Browse Exhibits (1 total)

Over the course of history, personal identification and visual recognition have been crucial in social interactions.  Pins, badges, name tags, patches, and other items that display a message are a significant part of material culture and have been for a long time.  In the workplace specifically, all of these types of items are essential to relationships and communication.  An employee name tag aids customers in identifying who is available for help or assistance.  Pins can be given by an employer to an employee for outstanding service, length of employment, or for a special achievement.  For example, former Secretary of State Madeline Albright is well known for her use of pins and brooches to send a political message to her opponents or allies.  Albright would often wear animal shaped brooches depending on their associated meaning.  When she was deemed a “serpent” by Saddam Hussein, she immediately appeared on stage wearing a snake pin to show that she was not afraid of such comments.[1]  Like Albright, many have used pins, buttons, patches, and other related paraphernalia to display values or positions.  These items can hold incredible meaning or be used simply to identify oneself; there is a wide range of utilization. 

This exhibit aims to highlight items from our 2024 collections that fall under the categories of “pins and patches” or anything similar.  These items represent an array of uses, meanings, and personal importance.  From a Sheriff’s Department ID badge to a set of pins earned for service with the United States Postal Service, this unique set of featured items will present the various purposes for them in the lives of local Illinoisans.

[1] Newsweek.  “Madeleine Albright on the Pins She Wore”.  Updated March 13, 2010.  https://www.newsweek.com/madeleine-albright-pins-she-wore-79187