In a black-outlined oval in the center is a black and white illustration of a traditional home in a wooded landscape with black and white text above and below. Around the oval is a red background with black text. 

Sperry Flour Co. was a flour manufacturer founded by Austin Sperry in 1852. Sperry found success, expanding and opening multiple flour mills throughout the Pacific Northwest. Sperry's production began to decline due to its slower old-fashioned methods and the interference of World War I. In 1929 Sperry Flour Co. merged with rival flour company, General Mills, changing the company’s name to General Mills, Sperry Division.

Henry A. Wallace (1888-1965) was best known for being the 33rd Vice President of the United States under President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Henry A. Wallace, the son of Henry C. Wallace, who served as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture from 1921 to 1924, followed in his father's footsteps by serving the same title from 1933 to 1940. Outside of his political career, Henry A. Wallace grew up on a farm and became a journalist for his family’s magazine, Wallaces’ Farmer. Wallace created a mathematical method while working for his family's magazine to help agriculture prices. He also founded the seed company Pioneer Hi-Bred International, which produces seeds for agricultural purposes. 

The anti-slogan, “6,000,000 Piglets Squeal Hank Wallace's Raw Deal,” is about Wallace enacting the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1933, which resurfaced during his run as Vice President the 1940 U.S. Presidential election. In response to the Great Depression, the production costs of maintaining crops and livestock became unstable. The purpose of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1933 was to provide financial relief to farmers affected by the Great Depression by reducing agricultural supply—in short, the government purchased and slaughtered livestock from farmers to improve the economy. Though the act faced significant backlash, it did little to impact Wallace's political career.

Black text on a white background

By 1969, over 500,000 United States military troops were stationed in Vietnam to fight the communist influence of North Vietnam. The war was incredibly destructive and violent against the Vietnamese people, and the United States’ involvement blurred the country’s moral standing. Demonstrations of opposition to U.S. involvement in Vietnam quickly grew into a countercultural social movement. Among those to join the “peace movement” were students, mothers, anti-establishment youth, civil rights activists, feminists, Chicano movement activists, educators, clergy, journalists, lawyers, veterans, and physicians. Tensions were already high due to an increase in student activism during the civil rights and free speech movements, only to be ramped up even higher once the military draft was enforced. The graphic war footage brought into the homes of Americans through televisions also played an active part in the growing opposition to U.S. involvement. Civil rights activist Malcolm X recalled how the U.S. was fighting to free Vietnam from communism yet refused full rights and equality to African Americans “at home.” In March 1973, the U.S. withdrew the last of its military troops from Vietnam, and the war ended two years later in April 1975. 

Blue text and a blue and white litho illustration of actress Janet Gaynor on a white background

Janet Gaynor (1906-1984) was an actress associated with the Golden Age of Hollywood era. Her career started in silent films and transitioned to sound films during the film industry transformation of the late 1920s. Her success peaked at the 1928 Academy Awards when she became the inaugural winner of the Best Actress award for her roles in three separate films—the first and only time the Academy awarded one award for multiple performances.

Janet Gaynor appeared in notable films throughout her career, such as A Star is Born (1937), and became one of the most profitable actresses during the 1930s. She semi-retired from motion pictures by the 1950s, turning her focus to theater and oil painting. Tragically, her life was cut short in 1984 due to complications from injuries sustained in a car accident two years earlier, from which she never fully recovered.

Black illustration of a german shepherd dog with black text on a yellow background

The German Shepherd is a large, noble dog breed. Originating in Germany during the 19th century, its agile and energetic behavior is perfect for any working dog, yet its loyal personality is ideal for any family. German Shepherds are guardians, working alongside first responders and saving lives every day. They are also part of the herder family, bred to herd sheep. Shepherds can stand as high as 26 inches and can weigh up to 88 pounds, making their large stature very intimidating. The breed can be easily confused for a scary dog; however, the famous hero, Rin Tin Tin, showed the world just how brave, intelligent, and loyal German Shepherds can be.

The breed's reputation isn't all just bark, though. German Shepherd can be prone to aggression and have a tendency to bite. A study published in the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery found that from 1971 to 2018, of all dog bites that were deemed worthy of a hospital visit, the most from a specific breed were from the German Shepherd. 

In the center is a Bbue and white illustration of Mike Ditka on an orange background, surrounded by a blue rim with white text and white stars

Red and blue vertical stripes above and below a white background with blue and red stars and red text

1979 was quite a year for Miss Piggy; she starred in the hit film The Muppet Movie, was a People magazine cover model, prompted a Campaign to Award Miss Piggy an Oscar (CAMPO), and, evidently, was supported by some to become the next president of the United States. The following year would see the release of The Cincinnati Dancing Pigs’ novelty tune Ms. Piggy for President. In August of 1980, Miss Piggy was featured on the cover of LIFE magazine with the slogan “Miss Piggy for President”. It seems America couldn’t get enough of Frank Oz’s complicated yet lovable pig puppet.

While the team backing her 1979 presidential bid remains elusive, the idea is still being discussed; the ToughPigs website made a very compelling argument for her presidency as recently as 2016.

Bright orange background behind a large dark blue heart with white and orange stylized block text and an illustration of a white husky

Dog Sledding, also known as ‘dog mushing’ is a long-standing reliable form of transportation deeply rooted in Alaskan culture. The Anchorage Museum, a large cultural institution dedicated to the art, history, and technology of Alaska and the Arctic region, distributed these "I’m a husky lover" buttons for visitors to wear. 

Dog sledding is Alaska’s official state sport; the state hosts numerous racing events, including the famed Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race which starts in Anchorage. Dog sled mushers typically have 12 to 16 dogs on their team, guiding through harsh winter conditions and sub zero temperatures. The Iditarod Trail and other dog sled races take an average of two weeks to complete. 

Brown text and red heart on a yellow background

Located in the historic Faneuil Hall Marketplace, the Boston Chipyard has been baking cookies since 1977. These made from scratch cookies are well loved by locals and tourists alike. Aside from their staple cookie, the chocolate chip, Chipyard has other cookie flavors: the banana stand, oatmeal raisin, and peanut butter chocolate chip. Be sure to add this to your itinerary on your next visit to the captial of the Bay State!

Black text on a bright yellow background is above and below a black and white line drawing of a cat hanging from a branch by its two front paws.

The expression on this button is a variation of the "Hang in there, Baby" catchphrase featured on a motivational poster designed by photographer Victor Baldwin in 1971. Many versions of the poster were made, mostly featuring a photograph of a cat hanging from a stick, branch, or other object that it attempted to climb or jump on to. Victor Baldwin owned a portrait studio in California and though he photographed many celebrities, his first love was animal photography. 

This is likely a reprint of a button from the 1970s, on view here in our online collection.