Category: Artifacts

The medal is gold and attached to a blue and green ribbon with a gold bar pin and came with a small matching chevron bar adorned with a gold star. The medal depicts the American Legion logo, which is a five-pointed star on blue enamel, surrounded by a wheat motif with the initials US in the center. The bar pin is inscribed with the text DISTINGUISHED SERVICE. On the back of the medal is an inscription, HERBERT CLARK HOOVER / POSTHUMOUSLY / 1965.

Much Ado About Medals Act V: Denouement

by Kyle Perkins, posted in Artifacts, Herbert Hoover, Humanitarian, Museum

By Kyle Perkins Herbert Hoover died at the age of 90 on October 20, 1964. More than half of those 90 years were spent leading public service efforts. His humanitarian endeavors had such a lasting global impact, they earned the former President recognition from organizations even after his death. This brings us to my final … Continue reading Much Ado About Medals Act V: Denouement

The front of Herbert Hoover's Boys Clubs of America Professional Association Distinguished Achievement Award. The front depicts the Boys’ Clubs logo at the time, a shield with a torch. The inscription on the band surrounding torch reads: BOYS CLUBS / PROFESSIONAL ASSN. There is an inscription around upper edge of medal: BOYS CLUBS PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION, and an inscription under shield: DISTINGUISHED / ACHIEVEMENT / AWARD.

Much Ado About Medals Act IV: The Aftermath and Our Most Valuable Natural Resource

by Kyle Perkins, posted in Artifacts, Herbert Hoover, Humanitarian, Museum, Post Presidency

The front of Herbert Hoover's Boys Clubs of America Professional Association Distinguished Achievement Award.The back of Herbert Hoover's Boys Clubs of America Professional Association Distinguished Achievement Award. The back of the medal was personalized for the former President with: PRESENTED TO / HONORARY / HERBERT HOOVER / FOR TWENTY FIVE YEARS / OF HUMANITARIAN SERVICE … Continue reading Much Ado About Medals Act IV: The Aftermath and Our Most Valuable Natural Resource

The front of the Inaugural Medal given to Herbert Hoover, dated March 4, 1929. (65.7.11)

Much Ado About Medals Act III: The Secretary, The Flood, and The Chief

by Kyle Perkins, posted in Artifacts, Commerce Years, Herbert Hoover, Humanitarian, Museum, Secretary of Commerce

The front of the Inaugural Medal given to Herbert Hoover, dated March 4, 1929. The back of Herbert Hoover's Inauguration Medal. In March 1921, after having served for four years as United States Food Administrator and Commissioner for Belgian Relief, Mr. Hoover was appointed as Secretary of Commerce by President Warren G. Harding. Beloved for … Continue reading Much Ado About Medals Act III: The Secretary, The Flood, and The Chief

A silver medal of thanks was made only two years into Mr. Hoover’s Belgian Relief activities. It depicts the face of Herbert Hoover on the front, with a personalized inscription on the reverse of: Herbert C. Hoover from his friends of the Commission for Relief in Belgium (65.6.38).

Much Ado About Medals Act II: Leones Belgicae

by Kyle Perkins, posted in Artifacts, Food Relief, Herbert Hoover, Humanitarian, Museum

A silver medal of thanks was made only two years into Mr. Hoover’s Belgian Relief activities. It depicts the face of Herbert Hoover on the front, with a personalized inscription on the reverse of: Herbert C. Hoover from his friends of the Commission for Relief in Belgium (65.6.38).The back of the silver medal of thanks … Continue reading Much Ado About Medals Act II: Leones Belgicae

A framed lithograph showing the "First Reading of the Emancipation Proclamation of President Lincoln," an 1864 painting by F.B. Carpenter.

The Emancipation Moment

by Thomas Schwartz, posted in Artifacts, Herbert Hoover, Presidents, White House

There are numerous emancipation moments in American history: many by blacks fleeing enslavement on their own initiative, and others through legal, military, executive and congressional acts. Most individuals know of the work of the “Underground Railroad” that was neither underground nor a railroad, but a network of individuals who helped enslaved people escape to freedom. Often … Continue reading The Emancipation Moment

Mining medal for Lou Henry and Herbert Hoover, showing the inscription of the medal inside its case.

Much Ado About Medals Act I: Lou and The Engineer

by Kyle Perkins, posted in Artifacts, Herbert Hoover, Lou Henry Hoover, Mining Engineer, Museum

Mining medal for Lou Henry and Herbert Hoover, showing the inscription of the medal inside its case. Here in the Curatorial Department of the Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, we help promote and protect the former President’s legacy by safekeeping his physical artifacts. This includes approximately four hundred coins and medals that Herbert Hoover accumulated … Continue reading Much Ado About Medals Act I: Lou and The Engineer