Vigo History Center debuts political button display

More than 200 political buttons spanning many years at the moment are on display on the Vigo County History Center, after being unveiled by collector Eleanor Cox Riggs on Thursday.

The distinctive assortment was acquired by the History Center due to a beneficiant donation by Cox Riggs. The in depth assortment consists of buttons, ribbons, medallions and different political memorabilia relationship way back to 1840.

“I have been collecting my whole life,” Cox Riggs stated. “I have things from my grandfather from the 1800s … and then it seemed like every vacation I took with my husband and family was always to somewhere historic. I’m just thrilled to have this in a museum in my hometown.”

On Thursday, the History Center formally opened the exhibit with Cox Riggs and members of her household. Now in her late 80s, the collector was amazed, saying she hopes the exhibit and data will encourage younger folks to be taught extra about politics and coverage and encourages them to be diligent voters.

“I hope more school children will come to the museum, see this and be interested in history,” she stated. “I want people to get interested in voting and politics and public policy. It’s all so important.”

Added curator Suzy Quick, “She continuously added to and used this collection to teach young people about history and the importance of voting. We’re honored to have this collection, which will be used for further education and enjoyment of today’s generation and those of the future.”

An appreciation of politics and gathering was handed down from Cox Riggs’s father and grandfather, explains Quick.

“This exhibit is a showcase of one extraordinary woman,” Quick stated. “Eleanor Cox Riggs is from Terre Haute. Her father, Wilson Naylor Cox Jr. worked as a lawyer for Terre Haute First Financial Bank and arranged its transition to First Financial Bank. Her grandfather, Wilson Naylor Cox was President of the Bank, but it was his role as a1932 and 1936 delegate to the Republican convention that spurred her interest in collecting these items.”

Cox Riggs herself was engaged in native and nationwide politics, serving as a member of the League of Women Voters for over 50 years. She additionally served as president of the Republican Women’s Club and was elected into the Electoral College in 1976.

Despite the household’s function throughout the Republican occasion, the gathering is non-partisan and options gadgets from the campaigns of well-known U.S. Presidents to smaller almost unknown candidates and others from the late 1800s to early 1900s.

The Vigo County History Museum is open 10 a.m. to five p.m. Tuesday by Saturday. Learn extra at vchsmuseum.org.

— The Vigo County History Museum offered this text to the Tribune-Star.