Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 70,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World to soldiers’ letters from World War II and Vietnam. Explore primary sources, visit exhibitions in person or online, or bring your class on a field trip.

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Showing results 1 - 25

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1803/06/06

Patterson, Daniel

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Walter Patterson re: naval assignments

Daniel describes his recent naval assignments. Docket on address leaf on p.4.

GLC03107.04498

31 May 1858

Wright, Augustus R.

Printed document

Title: "Arrest of Walker-Central America"

Speech given by Rep. Augustus Wright in the House of Representatives on the arrest of William Walker in Central America. Walker was an American Citizen who expatriated himself to Nicaragua. He was later captured by the navy without legal authorization. Wright firmly opposed such action.

GLC02691.11.003

1861-1877

Bureau Engraving & Printing

Engraving

Title: Com. S. Decatur

One engraving entitled "Com. S. Decatur" circa 1861-1877. Portrait of Commander Stephen Decatur. Engraver unknown.

GLC08878.0256

circa 1862

Brady, Mathew B. (ca. 1823-1896)

Photograph

Title: [Oval portrait of Admiral Andrew Hull Foote in dress uniform]

One undated photograph of Admiral Andrew Hull Foote. Foote is wearing a dress uniform including epaulettes and sword.

GLC05111.01.0050

1862

Brady & Co.

Photograph

Title: Naval Heroes

Maquette comprised of 7 cartes de visite of naval admirals who served in the Union Forces during the American Civil War and 2 separate oval pieces of scalloped paper inscribed with the words "Naval" and "Heroes." Each carte de visite is pasted on scalloped paper. Produced by Mathew Brady's studio to be photographed and published in a reduced size as its own carte de visite. 6 of the admirals are identified by surname, including Stephen Clegg Rowan, David Dixon Porter, John Rodgers, Samuel Francis Dupont, David Farragut, and John A. Dahlgren.

GLC05111.01.0467

23 March 1863

Wright, Sereno A. (fl. 1860-)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother and Sister Elmira

Several gunboats managed to pass up by the rebel batteries and will eventually cut off their supplies. They haven't been paid yet but he keeps hoping they will soon. Watrons has been promoted to 2nd Lt.

GLC02751.28

1865

Bachrach & Chase

Photograph

Title: Practice Ship Constellation

One undated photograph entitled, "Practice Ship Constellation," printed by Bachrach & Chase. Image is of the U.S.S. Constellation which was the last Civil War vessel afloat, that launched August 26, 1854 and was the last all-sail warship built by the U.S. Navy.

GLC05111.01.0028

circa 1865

Bachrach & Chase

Photograph

Title: Gun Deck of "Santee"

One undated photograph entitled, "Gun Deck of 'Santee'" printed by Bachrach & Chase. Image is of a sailor working on his knees on the gun deck of the USS Santee.

GLC05111.01.0029

circa 1865

Bachrach & Chase

Photograph

Title: [Spar deck of the U.S.S. Santee]

One undated photograph entitled, "Spardeck 'Santee,'" printed by Bachrach & Chase. Photograph was taken on upper deck and includes canons and the ship's wheel. Three sailors visible in the middle of the deck.

GLC05111.01.0030

13 July 1898

McKinley, William (1843-1901)

Document signed

Title: [Commission of William Sampson as commodore in Navy]

Commission of William Sampson as commodore in Navy. Signed by John D. Long as Secretary of the Navy and William McKinley as President of the United States. Docket on lower lefthand side. Blue seal intact. Printed at the Bureau, Engraving, and Printing.

GLC04002.01

12 April 1899

McKinley, William (1843-1901)

Document signed

Title: [Commission of William Sampson as rear admiral in Navy]

Commission of William Sampson as rear admiral in Navy. Signed by William McKinley as President of the United States and John D. Long as Secretary of the Navy. Docket on lower lefthand side. Blue seal intact. Printed at the "Bureau, Engraving & Printing."

GLC04002.03

3 October 1899

Prince, George (fl. 1899)

Photograph

Title: [Photograph of McKinley and Admiral George Dewey in a parade]

Image of a parade thrown in honor of Admiral George Dewey. Dewey stands up in the carriage, facing the crowds. President William McKinley sits beside him. A mass of people has gathered on the streets to welcome the admiral, and some lean out of windows waving handkerchiefs. Later the same day, McKinley presented Dewey with a ceremonial sword in recognition of his accomplishments. This parade in Washington, D.C. was preceded by a much larger two day celebration in New York City at the end of September. The mount bears some large water stains.

GLC07416

1914-1918

Wright, George Hand (1872-1951)

Poster

Title: "follow the Boys in Blue for Home and Country"

One recruitment poster entitled, "follow the Boys in Blue for Home and Country," signed by the artist. Depicts civilian men lining up behind sailors boarding a battleship.

