Vintage and rare Presidential campaign materials will be on display at the South Florida Museum in the Curator’s Choice on the 2nd Floor, August 28 – November 25, 2012 in the new exhibit, Vote For Me! Vote For Me! The collection starts with George Washington and traces the history of Presidential races from the creation of the office in 1789 to the present day. The collection is on loan from a local Sarasota County collector as an opportunity to educate about the historical role political campaigning has upon current campaigning just in time for the Republican National Convention.
Presidential candidates have solicited votes using scarves, hats, buttons, razors, posters, dolls, pipes and more. This method of “campaigning” is documented through the historical artifacts included in the exhibition at the Museum. What can the past tell us about the present? More than 200 examples of American Presidential campaign materials spanning the past 56 presidential races will give us an insight into how politicians and campaigns of the past affect the political campaigns of today.
Vote For Me! Vote For Me! will open to the public on Tuesday, August 28, 2012. A special exhibition reception will be held on Thursday, August 30, 2012 from 5:30 – 7 p.m. The cost for the reception is $10 for non-museum members and is free to museum members.
The South Florida Museum is the largest natural and cultural history museum on Florida’s Gulf Coast, featuring engaging exhibits as well as educational programs which interpret the scientific and cultural knowledge of Florida, the world and our universe. The facility includes the all-digital Bishop Planetarium and Parker Manatee Aquarium which is home to Snooty™ the manatee.
The South Florida Museum is located at 201 10th Street West in downtown Bradenton. Current operating hours are Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sundays, noon – 5 p.m. Regular General Admission is $15.95 for adults, $13.95 for seniors (65 and over), and $11.95 for children (ages 4-12). Children ages 3 and younger are admitted free when accompanied by a paying adult. For more information, please call 941-746-4131 or visit www.southfloridamuseum.org
