January 10 - February 29, 2008
Uncle Sam has become the symbol by which America demands more of itself. When he appears, it is with a call to service and sacrifice in times of challenge, or an admonishment for Americans to be wiser: to cherish treasures given, and do what must be done to preserve them.
The image of Uncle Sam was based on a former Continental Army soldier named Samuel Wilson (1766-1854), whose diverse range of business interests included shipping barrels of meat rations to soldiers of the New York militia during the War of 1812 - barrels marked "U.S.", which they referred to as "Uncle Sam's."
Uncle Sam was clean-shaven until political cartoonist Thomas Nast gave him a goatee in Harper's Weekly. Over the years, Sam's taste in attire has varied from striped dressing gowns to striped pants. He has worn a variety of hats, but has also gone hatless as the occasion demands. The common thread in his many appearances has been his distinguished age, and a willingness to roll up his sleeves when necessary.
The posters in this exhibit date from 1904-1950, with several vintage "Uncle Sam" political cartoons from the 1800s also on display.
POSTERS ON DISPLAY:
- Beware of the Wrath of a Patient Man!: Keep Your War Savings Pledge
- Boys and Girls! You Can Help Your Uncle Sam to Win the War
Buy War Bonds
- Keep Up the Good Work, Keep Down Living Costs
- Defend Your Country, Enlist Now in the U. S. Army
- Give Us the Faith and Courage of Our Forefathers
- Help Him to Help U.S.! Help the Horse to Save the Soldier
- I Want You for U.S. Army
- I'm Counting On You! Don't Discuss: Troop Movements, Ship Sailings, War Equipment
- In Pursuit of Money (Russian poster)
- It's Up to You, Protect the Nation's Honor
- Join the National Guard and Be in at the Finish!
- Keep the Stars Shining for Uncle Sam: Join the Quartermaster Corps
- Side by Side ~ Britannia!
- The New Education
- We Are Supporting America's Protein Conservation Program
- We've Made a Monkey Out of You!
- Your Forests - Your Fault- Your Loss!