Objects

Viewing Record 236 of 284
Previous Record  Next Record
Switch Views: Lightbox | Image List | List

William McKinley (1843-1901) Political Campaign Cane
1896-1900
Maker not marked
USA
Wood, silver
overall: 34-1/4"h x 2-1/8"dia
Gift of Mr. Henry S. Kuhn
77.29.2

Political campaign cane or walking stick for William McKinley (1843-1901); top is a metal bust in shape of President William McKinley's head; on side of head it reads "The People's Choice."


Family history relates that Samuel Kuhn received this cane, topped with William McKinley’s head, when the president visited Cleveland in 1901. The next day, an anarchist shot McKinley in Buffalo, New York. Over time, Kuhn’s son, Henry, connected the cane with several vivid childhood memories: the excitement of attending a nighttime political parade as a six-year-old, the thrill of meeting the president on his visit to Cleveland and the shock of McKinley’s subsequent assassination. For further information, see blog post, July 5, 2016 http://nationalheritagemuseum.typepad.com/library_and_archives/2016/07/let-well-enough-alone-presidential-campaign-memorabilia-from-the-collection-.html



Related Media