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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.
Thousand Islands Bridge Ribbon Cutting Shears
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

Thousand Islands Bridge Ribbon Cutting Shears

Artifact IDMO 1943.74.6
Object Type Shears, Fabric
Maker (American tool manufacturer, founded 1847)
Dateca. 1938
Mediummetal (steel), paint
Dimensionsoverall H 1/2 in x L 14 1/4 in x W 3 in (1.3 cm x 7.6 cm x 36.2 cm )
Physical DescriptionA pair of long steel shears with black painted handles. The maker's mark is stamped into the metal just above the screw on one of the blades: WISS / NEWARK, N.J. / U.S.A.
Historical NoteThese shears were used by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Canadian Prime Minister William L. Mackenzie King at the August 18, 1938 dedication and opening of the Thousand Islands Bridge. FDR held one handle and Prime Minister King held the other handle as they jointly cut the dedication ribbon.

Built across the St. Lawrence River, the Thousand Islands Bridge is a bridge system connecting the United States and Canada with New York State on one end and the province of Ontario on the other end.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteDonated as a bequest of Franklin D. Roosevelt to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum in 1947.
Credit LineEstate of Franklin D. Roosevelt
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesPersonal Possessions of the Roosevelt Family (National Archives Identifier 782689)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedCopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)
Not on view
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