In 1782, the bald eagle was placed in the center of America’s Great Seal as a symbol of strength, pride, and freedom. As communities across the nation prepare to celebrate the Semiquincentennial and reflect on America’s history, the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum presents a new showcase exhibit that tells the story of The American Eagle. This exhibition combines gifts given to President Ford by the public during the Bicentennial and other eagle-themed artifacts in the collection to examine the history of the eagle and the unique way we commemorate national milestones.
(Image: Charles Thomson’s design for the Great Seal, 1782. Courtesy of National Archives and Records Administration)
Representations of the eagle adorn anything and everything in America, and in this exhibition, you will see sculptures, fashion, art, and more that embody the widespread enthusiasm that surrounded the 1976 Bicentennial. Professionals and the public, adults and kids alike, all participated in claiming the eagle not just as a symbol of government but as part of national identity and celebratory spirit.
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Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum
Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum
The journey to becoming a beloved icon has not been easy for the eagle, though. Benjamin Franklin is rumored to have supported the turkey as our national symbol because the bald eagle was “a bird of bad moral character.” The bald eagle’s story is also one of survival. As eagle populations declined in the twentieth century, Americans had to rally to protect the species through conservation efforts and legislation such as the Bald Eagle Protection Act. John F. Kennedy even said:
The Founding Fathers made an appropriate choice when they selected the bald eagle as the emblem of the nation. The fierce beauty and proud independence of this great bird aptly symbolizes the strength and freedom of America. But as latter-day citizens we shall fail our trust if we permit the eagle to disappear.
The bald eagle was removed from the endangered species list in 2007 and Michigan alone is home to about 900 breeding pairs. The bald eagle, like America itself, has endured and persisted. This exhibition reflects that resilience, and as we head towards our own national celebrations, the Bicentennial collection is a reminder of shared spirit and American identity united by the bald eagle.
c. 1976
Gift of J.E.L. Wade
1989.604.1
Courtesy of Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum
c. 1976
Gift of Samuel Palazzo
2012.30
Courtesy of Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum
Author: Maya Waddington, intern