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Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Remember Pearl Harbor Weathervane
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

Remember Pearl Harbor Weathervane

Artifact IDMO 2005.377
Object Type Weathervane
Maker (American, 1877 - 1956)
Date1942
Mediumcast iron, paint on metal
Dimensionsoverall H 34 in x W 32 in x D 15 1/8 in (864 cm x 813 cm x 384 cm )
box/case H 3 1/2 in x W 34 3/4 in x D 16 1/2 in (89 cm x 883 cm x 419 cm )
Physical Descriptiona) A black cast iron weathervane. The ornament consists of patriotic cutout silhouette images. At the center is an American eagle and a “V” for victory symbol, flanked by two iconic figures from the American Revolution - a Minuteman and Molly Pitcher. Mounted on each side of the arrow beneath the figures is a black and gold metal plaque with wording that reads: REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR. The four directionals are mounted halfway down the weathervane's rod.

b) The weathervane sits on a removable metal finial mount consisting of an inverted “V” bracket made to be mounted to a peaked roof.

c) A specially made wooden case to store the weathervane when not assembled.
Historical NoteClaude C. Ferdinand of Hawthorne, New Jersey created this unique Pearl Harbor tribute. He sent it to FDR as a gift on January 27, 1942.

The iconography of Ferdinand’s weathervane links the American cause in World War II to the American Revolution. An eagle and V for Victory symbol stand at the center. They are flanked on the right by the figure of a Minuteman, immortalized in the famous statue that stands at the site of the 1775 Battle of Concord in Massachusetts. On the left a woman known as a “Molly Pitcher” operates a cannon during the 1778 Battle of Monmouth in New Jersey.

Additional Details
Credit LineEstate of Franklin D. Roosevelt
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesGift Items and Commemorative Artifacts (National Archives Identifier 782690)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - Possibly
CopyrightCopyright or other proprietary rights may be held by individuals or entities other than the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. The Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum does not warrant that the use of materials will not infringe on the rights of third parties holding the rights to these works, or make any representations or warranties with respect to the application or terms of any international agreement, treaty, or protections that may apply. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy any copyright or other use restrictions. Pertinent regulations can be found at 36 C.F.R 1254.62.
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