What Happens to Leftover Memorabilia from the 2024 DNC
Welcome to the post-convention world, where thousands of balloons and a plethora of political memorabilia signal the end of a whirlwind event. The 2024 Democratic National Convention recently wrapped up in Chicago, leaving behind a trail of hats, pins, signs, and more. But fear not, as the Smithsonian National Museum of American History stands ready to preserve these artifacts, capturing the essence and energy of the convention for generations to come.
Step into the museum and witness a fascinating array of items, ranging from campaign pins to everyday household products like macaroni and cheese boxes and ketchup bottles—all harnessed for votes at one point in time. It’s a testament to the active engagement of individuals in the democratic process, as noted by Claire Jerry, a political history curator at the Smithsonian, who describes the memorabilia as tangible evidence of political participation.
Meet Claire Jerry and Jon Grinspan, the historical dumpster divers of the Smithsonian who have been on a mission since 1988 to salvage political memorabilia from primaries, caucuses, conventions, and protests before they meet their demise in the garbage. Recently, they attended both the Republican National Convention and the Democratic National Convention, gathering items that encapsulate the story of the 2024 election cycle.
At the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, they zeroed in on signs created in haste after Senator JD Vance’s announcement as Donald Trump’s running mate. Meanwhile, in Chicago, they hunted down shirts, signs, and other paraphernalia, with Grinspan’s keen eye spotting a hat on the convention floor that piqued his interest as a valuable addition to the museum’s collection.
Back at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., a massive archive houses hundreds of thousands of items dating back to historical events like the 1844 Whig convention in Baltimore. Among the more recent acquisitions is an at-home convention kit sent to Democratic delegates four years ago during the pandemic to facilitate virtual participation.
For Jerry, the importance of preserving these objects lies in the personal connection they hold. Each item carries the imprint of the individual who once possessed it, whether as a form of expression, support, or commemoration.
As the items from the Democratic National Convention in Chicago are brought in for processing and cataloging, the Smithsonian’s storerooms will soon be filled with a new wave of historical artifacts. While most of the collection remains tucked away, some pieces may eventually find their way to the Museum of American History for public display, allowing visitors to connect with the tangible remnants of past political events.
