We are not the first generation to suffer from political campaigns. Political memorabilia began with the first President of the United States when brass buttons, commemorating George Washington’s 1789 election, were mass-produced. For a look at one of these buttons and other extraordinary presidential memorabilia, visit The American Presidency Exhibit Jan. 26-28 at Omaha Public Library’s W. Dale Clark Library, 215 S. 15th St., Michael Phipps Gallery. The collection will feature objects, some never before shown, from the collection of historian Jordan M. Wright, author of Campaigning for President. Mr. Wright will be available Jan. 26, 2-4 p.m., W. Dale Clark Library, for book signings; and the League of Women Voters will be on hand to provide information on the importance of our votes.

Wright, a lawyer and magazine publisher, began collecting American memorabilia at the age of ten and has amassed a collection of more than a million objects. He is now working to create a permanent Museum of Democracy to house the collection.

His book, Campaigning for President, is based on his personal collection of presidential election memorabilia and tells the colorful story of how presidents (and their losing rivals) have wooed voters since America was founded. These objects—from posters and paper dresses to ice-cream bars, sunglasses, and, of course, buttons—form a fascinating, moving, sometimes funny, sometimes outrageous, physical record of the past.

The exhibit is free and open to the public. The American Presidency Exhibit tour will make stops in major cities across the United States, exhibiting in local libraries and hosting author events. Visit americanpresidencyexhibit.com for a complete list of cities, dates, locations, slideshows of memorabilia and much more. Visit omahapubliclibrary.org for information on this exhibit and other Omaha Public Library events.

Contact:
Linda Trout, 402-444-4838, ltrout@omahapubliclibrary.org
or
Rivkah Sass, 402-444-4834, rsass@omahapubliclibrary.org