Highlights of Thomas Jefferson Objects in the Smithsonian Collection

November 14, 2011
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This fall and winter, the Smithsonian will present two exhibitions about Thomas Jefferson. “Jefferson’s Bible: The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth,” is open through May 28, 2012. “Slavery at Jefferson’s Monticello: Paradox of Liberty,” will be open Jan. 28 through Oct. 14, 2012, at the National Museum of African American History and Culture’s gallery in the National Museum of American History. In addition, the Smithsonian has a collection of Jefferson’s artifacts and documents. For more information visit www.gosmithsonian.com/jefferson.

On View

  • Jefferson’s desk used to write the Declaration of Independence (1776)

National Museum of American History, “Slavery at Jefferson’s Monticello: Paradox of Liberty” (beginning Jan. 27, 2012)

Jefferson used his portable desk to write drafts of the Declaration of Independence then sent it to his granddaughter, Eleanora Randolph Coolidge, as a wedding gift in 1825. In 1880 the Coolidge family donated the desk to the U.S. government.

  • Jefferson’s bible (1819–1820)

National Museum of American History, “Jefferson’s Bible: The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth,” on display through May 28, 2012

Using excerpts from the Four Gospels of the New Testament, Jefferson arranged the text to tell a chronological and edited story of Jesus’ life and moral philosophy.

  • Lewis and Clark compass (1804)

National Museum of American History, “The American Presidency”

Jefferson organized an expedition lead by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to explore the Missouri River and routes to the Pacific Ocean. The compass was carried by Clark throughout the journey.

  • Jefferson’s polygraph (1804)

National Museum of American History, “The American Presidency”

An avid writer, Jefferson used the polygraph to create simultaneous copies of his manuscripts and often wrote to Charles Willson Peale, the owner of the American rights to the polygraph, to offer his suggestions on improving the mechanism.

  • John Trumbull portrait of Jefferson (1788)

National Portrait Gallery, “America’s Presidents”

Trumbull painted this portrait of Jefferson using his preliminary study for “Declaration of Independence” as a guide. He then gave it to Maria Cosway, a British miniaturist and friend of Jefferson’s.

  • Mather Brown portrait of Jefferson (1786)

National Portrait Gallery, “America’s Presidents”

The earliest known portrait of Jefferson, the painting was given to John Adams as a token of their friendship.

  • Jefferson Peace Medal (1801)

National Museum of the American Indian, “Window on Collections”

During Jefferson’s administration, a new style of peace medal was created that resembled those used by the British and was an integral part of the U.S. government’s relations with Native Americans in the 18th and 19th centuries. The medal includes a bust of Jefferson on one side and clasped hands and the motto “Peace and Friendship” on the other.

 

In the Smithsonian Collections (Not on View)

  • Gilbert Stuart portrait of Jefferson (1836)

National Portrait Gallery; owned jointly with Monticello, Thomas Jefferson Foundation, Incorporated, Charlottesville, Virginia

A replica of Jefferson’s 1805 life portrait, Stuart painted the oil on canvas after multiple requests from the President.

  • Jefferson stamp (1954)

National Postal Museum

The stamp with Jefferson’s image was introduced in September 1954 and was valued at 2 cents.

  • Letter from Jefferson to the Columbian Institute (1817)

Smithsonian Archives

Jefferson expresses his gratitude for being appointed an honorary member of the Columbian Institute, a literary and scientific society in Washington.

  • Jefferson inaugural banner (1800)

National Museum of American History

The banner celebrates Jefferson’s electoral victory over John Adams. The streamer to the side of Jefferson reads, “T. Jefferson President of the United States of America / John Adams is no more.”

  • The National Portrait Gallery has over 40 prints, drawings and other objects that depict Thomas Jefferson. 

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SI-496-2011

Media Only

Linda St. Thomas

202-841-2517

stthomasl@si.edu