A bowl made from Kilkenny marble

Dec 03, 2013

This week's artifact is a bowl (1968.9.1) made from Kilkenny marble in Ireland. A tradition starting in 1952, the “Shamrock Ceremony” has the Ambassador from Ireland giving a gift of a bowl filled with shamrocks to the President of the United States. This bowl was given to LBJ in 1968… view exhibit

LBJ’s Air Force One flight map

Nov 19, 2013

This week's artifact is a map that charts the flights of LBJ aboard Air Force One between 1966 and 1968. President Johnson spent so much time aboard the plane that he had his own spacious leather seat installed. (1973.2665.1)   view exhibit

Scale Model of the Temporary State Designed for the White House.

Temporary Stage Designed for the East Room of the White House

Nov 13, 2013

This week's artifact is a 1:24 scale model of the temporary stage designed for the East Room of the White House. (1969.65.1)  Included in the scale model are miniature ballet dancers and actual working chandelier and backstage lighting instruments. The dedication performance was by the Harkness Ballet on Sept 29, 1965. view exhibit

LBJ Halloween mask

Oct 30, 2013

Image opening a cabinet, and seeing LBJ staring back at you. That's just what happened here. This LBJ mask was a gift from Dr. and Mrs. Frank Serman to the Library in 1974. One could really give ghosts and ghouls the “Johnson Treatment” while donning this unusual artifact. (1974.46.1)… view exhibit

LBJ’s sofa

Oct 22, 2013

This week's artifact is a sofa (1970.21.16) used by LBJ during his tenure as Senate Majority Leader. LBJ was known to work long hours and spend many a late night on this obliging couch. At over 7 feet long, it was one of the few sofas that could fit his 6' 4”… view exhibit

Envelope with three special postmarks

Oct 17, 2013

This week's artifact is an envelope (1973.9412.1) with three postmarks created by Rev. G. Sherman Ott after some travel across the USA in 1968. The postmarks (from Lyndon, OH, Bains, LA and Johnson, AR) spell out the President’s name. The envelope was then autographed by the President himself. view exhibit

Football helmet signed by Joe Namath

Sep 23, 2013

This week's artifact is a football helmet (2003.9.3) signed by Joe Namath. This Hall-of-Famer played in the NFL from 1965 to 1977, and led the New York Jets to a Super Bowl victory in 1969. view exhibit

Painting by President Dwight D. Eisenhower

Sep 09, 2013

Did you know that President Dwight D. Eisenhower was a painter?  This week's artifact (1983.48.1) is a painting of a mountain scene done by Eisenhower in 1958 – while he was still the President of the United States. He never had ambitions to sell his paintings, preferring to give… view exhibit

LBJ’s Longhorn Jacket

Sep 04, 2013

This week's artifact is a burnt orange jacket (2009.8.1) worn by President Johnson while attending University of Texas at Austin football games. This silk jacket, especially made for LBJ, is complete with buttons featuring the Presidential seal. The LBJ Presidential Library is on the UT-Austin campus. view exhibit

Scale model of LBJ’s boyhood home

Aug 26, 2013

This week's artifact is a scale model (1:87 ratio) of the LBJ boyhood home circa 1913 (1997.15.1).    Two weeks after his fifth birthday, Lyndon Johnson's family moved from his birthplace, a farm near Stonewall, Texas, to Johnson City, fourteen miles away. They lived in this house for more than… view exhibit

Julia Child’s Cookbook

Aug 20, 2013

This week's artifact is a 1967 edition of Mastering the Art of French Cooking (1973.1047.1) by Julia Child.  This copy has a personal inscription of admiration: "To Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson—All good wishes from one of your many admirers—Julia Child." While Julia Child made French cooking… view exhibit

An oil painting of LBJ done by an inmate at the Texas Department of Corrections

Aug 05, 2013

This week's artifact is an oil painting (1973.10329.1) done by an inmate at the Texas Department of Corrections in 1971 and given to the LBJ Library in 1973.  The Huntsville prison provided art classes in the 1970s. view exhibit

A fan from the Sultan of Bamoun, Cameroon

Jul 29, 2013

This week's artifact is a fan (1964.27.2) presented to the First Lady from the Sultan of Bamoun of Cameroon. G. Mennen Williams, the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, brought this back to Lady Bird after a 1964 trip to Africa. view exhibit

A retractable toothpick

Jul 22, 2013

This week's artifact is a retractable toothpick (1973.2736.1) – about the size of a golf pencil – given to LBJ by his Senate office staff. An attached note read, “To Sen. Johnson – But please don’t use on Senate Floor!  From Your Office Staff” view exhibit

Brass cowbell

Jul 17, 2013

This week's artifact is a brass cowbell (1970.48.903) given to LBJ by a German resident with the intention that it would be used at the LBJ Ranch. More cowbell! view exhibit

