A curator of political history at the National Museum of American History has visited the Bryan Birthplace Museum in Salem.
Claire Jerry was impressed with what she saw.
“I’m engaged in quite a bit of research about William Jennings Bryan’s rhetoric and his campaign material,” Jerry said. “I had no idea how many artifacts they had in his birth home related to not just his campaigns, but his around the world tour and other things. It’s been very exciting for me to see these objects.”
Jerry says while there are lots of places with campaign items, she believes the Bryan home may have the largest collection of his personal items.
“It’s certainly an impressive find for anybody who’s interested in William Jennings Bryan, or I think in the history of American politics, because he does play such a pivotal role,” Jerry said. “From a material culture perspective, a couple of times I said that they’re making my knees weak with some of the things they have that I’ve never seen before… I certainly would encourage people. This is an undiscovered gem in Salem, Illinois, no question.”
Members of the Salem Historical Commission are hoping having a visit from a person related to the Smithsonian Institute can help them better get the word out about the museum. Jerry says she will try and help.
“I’m talking to my colleagues about it and alerting people. I’m hoping at a minimum to connect this amazing group of volunteers with the people of Illinois College, his alma mater, and the work they’re doing on Bryan there.”
Jerry also got to go into the unopened second story of the home to see the bedroom where he was born. The second story has not been opened due to the condition of the stairway.
