This book explores how significant American objects, from paintings to silver to furniture, reflect and shaped the nation's history, ideas, and traditions. Distinguished scholars examine familiar and revered items in American art, including paintings by Trumbull, Peale, Copley, Eakins, Church, Bierstadt, and Homer, as well as silver by Paul Revere and Tiffany & Co., furniture by Roux and Connelly, and photographs by Jackson and Muybridge. The authors investigate how cultural heritage, patriotism, politics, moral outrage, material aspirations, and exploration influenced the creation and interpretation of these objects. Through this lens, the book offers new insights into the American experience and its evolving identity.

This collection of essays offers a scholarly examination of American history through the lens of its iconic objects and artworks. The authors, distinguished scholars in their fields, provide new insights by connecting material culture to broader themes of national identity, politics, and cultural heritage. The book is likely to appeal to readers interested in American history, art history, and the study of material culture, offering a detailed and nuanced perspective on how objects reflect and shape societal values and traditions. The approach promises a rich understanding of the American experience through its tangible and visual legacy.