DIY Suffrage Memorabilia

Sometimes it can be difficult to connect with the past. It can feel like such a distant concept. Memorabilia, or artifacts, are a way to create tangible history that we can interact with. It creates a connection between the past and present. Most frequently artifacts are stored in museums and require greater levels of care and protection. For this activity, you will learn about some different pieces of memorabilia that are noted to be significant to the suffrage movement. Due to the limits of access to these tangible resources, you will have the opportunity to create your own memorabilia, and who knows maybe it will become another record in history, or as I like to call it HERstory.

Combine this activity with the wax museum to create your own at home or in the classroom museum experience.

Zimmerman & Zimmerman P.A. Mobile Suffrage Exhibit

Explore this traveling exhibit created by the American Bar Association and hosted by Zimmerman & Zimmerman P.A.

As you continue to learn about the history of the 19th amendment from this exhibit, consider what items addressed could be considered memorabilia. Did you think of any you could recreate? If so we would love to have pictures and donations submitted to The Teachers College at Emporia State University or 909 SE Quincy St. to include with the traveling exhibit.

Interested in bringing this exhibit to your area. Contact Angel Zimmerman at angel@z2law.com

Suffrage Memorabilia

Tour memorabilia curated by the Smithsonian and other resources to see objects that held historical significance to the suffrage movement. Click the images to learn more about them.

View more historic items by exploring the Smithsonian website.

Woman Suffrage Button

This pin is purple, white, and green. These are the colors the British suffrage movement used to show their support for women's right to vote. In New Jersey, women who owned a certain amount of property had the right to vote for a period of time between 1776-1807. This right was taken away and not won back until the passing of the 19th amendment.

Create your own pins with some hot glue, cardboard, markers, and a safety pin. Draw your design and with adult assistance glue it to a safety pin. Don't have those materials? That is okay. Design your pin on a paper.

Click here to request a free button from 100 Years of the Vote.

American Jailed for Freedom Pin

This pin was given to women who protested and picketed for the suffrage movement and were arrested for their support of the cause. The idea of the pin originated in Britain with a slightly different design.

What kind of action would you think worthy of a pin? Or maybe a medal? Create your own pins with some hot glue, cardboard, markers, and a safety pin. Draw your design and with adult assistance glue it to a safety pin. Don't have those materials? That is okay. Design your pin on a paper.

Pen used to sign 19th Amendment

This pen was used by Secretary of State Bainbridge Colby to sign the certificate ratifying the 19th amendment.

You use writing utensils every day, but sometimes they can become a little more significant depending on what they are used to write. What could you write that would make the pen hold historical significance? Write your own amendment, a letter to your representatives, an action plan on how you will get involved, the options are endless.

19th Amendment Pen

This quill pen is associated with the National Women's Party. This party was known for its efforts in getting women the right to vote. It's association to the suffrage movement is based upon the yellow color.

Add to your memorabilia museum with this easy DIY. Grab a pen, find a feather, and tape them together. Don't have a feather, get creative! Grab some paper, ribbons, or whatever material you can find and make your own feather.

Suffrage Sign

In 1915, Massachusetts suffragists attempted to gain the right to vote for women. To show support over 100,000 of these blue bird signs were posted around the state. Sadly, just like New Jersey, Massachusetts women did not gain the right to vote until 1920

Create your own suffrage sign. Start by sketching your design or mimicking the one to the left. Then grab some cardstock paper, old cereal box, or cardboard box from all of those online orders and make your idea a reality!

19th Amendment Stamp

This stamp was issued in 1998 to celebrate women's right to vote.

Grab a piece of paper and design your own stamp!

Flowing with ideas, then just keep on creating. Not sure what to add in your design? Check out the introduction sash activity page to learn about colors and symbols of the suffrage movement.

Want to learn how a letter in the mail changed history? Check out Harry T. Burn's biography on the wax museum activity page.

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