Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Bonneville Dam Rock Paperweight
Artifact IDMO 1941.5.9
Object Type
Paperweight
Maker
Martin L. Smith
(American, born 1900)
Date1936
Mediumpaint on rock
Dimensionsoverall H 4 1/4 in x W 6 in x D 4 1/2 in (10.8 cm x 15.2 cm x 11.4 cm )
Physical DescriptionA paperweight carved from a piece of Bonneville Dam foundation rock. Emerging from the rock is the depiction of a woman’s head with a small hollow to the right with the words "GOOD / LUCK" painted in it. A painted inscription on the flat front of the paperweight's base reads: Foundation Rock of Bonneville Dam. / excavated and carved by shovel and / dragline operator - Columbia Const. Co. / Sept. 1936 . Martin L. Smith. / 1905 N.E. Going. St. Portland, Oregon.The maker's name is painted in black on the underside of the base: Martin L. Smith. Also on the underside of the base is attached a small adhesive sticker with a typed number: D-25-13.
Historical NoteThis paperweight was carved by Martin L. Smith, a dragline operator for the Columbia Construction Co. in Portland, Oregon. It was presented to President Franklin Roosevelt who kept it for a time on his White House Oval Office desk.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteDeposited at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum by Franklin D. Roosevelt on July 20, 1940. It was donated as a bequest of FDR to the Library 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 StatusUnrestricted
CopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)
Not on view
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