National Museum of American History

Resources (6)

• Gustavus Vasa Fox (1821-1883)

  Papers, ca. 1866–72, 1 cu. ft. Assistant secretary of the navy, 1861–66. In 1866 he was chosen to lead an American delegation to Russia to congratulate Alexander II on escaping an assassination attempt and, perhaps, to act as a secret negotiator for the purchase of Alaska. Papers documenting his trip to Russia include social correspondence, invitations, programs, and banquet menus, in French, Russian, and English. The Fox Collection also holds a snuff box presented to Fox by the tsar, some medals, a malachite box from the city of St. Petersburg, and some other objects. I. M. Casanowicz, "The Gustavus Vasa Fox Collection of Russian Souvenirs in the United States National Museum," Proceedings of the United States National Museum, vol. 38, no. 1725; and an unpublished description.

• John A. Beemer (b. 1879)

  Papers, 1907–55, 1.2 cu. ft. Civil engineer. Correspondence, reports, maps, plans, drawings, etc., in part pertaining to his work as a consulting engineer for the Soviet government, 1929–31. He worked with the Trans-Caucasia Water Economy Service (Zakvodkhoz) in Georgia, particularly on the Samgory irrigation project, 1930. Reference(s) to V. V. Tchikoff, Giprovod, Amtorg, and the Magnitogorsk Dam. Unpublished folder list.

• Joseph Francis (1801-1893)

  Papers, 1842–87,.1 cu. ft. Inventor and manufacturer. Pioneered many developments in boat design and construction, including the use of corrugated iron and improvements in lifeboat design. While abroad in 1855–63, he contracted for a fleet of corrugated iron steamers for the Russian government. Papers concern primarily his work in Russia, 1858–62. Documents and letters concerning shipbuilding and testing in Russia, in Russian and English; Russian patents; emancipation proclamation of Russian serfs; and printed materials and resolutions addressed to Francis in 1885–87. Collection is unarranged.

• Military and War Poster Collection

  Ca. 1860s-1960s, 50 cu. ft. Contains military recruitment, bond and loan drive, labor and war production, and propaganda posters issued by various countries including Russia during World War I and the USSR in World War II. Unpublished finding aids.

• Russian Paper Currencies Collection

  Ca. 1800–1918. Number of items undetermined.

• Willis H. Dupont Collection of Russian Coins and Medals (Prince Georgii Mikhailovich Collection)

  Ca. 1700–1900s, over 6,000 coins and ca. 4,000 medals. Some coins date from a much earlier period. Most of the medals are silver, some bronze.