05/25/2026
As we celebrate Memorial Day, we at the Barnes would like to highlight items from our collection that convey the values of this holiday! 🇺🇸
This "WELCOME HOME" pin/button from WW1 was made by The Whitehead & Hoag Company (1892-1965), a pioneering American producer of, as the back of this item states, "Buttons, Badges, Novelties, and Signs". As the inscription on the item suggests, this particular patriotic button was used to warmly welcome soldiers back into their homes following the major war. Inscribed over the bold red lettering is a stoic eagle, and in the white space underneath the message would have been filled with the name of the respective town the soldier was returning to. As an object used to demonstrate gratitude and kindness towards American veterans, this button is an emblem of the values of Memorial Day!
These next two objects are commemorative medal pendants likely made in 1899, honoring Admiral George Dewey (1837-1917) renowned for his position as Admiral of the Navy and triumph at the Battle of Manilla Bay during the Spanish-American War. Both medals depict a bust of the respected leader, with the smaller, silver medal being from F.Koch & Co., a New York department store located in Harlem. On its back is a depiction of U.S battleship Maine, that sparked the war the notable soldier served in. Meanwhile it's golden counterpart depicts the Olympia battleship, and on its front, describes the admiral as "The Nations Hero," with this message, and these medals at large particularly relevant as we celebrate Memorial Day, emphasizing the respect and honor given to the country's veterans that are central to this holiday.
