As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, a growing number of collectors are preserving the nation's history through tangible artifacts, ranging from presidential documents to battle-scarred flags. These items serve as critical links to the country's evolution, encompassing pivotal moments from the American Revolution to advancements in civil rights.
Louise Mirrer, president and CEO of the New York Historical Society, emphasized the authenticity of such Americana, stating, “Artifacts tell us what people were thinking about or saying or doing. People took the time to preserve these materials over the last 250 or more years, and they tell us about our past that binds us together.”
David Rubenstein, co-founder of The Carlyle Group, began his collection in 2007 with the acquisition of a 1297 English Magna Carta for $21.3 million, a document he noted inspired the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. His collection has since expanded to include approximately 7,000 documents. Among his notable holdings are nine rare 1823 facsimiles of the Declaration of Independence, two copies of the Emancipation Proclamation signed by Abraham Lincoln, and a 1789 broadside printing of the Bill of Rights. Rubenstein actively shares his collection, with many items displayed in museums, archives, and even baseball stadiums to ensure public access.
He shared an anecdote about Lincoln's signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, explaining that the president had to wait two hours due to numbness from a day of handshaking, wanting to ensure his signature appeared steady. Rubenstein continues to seek out significant historical documents, including all five existing copies of the Gettysburg Address, which he acknowledges are unlikely to ever be sold but remain accessible for viewing.
John Monsky, a partner at Oak Hill Capital, focuses on collecting flags with compelling stories. His collection includes around 80 flags, some bearing the marks of significant historical events. One flag, he noted, was from a landing craft at Omaha Beach on D-Day and shows signs of shrapnel damage and fraying from harsh winds. Other items in his collection represent black militias from World War II, platoons from the Vietnam War, and even a swatch from the American flag planted on the moon by the Apollo XI astronauts. He also possesses a banner made in 1775 for George Washington, predating standardized flag designs.
Jordan Wright's family collection, managed by his daughter-in-law Madison Wright and grandmother-in-law Pamala Wright, began with a single campaign button collected by Jordan at age 10. Over 40 years, the collection grew to encompass 1.3 million objects. The Museum of Democracy's collection, with items currently exhibited at the Southampton Arts Center, features a wide array of political memorabilia. This includes artifacts from George Washington's 1789 inauguration, 1917 ballots related to women's suffrage in New York, and a robe worn by Richard Nixon in 1974. The collection also highlights the often aggressive nature of past political campaigns through items like miniature coffins used to criticize opponents and dolls representing controversial figures.
Artist Don Troiani, known for his historical battle paintings, also curates a collection of militaria from the American Revolutionary War through World War II. His collection includes weapons, helmets, and uniforms, many with poignant histories. He noted a World War II airman's jacket bearing two names, indicating it was worn by a second individual after the original wearer was injured. Troiani also acquired a Revolutionary War musket likely used in the Whittemore Incident of 1775, which was later captured and used by American forces against the British. He actively seeks artifacts, sometimes using a metal detector at former military sites or receiving items from unexpected sources, such as a rare American Revolution regimental coat found in a stranger's closet.