Editor's note: The following was provided by Park University archivist Carolyn Elwess, '71.


During the 2000 presidential campaign, Park University Archivist Carolyn Elwess, decided to display her collection of political memorabilia to encourage students to become involved in the election. To augment her supply of buttons, clothing, posters, bumper stickers and other items, she invited faculty and staff who had political items to loan them for the display.

"I was overwhelmed," said Elwess. "People brought all kinds of things, including some from the Eisenhower era. The interest was phenomenal."

Michael Hernandez, International Student Services director, donated his posters and keepsakes from the 1993 Clinton inauguration. Tim Westcott, Ph.D., associate professor of history and chair of the Department of Social Science, added buttons from Democrat candidates. Mary Maag, former Academic Affairs administrative assistant, provided two of the more interesting items -- hand-painted street signs that were hung on light poles in 1976 when Kansas City was the host of the Republican Convention and her delegate's badge -- and other rare GOP memorabilia. In addition, Carolyn Anderson, associate professor of mathematics, has been a collector for years and has loaned her collections. This year, there will be a collection of buttons and other items from the estate of Jerzy Hauptmann, Ph.D., former professor emeritus of political science and public administration, who passed away earlier this year.

Elwess said that controversies have resulted in some very irreverent buttons, signs and clothing over the years. Some include slogans like "No More Bushes," "Sore Loserman," "Ted Kennedy for Lifeguard," "Impeach Nixon" and "Effete Snobs for Agnew." As far as this year's election is concerned, the sky is the limit.

"This is certainly nothing new. I was in school at Park during the Vietnam War and I recall the Watergate and Chappaquiddick scandals quite vividly," Elwess said. "The material that was flying around then was pretty wild. However, those types of things are easier to find today than they did in the past. Just take a look on the Internet! Buttons, cartoons and signs that display anti-candidate slogans are collector’s items today -- Abraham Lincoln was once portrayed as an ape -- and they have always reflected a variety of attitudes. After all, this is America!"

The exhibit, located in the McAfee Memorial Library, is currently under construction and should be ready for viewing in the first week of October. Elwess plans to keep adding to the display until it comes down at the end of November. Any faculty or staff member who wishes to loan items for the display are welcome to do so -- the bigger the display, the better! Contact Elwess at carolyn.elwess@park.edu or (816) 584-6891 for more information.

Come down to see the display and, above all, get out there and vote!

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