, and dedication ceremony for the completed Flood Control Project, September 14, 1951

Mayor Robert Weirich gives a speech at the dedication ceremony for the completed Flood Control Project, September 14, 1951

 

Silent film actress Lillian Gish throws a wreath from the completed Cherry Road Viaduct as part of the dedication ceremony for the completed Flood Control Project, September 14, 1951