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Mammies, Minstrels and Merchandising In the 1870’s the characters of the Contents: Approximately 200 images on tins, trading cards, photographs, ephemera, lithographs, and posters |
William H. Taft National Historical Site January 18, 2008 - Cincinnati, OH |
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minstrel show-Zip Coon, Uncle Tom, Jim Crow, Mammy and the Pickaninny-emerged in bright colors and happy images on advertising labels and lithographed tins, images on postcards, detergent boxes, tobacco tins, sheet music, and cereal packages. The images document the experience of the “Negro condition” between the 1880’s and the 1930’s through the evolution of merchandising.
The exhibit contrasts the derogatory imagery with realistic portraits and contributions of African Americans during the same period. The exhibition celebrates the accomplishments of African Americans who have moved beyond slavery, “Jim Crow” and minstrel caricatures, to contribute to American industry, 
invention, politics, literature and the arts.