Great Banquet of the Wide-Awakes, City Hall, Hartford, July 27, 1860

Date1860

MediumWood engraving; printer's ink on wove paper

DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (overall height x width): 4 5/16 x 9 13/16in. (11 x 25cm)

ClassificationsGraphics

Credit LineMuseum purchase

DescriptionInterior of a hall decorated with garlands, slogans, banners and flags, including American flags. Crossed swords are above the windows. Evergreen trees are on either side of a stage. Men sit on either side of tables arranged in long rows. Centerpieces are on the tables. A chandelier hangs from the ceiling. Signs read: "Welcome / Wide-Awakes / of / Newark" "Free Speech - Free Men / & Free Territory."

Object number1972.36.22

InscribedOn recto, letterpress caption in German reads: "Great Banquet of the Wide-Awakes from New Jersey and the New England States assembled in the City Hall of Hartford, Conn., on July 27, 1860."NotesSubject Note: The Wide-Awake Club, consisting of young members of the Republican Party, originated in Hartford in February 1860. Their purpose was to bring about the election of Abraham Lincoln.

Subject Terms