Pocket watch

Jul 08, 2013

This week's artifact is pocket watch (1971.4.19) owned by Sam Ealy Johnson Sr. and Sam Ealy Johnson Jr., LBJ’s grandfather and father.  LBJ was known to give away Hamilton watches that had been inscribed with his initials and the "golden rule" — Do unto others as you… view exhibit

World War II American flag

Jul 01, 2013

This week's artifact is an American flag (1970.20.34) of the type carried by U.S. Servicemen during WWII in the Far East and South Pacific.  On it is the text of seven different languages which translates that the soldier is an American aviator with a disabled plane – and… view exhibit

Malachite box with a hinged lid

Jun 24, 2013

This malachite box has a gilt bronze frame and base with a velvet interior. It also includes a gold key with two faceted stones. The box was given to Lyndon B. Johnson by His Excellency Aleksey N. Kosygin, Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Union of Soviet Socialist… view exhibit

Sunglasses with transistor radio

Jun 17, 2013

This week's artifact is a pair of sunglasses with a built-in transistor radio. (1973.3594.1) This was a gift from Benjamin H. Oehlert, whom LBJ appointed as the Ambassador to Pakistan in 1967. view exhibit

Jade and quartz necklace from the President of Mexico

Jun 10, 2013

This week's artifact is a Head of State gift from Gustavo Diaz Ordaz, the President of Mexico. This necklace (1964.41.2) consists of pale green jade and white quartz beads, with gold beads interspersed throughout. The jade beads are believed to be of pre-Columbian age and of Guatemalan origin.  view exhibit

A set of longhorns

Jun 03, 2013

This week's artifact is a set of longhorns [1973.9384.1.jpg]. We always knew LBJ was a true Texan, but finding this quintessentially Texas object really solidified the fact. Wildlife thrives at the LBJ Ranch, including American bison, white-tailed deer, and Texas longhorn cattle. In the video "Homeplace," here's… view exhibit

A pair of straw golf shoes from the President of the Philippines

May 20, 2013

This week's artifact is a pair of brown/tan straw golf shoes (1964.37.10) given to LBJ by the President of the Philippines, Diosdado Macapagal.  LBJ had this to say about golf: “One lesson you better learn if you want to be in politics is that you never go… view exhibit

Brass knuckles from the Island of Ponape

May 13, 2013

This week's artifact is a weapon -- a set of “brass knuckles” (1973.6057.1) made of hardwood and inset with 18 shark teeth. This type of weapon was once used by residents of the Island of Ponape, a former U.S. Territory. Ponape is now known as Pohnpei, a state… view exhibit

Gold necklace from the President of the Republic of Senegal

May 06, 2013

This week's artifact is a Head of State gift from Leopold Sedar Senghor, the President of the Republic of Senegal. This gold necklace (1966.40.1) was presented to Lady Bird during a 1966 official visit to the United States by the President of Senegal. Senghor served at the first president of Senegal… view exhibit

Navigational stick chart

Apr 29, 2013

This week's artifact is a navigational “stick-chart” (1973.8710.1) used by Marshall Islanders to travel long distances by sea. They fixed their position between atolls – the shells – by interpreting wave patterns indicated by the sticks.   view exhibit

Black lacquered box from Seoul, Korea

Apr 22, 2013

This week's artifact is a black lacquered box (1970.23.398) with raised mother-of-pearl peacocks and abalone shell tail feathers. This beautiful piece of craftsmanship was a gift to Lady Bird from the Ewha Womans University in Seoul, Korea. The Ewha Womans University is the world’s largest female educational institute. view exhibit

Model of the Golden Pavilion in Kyoto, Japan

Apr 15, 2013

This week's artifact is an architectural model of the Golden Pavilion (other wise known as Kinkaku-ji) in Kyoto, Japan. (1966.25.1) This was a gift from His Excellency Eisaku Sato, Prime Minister of Japan.   view exhibit

Butter knife from Berchtesgarten

Apr 09, 2013

This week's artifact is a butter knife (1973.10156.1) taken from the Nazi mountain retreat of Berchtesgarten by Col. Willard White when the town was captured by the Allies at the end of WWII. At the time, Col. White was married to LBJ’s sister, Josefa Johnson, and brought back… view exhibit

Basketball signed by Walt Frazier

Apr 02, 2013

This week's artifact is a basketball (2003.9.4) signed by Walt Frazier. Walt Frazier was the point guard for the New York Knicks from 1967-1977, leading the franchise to two National Championships. Frazier still holds the Knicks' franchise record for most assists in a career. His #10 jersey was retired by the… view exhibit

[LBJ Library photo by Ruth Goerger]

Russian sniper rifle

Mar 25, 2013

This week's artifact is a Russian sniper rifle (1970.46.7) captured in War Zone D, Republic of Vietnam, by Troopers for the 173rd Airborne Brigade. view exhibit

