Illustration of a white swan on a red background. A sprig of leaves with one ripe berry and one un-ripe berry with a swan-like bud is curved into the neck of the swan. 

The design on this button was the logo for the Ocean Spray Cranberry World Museum. Dedicated to educating the visitor on the history and cultivation of cranberries, the museum was located in downtown, Plymouth, Massachusetts. However, the building in which it was housed was sold by Ocean Spray, and the museum moved to the Edaville Theme Park in Lakeville, Massachusetts. From there the trail grows cold.

A museum visitor commented on Roadside America in 2003 that they were able to: “take a picture of a loved one next to the giant cranberry model or the cranberry bog,” and sample Ocean Spray products, “some [of which] are prototypes, not available to the public.” Unfortunately today visitors to Plymouth will have to be satisfied by looking at the Rock.

Red, white, and blue horizontal striped background with white and blue text

Photograph of a half-eaten twinkie on a white background with black text layered on top of the twinkie

The Twinkie is an American packaged sponge cake with cream filling invented in 1930. In November 2012, production was suspended after a union dispute led its former bakery to bankruptcy. In 2004, the brand’s parent company, Interstate Bakeries, filed for bankruptcy protection. Their profits had decreased, which the company credited to increased health consciousness, and which Wall Street credited to corporate strategy and debts. A private equity firm bought half of the stake in the company and renamed it Hostess Brands in 2009. They failed to reach a labor deal with the bakers’ union, which led to the speculation that they would close operations.

A Los Angeles Times report on the aftermath of the public announcement stated that the threat of the Twinkie's demise sparked hoarding of the treat and “shock waves through the country.” Hostess Brands was put up for auction in 2013 and the majority share of the business was bought by two private equity firms for $410 million. Twinkies returned to shelves soon after and the company stabilized. The return of Twinkies was possible through utilizing retailers like Walmart for shipment of goods and, according to The Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union (BCTGM) president David B. Durkee in 2013, hiring less experienced bakers to avoid union negotiations. 

Red background with black illustration of a man with blue and white highlights in center of button, and black text with white highlights under the image.

High contrast front-facing portrait of Huey Newton with black text above

Huey Percy Newton (1942-1989) was an African American political activist who co-founded the Black Panther Party along with Bobby Seale in 1966. The core mission of the group was to organize the African American community to prevent police abuse and racial discrimination. In 1967, Newton was convicted of voluntary manslaughter in the death of a police officer, resulting in 2-15 years in prison. His trial and imprisonment sparked protests which adopted the slogan “Free Huey”. In 1970, the conviction was overturned when it became clear that Newton had acted in self-defense. The image depicted is of Newton wearing a military beret and a shotgun on his side. He is attributed as one of the most important black civil rights leaders in American history.

Blue text on a cream colored background.

The Colorado Springs Association for the Blind is a local chapter of the National Federation for the Blind in Colorado (NFBCO). The nonprofit organization advocates for and supports individuals affected by visual impairments, along with their friends and family. Aside from community outreach, NFBCO publishes The Blind Coloradan, a monthly newsletter that aims to assist blind people and highlight resources to improve the daily lives of those affected by blindness.  

color illustration of a rooster crowing with black text on its comb and neck on a yellow background with black rim

Cholerine was a product produced by the Germo Manufacturing Company of Sedalia, Missouri. The remedy was designed to cure cholera, gapes, and roup in chickens. With Cholerine, you, a poultry farmer, can, “[develop] otherwise poor and unhealthy fowls into a healthy condition—hence, with pure blood, good appetite, perfect digestion, clean craw and gizzard… the fowl fattens of her own accord and lays every egg nature intended she should.”

Black text on an orange background with a black rim 

On November 15, 1969, the Vietnam Moratorium Committee brought together over 500,000 activists who marched in Washington, D.C. to protest the Vietnam War. Similar demonstrations were carried out across the country. This event followed the March Against Death demonstration the previous day, where protesters marched in D.C. with signs that listed the names of deceased U.S. soldiers and Vietnamese towns that had destroyed in the war. The march on November 15th, known as Moratorium Day, featured speeches from politicians and performances from popular musicians. It was reported as a non-violent, quiet, and somber protest.

Cream colored button with black and white image of Frank Rizzo in the center, and red and blue text above an below image.

In 1971, Frank Rizzo, then known as Philadelphia's Police Commissioner, launched his first campaign for mayor. Running as a Democrat, Rizzo appealed to voters who were concerned about rising crime rates and sought a strong leader to restore order. This campaign was ultimately successful, leading to his election as mayor. He held his office for 2 terms, and then tried to run for reelection for a third term by attempting to amend the Philadelphia city charter, but did not succeed. 10 years later, in 1987, Rizzo ran for mayor again, but this time as a Republican. He was defeated by Mayor W. Wilson Goode, but did not give up and ran for election once again, as a Republican, in 1991. He unfortunately died that same year, suffering from a heart attack while campaigning. 

Rizzo was a very important political figure in Philadelphia, but he also holds a controversial legacy. Notoriously racist, Rizzo was known for violence and civil rights violations. Alongside his 1971 campaign slogan, “You can bank on Frank'', Rizzo also told Philadelphian’s to “vote white”. A statue honoring him was built in front of the Philadelphia Municipal Services Building in 1998, but was eventually removed in June 2020 amid nationwide protests against police brutality. He is remembered by some as a champion of public safety and others as a symbol of racial division and police brutality.