GLC09809.01

1917-1918

Keystone View Company

Stereocard

Title: Thousands of Uncle Sam's Sailors, Training Station, Great Lakes, Ill.

U.S. Navy Sailors line up in uniform, outside the Great Lakes Training Station.

GLC09584.198

1917-1918

Keystone View Company

Stereocard

Title: "Parade Rest"--Naval Training Station

U.S. Navy trainees line up holding rifles during a gun dril at a Naval Training Station.

GLC09584.199

circa 1918

unknown, fl. 1918;

Photograph signed

Title: [Photograph of U.S.S. George Washington]

One sepia-tone silver gelatin print of the ship that transported President Woodrow Wilson to Europe to sign the Treaty of Versailles at the end of World War I. Co-signed by President Wilson, Secretary of Navy Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Captain Edward McCauley. Two other signatures are present and appear to read as "F.M. Perkins," a commander in the U.S. Navy, and "J.K. Peters," a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Naval Reserve Forces. A finely penned ink signature of "Thomas A. White" is on verso.

GLC04993

1937-1963

Various

Header Record

Title: [World War II letters of Leonard Eugene Graeff of Harrisburg Pennsylvania] [Decimalized .001-.601]

672 items, primarily letters from and to Leonard Eugene Graeff. Many of the letters are between him and his parents Raymond James Graeff and Susan Prowell Graeff. The items date from 1937 to 1963 with the bulk of the material from 1942-1945. The letters contain day to day details of Leonards life and time in the service and traning. He attended Great Lakes Training Center in Illinois and was stationed in Hawaii after training. Most of the letters disscuss news from home.

GLC09611

11 March 1938 to 18 December 1958

Department of the Navy Bureau of Navigation

Document

Title: Department of the Navy Bureau of Navigation: Continuous Service Certificate

The typewritten service record of Thomas Barwiss Hagstoz Askin, Jr., bound in a green case and containing some signatures. Askin's service record includes awards, recognitions, the passage of his GED, promotions, and the names of ships he served on.

GLC09555.02

1939-1945

Gilbt Whitehead & Co. Ltd.

Poster

Title: Ports Are Often Bombed When Convoys Are In Because Somebody Talked

One poster entitled, "Ports Are Often Bombed When Convoys Are In Because Somebody Talked," printed by Her Majesty Stationery Office by Gilbt Whitehead &Co., LTD. dated 1939-1945. Poster features a port bombed by airplanes. There are soldiers using hoses to spray water on ships as smoke rises up. The poster reads, "Ports Are Often Bombed When Convoys Are In Because Somebody Talked Never mention arrivals, sailings, cargoes or destinations to anybody." There is an identifying number at the bottom of the poster, 51-2024.

GLC09654.27

1940-1949

Various

Header Record

Title: [Group of fifty-nine posters, circa 1940s] [Decimalized .01-.59]

Collection of fifty-nine posters, dated circa 1940s concerning World War II. Posters were printed in the United States, England and Canada. The subjects are related to buying war bonds, war stamps, rationing, salvage, recycling and possible espionage. Ten of the posters were printed by Autocar, advertising their trucks, and their part in the war effort.

GLC09654

1942-1945

Various

Header Record

Title: [Collection of letters belonging to military servicemen, 1942-1945] [Decimalized .01-.50]

Collection of letters belonging to military servicemen dated 1942 to 1945. Consists of 50 items primarily sent between the servicemen and their family.

GLC09903

6 August 1943

unknown (fl. 1943)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jimmie

One letter addressed to Jimmie dated August 6, 1943. Describes military training and organizing his unit, the general vibe of the naval base, preparing guns and knives for battle. Encloses an article by Roga Conant.

GLC09903.04

8 August 1943

E.C., Ruth (fl. 1943)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Chuckie

Two letters addressed to Charles M. Allaben from Charles and Ruth E.C., dated August 7 and August 8, 1943. The first letter from Charles describes training in the military and welcomes him to the navy. The second letter is from Ruth E.C. who describes Miami, includes a navy song entitled, "The Sand Crab's Bleat," and an Ancient Ode to the U.S. Navy.

GLC09903.05

15 September 1943

Navy Department

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Susan Prowell Graeff

One letter from R.R.M. Emmet to Susan Prowell Graeff dated September 15, 1943. The letter is a form letter that informs mothers that her son arrived at the Naval training station and that the navy "gladly accepts the responsibility for his welfare and security" and that he will be completing his recruit training for future duties.

GLC09611.078.01

15 September 1943

Navy Department

Document

Title: to Susan Prowell Graeff

One note and postcard form dated September 15, 1943. The item is a note with instructions on when to expect communication with a recent enlisted recruit and how to receive a Visitors Pass. Attached is a postcard form that can be filled out to receive a Visitors Pass.

GLC09611.078.02

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