Membership certificate containing views and vignettes related to the Pennsylvania Militia. Central view shows troops on display in front of their tents at a militia campground. Men and women spectators watch the troops from near the tent of the commander in the foreground. The commander's tent, flanked by guards on foot and horseback, and four other tents, faces away from the troops who stand in formation. Also includes vignettes above, to the sides, and below the certificate text. Top vignette shows an exterior of the National Guards Hall built 1856-1857 at 518-520 Race Street. Troops form lines in front of the building. Vignette is in an oval frame that is partially covered in laurel, and bordered by cannons, swords, a drum, a spy glass, bayonets draped in cloth and adorned with wreaths, and medals. Side vignettes depict National Guard soldiers on stone pedestals. The militia man on the left wears a winter uniform and backpack, holds a rifle, and stands in front of the American flag. The soldier on the right wears a standard uniform, holds a rifle, and stands in front of the flag of the National Guard. Bottom vignette shows an American eagle on a "N.G." shield between female and male classical figures of war, heads down, leaning on shields and flags bordered by cannons and cannon balls. The Pennsylvania Militia, originally organized in 1747, was legally renamed the National Guard of Pennsylvania in 1870., Not in Wainwright., Philadelphia on Stone, POS 346, Historical Society of Pennsylvania: Bc 529 R 235
Creator
Rease, W.H, artist
Date
[ca. 1857]
Location
Historical Society of Pennsylvania HSP Bc 529 R 235
