Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Print, Photographic |
Source |
Muscatine Art Center |
Iowa History Era Tag |
World War II to an Urban State (1940-1963) |
Chronological Tag |
Postwar United States (1945-1970s) |
Catalog Number |
2018.010.005 |
Credit line |
Muscatine Art Center - Muscatine, Iowa |
Description |
On July 4,1946, the town of Muscatine held a celebration for both the 50th anniversary of the pearl button industry in Muscatine and Iowa''s centennial. During the celebration, seven women who each represented one of Muscatine's major pearl button factories tried to be crowned Pearl Button Queen. The winner was selected by Ronald Reagan, who sent in his choice by telegram. During the celebration, the seven women sat on a large parade float shaped like a large mussel shell. This photograph shows the Pearl Button Queen float and some of the women who sat upon it. Content can be used with the following standards: 2nd grade SS 2.24 Natural Resources, SS-W.H. 9-12.26 Iowans Influence World History and 4th grade SS 4.25 Technological Changes in a lesson on how the natural resources of Iowa led to businesses and new industries. For any use other than instructional resources, please check with the organization that owns this item regarding copyright restrictions. |
Additional Research & Sources |
The rise and fall of the pearl button occurred over nearly 75 years before being replaced by plastic buttons. During this time, Boepple began his own pearl button business. After finding the mussles of Illnois too fragile and thin to cut, he returned to Muscatine where the mussels were thick and durable to cutitng. Creating an ocean pearl machine to cut fresh water mussel shells, Boepple established his first shop. However, the McKinley tariff of 1890 made ocean shell imports rather expensive and Boebbles had to find a business partner to help with the business. Working with William Molis, the two opened the worlds first fresh water pearl button plant in the world. As the factory grew, the plant moved from the foot-powered to steam-powered machines and created a Barry Automatic machine to drill holes to make a standardized button. Muscatine soon became known as the Pearl Button Capital of the World. |
Notes on Related Objects |
Object is related to the following library resources, which can be found by searching the catalog number in the advanced search section: Catalog #: 2018.045.198- Mississippi River |
Primary/Secondary Source |
Significant - Local |
County Tag |
Muscatine |
People |
Reagan, Ronald Boepple, John Frederick |
Relation |
Show Related Records... |
Multimedia Links |
Click here to view/hear the file. |
Search Terms |
Business & Industry Cultural Events Types of Business and Industries Pearl Buttons Celebrations |
Legal Status |
Ownership of this resource is held by the Muscatine Art Center and has been provided here for educational purposes only, specifically for use in the Iowa Museum Association's "Teaching Iowa History" project. It may not be downloaded, reproduced or distributed in any format without written permission from the Rights Holder. For information on U.S. and International copyright laws, consult an attorney. |
