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Museum Catalog
The Vermont Historical Society houses over 25,000 objects. This includes the Vermont Women's History and Black History Databases.
Banner
Name/Title
Banner
Lexicon
Description
White banner embroidered with red thread with the inscription, "WOMEN OF THE KU KLUX KLAN REALM OF VERMONT / MONTPELIER" beneath an image of a cross within a shield. The bottom of the banner is curved and edged with fringe. The top of the banner is stitched into a casing, into which is inserted a painted dowel. A flat link chain is attached to either end of the dowel, next to the brass ball. To the center of the chain is attached the vertical hollow dowel with a wooden spear like tip.
Acquisition
Relationships
Made/Created
Dimensions
Materials
Entry/Object ID
2004.15
Context
The Ku Klux Klan was generally known for its racist beliefs and hate-filled activities against African Americans. During the 1920s it attracted members in primarily white northern New England by disseminating anti-Catholic and anti-Semitic materials. It's estimated that the Klan had over 10,000 members in Vermont during the 1920s.
This banner can be seen in a 1927 panoramic photograph of a Klan rally in Montpelier. The infamous rally was held on July 4, 1927 when hundreds of Klan members, many of them women, paraded through downtown Montpelier, ending up on a farm on Towne Hill Road. The Klan eventually lost most of its Vermont members because of corrupt national leaders, public blunders by local members, and continual attacks by the Vermont press.
This banner can be seen in a 1927 panoramic photograph of a Klan rally in Montpelier. The infamous rally was held on July 4, 1927 when hundreds of Klan members, many of them women, paraded through downtown Montpelier, ending up on a farm on Towne Hill Road. The Klan eventually lost most of its Vermont members because of corrupt national leaders, public blunders by local members, and continual attacks by the Vermont press.
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Ku Klux Klan Hood
Name/Title
Ku Klux Klan Hood
Lexicon
Clothing/Dress/Costume Details
Interpretative Labels
Description
White pointed hood with holes cut out for the wearer's eyes. The top of the hood rises into a point, the shape of which is reinforced on the inside with a white buckram insert. The eye holes are finished with a small machine-made zigzag stitch. The hood was accompanied with a small length of narrow rope or cording, likely used for another part of the uniform.
Acquisition
Relationships
Made/Created
Dimensions
Entry/Object ID
1993.16.1a-c
Context
Hood worn by a member of the KKK in Montpelier, VT.
Pocket Knife
Name/Title
Pocket Knife
Lexicon
Description
Folding pocket knife with two blades. The blades extend from opposite ends of the handle. One side of the handle is clear plastic over a bed of glitter, with an illustration of a person in a white, hooded robe flanked by the words "DUTY" and "HONOR". The other side is clear plastic over a bed of glitter with a central logo that reads "100%" at the top, with a Christian cross in the center, and a triangle holding the initials KKK at the bottom.
Acquisition
Relationships
Dimensions
Materials
Entry/Object ID
1989.50.2
Context
Owned by Joseph Launderville of Barre, Vermont.
