SMU’s DeGolyer Library presents:
'Hail to the Chief: Presidential History in Word and Image'
Through Oct. 4, DeGolyer Library at SMU is offering exhibit of presidential memorabilia, including campaign biographies, letters, posters, buttons, cartoons, inaugural medals, photographs and other artifacts, from George Washington to Barack Obama.
DALLAS (SMU) – DeGolyer Library's summer exhibit, “Hail to the Chief: American Presidential History in Word and Image,” continues through Oct. 4, 2013, as part of the SMU's "Year of the Library" celebration.
“Hail to the Chief: American Presidential History in Word and Image,”
The exhibit features presidential memorabilia such as campaign biographies, letters, posters, buttons, cartoons, inaugural medals, photographs and other artifacts, from George Washington to Barack Obama.
The exhibition includes the first political buttons, bronze inaugural buttons designed to be sewn on to clothing in honor of George Washington’s inauguration. The Washington button features 13 joined rings around the perimeter representing the original 13 states. “Hail to the Chief” also includes other campaign memorabilia – from medals and lapel pins from William Henry Harrison’s campaign – to bumper stickers for Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama.
Rare lithographs and first edition books dating to 1784 are displayed, including the 1809 M.L. Weems Washington biography, which includes one of the first mentions of the legendary cherry tree Washington myth.
More recent items include “Dear Dallas” letters written to Dallas mayor Earle Cabell after the Kennedy assassination and an invitation to the luncheon Kennedy never attended on his Dallas visit.
The exhibit features items from various DeGolyer collections, including the Hervey A. Priddy Collection of American Presidential and Political Memorabilia and the Doris A. and Lawrence H. Budner Theodore Roosevelt Collection.
Events at a Glance
| What: | “Hail to the Chief: American Presidential History in Word and Image.” |
| Where: |
DeGolyer Library |
| When: | July 14 - Oct. 4 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Saturday, July 20 Noon - 5 p.m., Sunday, July 21 8:30 p.m. - 5 p.m., Saturday, July 27 |
| Cost: | Free and open to the public |
| Parking: | Visitors may park in designated areas, including Binkley Parking Garage at 3105 Binkley Avenue and Moody Parking Garage at 3063 SMU Boulevard. (Click here to see or download parking maps.) You can also ride the Mustang Express (Route 768) from Mockingbird Station to campus. |
In addition to "Hail to the Chief," DeGolyer Library hosted an exhibit of George Washington’s personal copy of the Acts of Congress — including the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights and other legislation passed by the first session of Congress — July 14-27. Read more. Also listen 
About DeGolyer Library
DeGolyer Library is the principal repository at SMU for special collections in the humanities, the history of business, and the history of science and technology. Its rare books, manuscripts, photographs, maps, and other materials are available to all SMU students, faculty, visiting scholars, and other researchers. DeGolyer Library’s holdings of primary sources are complemented by exhibitions, lectures, publications, and other programs.
News Media Contact:
Nancy George
214-768-7674 or 972-965-3769 (cell)
ngeorge@smu.eduHigh-res images available upon request.