TOMMY G. THOMPSON COLLECTION
MEMORABILIA
PRE-GUBERNATORIAL, 1969-1986, undated

The memorabilia items listed below date from the period before Tommy G. Thompson was elected Governor of Wisconsin. They are arranged chronologically by type of item.  Some pieces could not be dated with any degree of precision and are therefore marked as undated (undated); however, all are believed to have entered Thompson's possession at some point prior to his first gubernatorial victory in November 1986.

Each piece of memorabilia has been assigned a unique identification number (˜·Í¸²Ê ID#) by the Department of Special Collections and University Archives. Some of the items, though not all, had received an original identifier from Thompson's staff before being sent to ˜·Í¸²Ê. This earlier identification number appears in the Notes field.

 Plaques &Certificates            Prints & Framed Works            3-D Objects            Textiles

 

Plaques & Certificates

Item Type:  Certificate
Donor:  TGT
Date:  August 24, 1973
˜·Í¸²Ê ID#:  563
˜·Í¸²Ê Box#: 73

Description:  Certificate from U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's School certifying that Thompson completed the Military Justice Course.

Notes:


Item Type:  Plaque
Donor:  N/A
Date:  1975
˜·Í¸²Ê ID#:  551
˜·Í¸²Ê Box#: 32

Description:  Wisconsin-shaped plaque of wood and metal presented to Thompson for "your dedicated leadership as Assembly Assistant Republican Floor Leader 1973-1975."

Notes:  TGT Staff Code #1975-00-823


Item Type:  Plaque
Donor:  N/A
Date:  1980
˜·Í¸²Ê ID#:  514
˜·Í¸²Ê Box#: 12

Description: Wooden plaque with laminated $10 bill attached.  Message reads "Tommy, Our Assistant Republican Minority Leader Best Known As Our Big Buck Collector 1979-1980"

Notes: TGT Staff Code #1980-00-149


Item Type:  Plaque
Donor:  Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA)
Date:  1985
˜·Í¸²Ê ID#:  557
˜·Í¸²Ê Box#: 12

Description: Plaque made of wood and red metal in appreciation to Thompson for serving as member of WHEDA.

Notes:  TGT Staff Code #1985-00-646


Item Type:  Plaque
Donor:  Income Property Owners Association
Date:  1985
˜·Í¸²Ê ID#:  513
˜·Í¸²Ê Box#: 17

Description:  Plaque made of wood and metal presented to Thompson "with sincere appreciation."

Notes: TGT Staff Code #1985-00-768


Item Type:  Plaque
Donor:  Republican Caucus
Date:  1985
˜·Í¸²Ê ID#:  553
˜·Í¸²Ê Box#: 12

Description: Wisconsin shaped plaque made of wood and metal with inscription "Many Thanks! The Republican Caucus 1983-1985"

Notes:  TGT Staff Code #1985-00-323


Item Type:  Plaque
Donor:  Milwaukee Apartment Association
Date:  1986
˜·Í¸²Ê ID#:  552
˜·Í¸²Ê Box#: 17

Description:  Legislator of the Year Award recognizing Thompson's efforts on behalf of the state's rental housing industry; Wisconsin shaped plaque made of wood and metal.

Notes: TGT Staff Code #1986-00-336


Item Type:  Certificate
Donor:  Madison Magazine
Date: 1986
˜·Í¸²Ê ID#:  556
˜·Í¸²Ê Box#: 73

Description:  Best of Madison Award -- Best Legislator 1986, according to a poll of Madison Magazine's readers.

Notes:  TGT Staff Code #1986-00-433


Item Type:  Plaque
Donor:  TGT
Date:  undated
˜·Í¸²Ê ID#:  561
˜·Í¸²Ê Box#: 12

Description:  Wood and metal plaque with quotation from Thomas Jefferson about virtue of economy and danger of public debt.

Notes:  Believed to date from his pre-gubernatorial career.

 

Prints & Framed Works

Item Type:  Framed Work
Donor: TGT
Date:  1969
˜·Í¸²Ê ID#: 580
˜·Í¸²Ê Box#: 67

Description: Framed print showing individual photographs of members of Wisconsin State Assembly.

Notes: Appear to be same thumbnail portraits as in the Wisconsin Blue Book.


Item Type:  Framed Work
Donor: TGT
Date:  1981
˜·Í¸²Ê ID#: 580
˜·Í¸²Ê Box#: 67

Description: Framed print showing individual photographs of members of Wisconsin State Assembly.

Notes: Appear to be same thumbnail portraits as in the Wisconsin Blue Book.


Item Type: Framed Work
Donor: Gerald J. Ferwerda, Executive Secretary of Elections Board
Date: January 12, 1982
˜·Í¸²Ê ID#:  577
˜·Í¸²Ê Box#: 73

Description: Framed certificate from State Election Board certifying Thompson's election to State Assembly in 1982.