Redwood salad bowl

Mar 18, 2013

This week's artifact is a salad bowl (1970.23.379) made from a redwood burl. This bowl was given to Lady Bird by the Eureka, CA Chamber of Commerce. Because of Lady Bird’s conservation efforts, the Lady Bird Johnson Grove was named after her at the Redwood National Park. The… view exhibit

The key to the city of Seoul, Korea

Mar 04, 2013

This week's artifact is the key to the city of Seoul, Korea, (1970.25.39) given to President Johnson during his 1966 Asian trip.  Remarks on Departing for the Asia-Pacific Trip (October 17, 1966) Lyndon Baines Johnson Secretary Rusk, and members of the Cabinet, Mr. Speaker McCormack, Leaders Mansfield and Dirksen, ladies and gentlemen: … view exhibit

LBJ campaign art on an artificial fingernail

Feb 12, 2013

This week's artifact was found the in the LBJ political collection. It's an artificial fingernail (1997.16.1)—a novelty made to commemorate Johnson’s 1964 campaign by donor Jeffrey Vallance. Who says you can’t be political, yet fashionable? Vallance, an artist who lives and works in Los… view exhibit

Electric toothbrush stamped with the Presidential seal

Feb 05, 2013

This week's artifact is an electric toothbrush set stamped with the Presidential Seal. (1973.8831.1)  LBJ kept “give-away” items in the Oval Office and often gave out sets like this. Rumor has it that Doris Kearns Goodwin amassed 5 during her tenure as a White House intern, and finally… view exhibit

Children’s drawings of the 1965 Inauguration

Jan 24, 2013

The Museum Collections department came across a scrapbook (1973.7994.1) that contains images from the 1965 inauguration drawn by a group of 2nd graders. Juxtaposed with photographs, we can see an inaugural celebration from the perspective of a child.   view exhibit

George Foreman’s warm-up robe

Jan 14, 2013

This week's artifact is a warm-up robe (1983.61.1) worn by Heavyweight boxing champion George Foreman. The lettering reads "George Foreman - The Fighting Corpsman." In a letter to Lady Bird, George said, “I wore the robe with pride because it had been President Johnson’s Job Corps which… view exhibit

Painting by Vincenzo Fodera

Jan 02, 2013

This week's artifact is a painting done by Vincenzo Fodera, and gifted to the President in 1966.  It shows soldiers from the State of Georgia fighting in Vietnam. (1970.3.280)  Rodney M. Davis was a Marine from Macon, Georgia who fought in Vietnam.  For his heroic actions, he posthumously… view exhibit

Southwest Texas State Teachers College

Dec 06, 2012

This week's artifact is a (1979.140.1) Southwest Texas State Teachers College sweater from donor G. Preston Smith. The “D” on the insignia indicates that this sweater belonged to a debate team member. The most prestigious alumnus of Southwest Texas State Teachers College (now called Texas State University-San Marcos),… view exhibit

Relief sculpture of LBJ

Nov 28, 2012

This week's artifact is a relief sculpture bust of LBJ (1966.49.16) made from white capiz shells with a background of dark gray capiz shells. This bust is a part of our Head of State collection and was given by Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos during a trip to the Philippines.  … view exhibit

Peanut-shaped Pill Container

Nov 06, 2012

This week's artifact is a peanut- shaped pill container. (1999.29.1)  Story has it that Mrs. Johnson served tea to Betty Ford in the LBJ Library Presidential Suite during a campaign stop Mrs. Ford made during the 1976 Carter/Ford election. Without realizing the faux pas, guest Martha Tiller offered Mrs.… view exhibit

Novelty hat from the 1988 Republican National Convention

Republican Elephant Baseball Cap

Oct 29, 2012

This week's artifact is a novelty hat collected at the 1988 Republican National Convention.  It's a baseball cap with attached elephant ears, eyes, and trunk.  The real selling point is the cords attached to the ears that feed through the hat and tie under the chin. … view exhibit

Yuki’s dog collar

Sep 24, 2012

This week's artifact is a dog collar worn by President Johnson’s dog, Yuki, while living in the White House. (1973.3572.8)  The inscription on the tag reads “DC Dog Tag 1.”  To learn more about and see pictures of Yuki and the other Johnson White House… view exhibit

A Boxing Glove Signed by Muhammad Ali

Sep 17, 2012

This week's artifact is a boxing glove (2003.8.3) signed by Mohammad Ali.  This object was last featured in the LBJ Library and Museum exhibit “Signs of the Times: Life in the Swingin' Sixties.” View a list of past exhibits at the LBJ Library and Museum. view exhibit

First Day Issue Stamp

Aug 31, 2012

This week's artifact is part of our philatelic collection or, in layman’s terms, our stamp collection.  A number of our stamps, like these addressed to Mrs. Charles Robb (Lynda Johnson), were First Day Issue stamps mailed by the Postmaster General to the White House.  These… view exhibit