Skip to main content
Collections Menu
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
USS West Virginia
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

USS West Virginia

Artifact IDMO 1943.20.1
Object Type Model
Maker (American, 1917 - 1980)
Gifter
Date1931
Mediumpaint on wood
Dimensionsoverall H 2 in x W 6 1/2 in x D 1 1/8 in (5.1 cm x 16.5 cm x 2.9 cm )
Physical DescriptionA ship model of the USS WEST VIRGINIA. The wooden battleship has a gray-painted hull and guns, and a natural stained deck left stained deck. Indentions on the top and bottom suggest that the wood may have come from a ruler. The model is fixed to a wooden base on the underside of which is the inscription: U.S.S. West Virginia / 33, 590 tons, 624 feet long / 8 - 16" 45 cal. Guns / 12 - 5" 51 cal. 8-5" anti- / aircraft guns / Scale 1" - 100' / Made by J.F. Putnam, MCMXXXI."

The model comes with a separate glass bonnet (MO 1943.20.2).
Historical NoteThis model was presented to President Roosevelt by the maker, John Francis Putnam (the son of author Nina Wilcox Putnam), in April 1935.
Additional Details
Credit LineEstate of Franklin D. Roosevelt
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesShip Models (National Archives Identifier 782457)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedCopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)
Not on view