The Political Button collection at the Ridgefield Historical Society features nearly 200 buttons that represent Ridgefield, Connecticut and national U.S. political history. The colorful and eye-catching buttons range in size from 1” to 3”’s in diameter, some include photo’s or catchy slogans while others simply state a candidate’s name. Each unique button in the collection captures a moment in our political history.
The collection includes buttons from candidates and ballot initiatives including well known national campaigns like “Kennedy for President”, “I Like Ike” and “Rockefeller for President”. There are also numerous candidate and running mate pins such as “Ike and Nixon”, “Bush Quayle” and “Obama Biden”. Statewide elections are represented in the collection with former Connecticut Senator Lowell Weicker’s “I’m a Weicker Liker” from 1970 and tiny kelly green pins from Ella Grasso’s winning 1970’s campaign for Governor of Connecticut. Long time Ridgefield resident and probate judge Romeo Petroni was a state representative and state senator, his buttons include “This Juliet is for Romeo” and “Every Person Counts” from his failed campaign for Governor in 1986. Local Ridgefield politics are also represented in the Historical Society’s pin collection including pins representing Karen Giblin, who served on the Board of Selectman in the late 80’s, and several Rudy Marconi for First Selectman pins.
To throw a little lighthearted fun into the political button collection, there are buttons that read “I Didn’t Vote For the Dope From Hope” referencing Bill Clinton and “Tanned, Rested and Ready Nixon for President” a pin used for Richard Nixon’s successful Presidential campaign in 1968 after a long political vacation.
Come see the Ridgefield Historical Society’s collection of political pins all month long in November. The Scott House, located at 4 Sunset Lane, is open for visitors Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 1-5pm. There is no admission fee. The Historical Society always welcomes donations of Ridgefield artifacts. If you have political pins or other items to donate please contact us at 203-438-5821.
