Shaking Hands and Kissing Babies: The Road to the White House

Shaking Hands and Kissing Babies examines the history and power of visual advertising in political campaigns of American leaders from George Washington to Barack Obama. Featuring more than 40 campaign items such as buttons, flags, posters, and novelty items, the exhibition underlines the powerful role of mass-market campaign advertising in American elections. 

This diverse collection of objects reminds us that election messaging, mudslinging, and catchy slogans are as American as apple pie.

Exhibition overview from museum website