If Elected… (NYHS exhibit)
On Friday night, I finally enjoyed the two free hours offered weekly by the New York Historical Society. I could do that because Sarah Durning was not following me around, saying vulgar things and telling me how hungry she feels. (Several members of my Time Traveling Improv Class met at the uptown museum. More on that in a later entry.)
In those two hours, we visited three exhibits. Here’s the first.
If Elected: The Game of American Politics
July 4, 2008-January 11, 2009
Oh man. I love elections. Following elections is like following sports for people who get nervous about running, falling, jumping, tackling, throwing, diving or balls. It also comes with the added component of having an outcome which is, you know, important. Unlike sports. Zing.
That’s me, speaking truth to athletes.
The exhibit is located on the fourth floor. This is also where NYHS displays all of their chairs.
To start, there’s a column and an L-shaped glass case. The column is covered with campaign buttons and a brief history of button-making - 1916 being a big year for changes in production. The display content leans heavily toward the second half of the 20th century.
Here’s a quick note: when I get married, I’d like it to be in a dress that just has the name “IKE” reprinted all over it.
I’m looking forward to my pre-wedding break-in of the NYHS. I imagine it will be like “From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler” meets “27 Dresses.”
There’s a lot about Eisenhower, although I still think that “liking Ike” falls one behind getting “clean for Gene” on the list of great campaign ideas. Also, while the Society believes the fedora belongs to Truman iconography, I think we can all agree that’s not totally true.
Harry Truman + fedora yields 24,800 google results
Indian Jones + fedora yields 256,000 google results
Some Random Guy + fedora yields 34,800 google results
That’s math.
So, the exhibit starts with this corner case of campaign artifacts and then you move on to -
NOTHING.
That’s the whole exhibit.
My rational mind assumes that the NYHS has been dedicating time to their thorough and impressive Grant vs. Lee exhibit. “If Elected” was most likely a smaller project, presented to recognize the 2008 election and using pieces from their permanent collection.
The other half of my brain sees some kind of commentary on campaign elections - you know, the way they lure you in with promises and then never deliver. Yes. I’m looking at you, Franklin Pierce.
That’s me, speaking truth to Franklin Pierce.
Here’s the link to the exhibit. Now you’ve experienced everything I did. You’re welcome.
