Constitution Center

Title: Carpet Bag

Year: 1830-1900

Material: Fibers and cotton thread

Creator: Unknown

Collection: New York Historical Society

 This is a carpetbag that was used commonly used as luggage and made from used carpet. These bags are famous because of the term “Carpetbagger,” that was used during the Civil War to describe Northerners who moved to the South during the Reconstruction era (1865-77). Carpetbaggers were considered to be outsiders that came to take advantage of the conditions in the South.

This object is important to historians and families. Historians can use this object to reflect on the social history of reconstruction through the use of the term associated with the bags. Historians can also use this object to get a sense of the carpet patterns used during the time. This could be helpful for historic houses or period rooms. Carpetbags are also important to families because they were a common item that was handed down.

This object is on display as a loan from the New York Historical Society. The carpetbag is part of a larger display about equality and the Constitution. It discusses the 15^th amendment to the Constitution, which abolished slavery. In the background there is a large panel that has an etching that describes the events surrounding the amendment. Below that there is some text that describes the amendment and the Civil War. To the left of the carpetbag is a drawing of a Freedman’s Village. To the right is a KKK robe and hood. The display seems to be showing the different aspects of the reconstruction era following the 15^th amendment. The Freedman’s Village represents the struggles after freedom. The carpetbag represents the struggle between Northerners and Southerners directly after the war. The KKK robe and hood signify the retaliation after the amendment was passed. 

The text is written from a non-partisan point of view. It doesn’t take to either side of the issue and presents all of the facts. Even the objects represent this point of view. The other objects tie into the main idea and show multiple issues with in the central issue of the 15^th amendment. I think that people from the northern states and the southern states may have different viewpoints about this time period and the abolishment of slavery. I also think that people of different races will have different views about the object and its context. This particular object may not be important or interesting to people that would rather avoid the subject matter. The term “Carpetbagger” still has negative connotations and can be offensive, or taken out of context.

Fields of study in reference to this object might include: Civil War/ Reconstruction era history, decorative arts, building materials, historic houses, furnishings, social history, political cartoons, and Civil War era politics.

I think that an interesting activity to do with this object would be to use all of the political cartoons about Carpetbaggers. I would use the images in a compare/contrast activity to show what the different viewpoints on the issue were at the time. Another way to do this would be to give people a cartoon and ask them to tell the group what they think it means/represents.