Copyrights don’t apply. Item is not a work of authorship.
FDR Walking Stick
Artifact IDMO 1942.348.46
Object Type
Cane
Maker
Queens, NY Boy Scouts
Dateca. 1930
Mediumwood
Dimensionsoverall H 38 in x W 1 7/8 in x D 1 7/8 in (96.5 cm x 4.8 cm x 4.8 cm )
Physical DescriptionA tapered walking stick made from varnished wood. Ten emblems depicting various aspects of Franklin D. Roosevelt's life and career are positioned vertically on the stick. The top of the stick is surmounted by a buffalo. Cut into the back side of the stick is the inscription: PRESENTED TO GOV. FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT BY SCOUTS OF QUEENS BOY SCOUT CAMP TEN MILE RIVER AUG. 23, 1930.
Emblems from bottom of stick to top:
1. Coat of Arms of the Roosevelt Family
2. Seal of Harvard University
3. Seal of Columbia Law School
4. Clasped hands signifying FDR's marriage
5. The fasces indicating FDR's service as an attorney at law
6. Crossed plumes indicating FDR's service as a banker
7. Seal of the State of New York indicative of FDR's service as a member of the State Senate
8. Seal of the Navy Department signifying FDR's service as Assistant Secretary of Navy
9. First Class Pin indicative of FDR's service as President of the Boy Scout Foundation of Greater New York
10. Seal of the Governor of New York
11. Buffalo Indicating the award of the 5 Buffalo, which was presented to FDR in recognition of his services to the Boyhood of the Nation.
Historical NoteMany of FDR’s admirers gave him canes and walking sticks as gifts. This walking stick was presented to him on August 23, 1930 at the Ten Mile River Boy Scout Camp by a group of Scouts from Queens, New York. Eleven emblems mounted on the walking stick reflect important events or associations in Roosevelt’s life and public career. The cane is on display in THE MARCH OF DIMES AND FDR exhibit in the Museum’s FOUNDATIONS OF A PUBLIC LIFE gallery.Emblems from bottom of stick to top:
1. Coat of Arms of the Roosevelt Family
2. Seal of Harvard University
3. Seal of Columbia Law School
4. Clasped hands signifying FDR's marriage
5. The fasces indicating FDR's service as an attorney at law
6. Crossed plumes indicating FDR's service as a banker
7. Seal of the State of New York indicative of FDR's service as a member of the State Senate
8. Seal of the Navy Department signifying FDR's service as Assistant Secretary of Navy
9. First Class Pin indicative of FDR's service as President of the Boy Scout Foundation of Greater New York
10. Seal of the Governor of New York
11. Buffalo Indicating the award of the 5 Buffalo, which was presented to FDR in recognition of his services to the Boyhood of the Nation.
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 StatusUnrestrictedCopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.In Collection(s)
On view
Related Links