Notes:


Item Type:  Print
Donor:  TGT
Date: 1983
˜·Í¸²Ê ID#:  579
˜·Í¸²Ê Box#: 67

Description:  Unframed print showing individual photographs of members of Wisconsin State Assembly.

Notes:  Appear to be same thumbnail portraits as in the Wisconsin Blue Book.


Item Type: Framed Work
Donor:  AT&T
Date:  June 1985
˜·Í¸²Ê ID#:  767
˜·Í¸²Ê Box#: 102

Description: Three framed medals commemorating the inaugural Badger State Games.

Notes: TGT Staff Code #1985-06-316


Item Type:  Framed Work
Donor:  Loren Anderson
Date:  November 19, 1985
˜·Í¸²Ê ID#:  756
˜·Í¸²Ê Box#: 80

Description:  Collage of photographs and newspaper clippings from the World Musky Hunt that Thompson attended in Minoqua, WI on August 23-25, 1985.

Notes:  Birthday gift


Item Type:  Framed Work
Donor:  Dave Constantine
Date:  1985
˜·Í¸²Ê ID#:  768
˜·Í¸²Ê Box#: 93

Description: Painting of 2 ducks (Limited 411/500); on matte is handwritten note, "To one of our Great State Leaders."

Notes:  TGT Staff Code #1985-00-293


Item Type:  Print
Donor:  Madison Magazine
Date: 1985
˜·Í¸²Ê ID#:  565
˜·Í¸²Ê Box#: 73

Description: Best of Madison Award -- Best Legislator 1985, according to poll of Madison Magazine's readers.

Notes:


Item Type:  Framed Work
Donor:  Wisconsin Counties Association (WCA)
Date:  March 26, 1986
˜·Í¸²Ê ID#:  554
˜·Í¸²Ê Box#: 17

Description:  Framed B/W photograph of Thompson in the Speaker's chair in the State Assembly chamber; label reads, "Journal of the Assembly [March 26, 1986] Representative T. Thompson in the chair.

Notes:


Item Type: Framed Work
Donor:  Wisconsin Chiefs of Police Association
Date:  June 1, 1986
˜·Í¸²Ê ID#:  469
˜·Í¸²Ê Box#: 12

Description: Framed certificate recognizing Representative Tommy Thompson as "A Statesman for Law Enforcement."

Notes: TGT Staff Code #1986-06-331


Item Type:  Framed Work
Donor:  Wisconsin Assembly (?)
Date:  ca. 1986
˜·Í¸²Ê ID#:  550
˜·Í¸²Ê Box#: 17

Description:  Framed wooden gavel set into a red felt backing with the State Assembly seal. Gold label plate cites Thompson's service as representative, floor leader, and assistant leader.

Notes:


Item Type:  Framed Work
Donor:  Barry Goldwater (?)
Date:  undated
˜·Í¸²Ê ID#:  248
˜·Í¸²Ê Box#: 27

Description:  Autographed, framed photograph of Barry Goldwater.

Notes: TGT Staff Code #0000-00-659

 

3-Dimensional Objects

Item Type: 3-D Object
Donor:  N/A
Date: 1964
˜·Í¸²Ê ID#: 1541
˜·Í¸²Ê Box#: 103

Description:  Political campaign button -- "Go with Goldwater and Miller in '64"

Notes: 


Item Type: 3-D Object
Donor:  N/A
Date: ca. 1973
˜·Í¸²Ê ID#: 1542
˜·Í¸²Ê Box#: 103

Description:  Political campaign button -- "McGovern DOWN Lucey TO GO"

Notes: 


Item Type: 3-D Object
Donor:  N/A
Date: 1976
˜·Í¸²Ê ID#: 1538
˜·Í¸²Ê Box#: 103

Description:  Political campaign button -- "REAGAN '76"

Notes: 


Item Type: 3-D Object
Donor:  N/A
Date: 1976
˜·Í¸²Ê ID#: 1539
˜·Í¸²Ê Box#: 103

Description:  Political campaign button -- "Committed to President Ford"

Notes: 


Item Type: 3-D Object
Donor:  N/A
Date: 1976
˜·Í¸²Ê ID#: 1540
˜·Í¸²Ê Box#: 103

Description:  Political campaign button -- "President Ford"

Notes: 


Item Type: 3-D Object
Donor:  Ford, H. M. (?)
Date: 1978
˜·Í¸²Ê ID#: 742
˜·Í¸²Ê Box#: 42

Description:  Wisconsin state seal carved from large wooden block; signature on bottom right reads, "H. M. Ford, 1978"

Notes:  TGT Staff Code #0000-00-397


Item Type: 3-D Object
Donor:  N/A
Date: 1980
˜·Í¸²Ê ID#: 1543
˜·Í¸²Ê Box#: 103

Description:  Nametag button from Republican National Convention -- "1980 Reagan Delegate Tommy Thompson"

Notes: 


Item Type: 3-D Object
Donor:  N/A
Date: 1982
˜·Í¸²Ê ID#: 1555
˜·Í¸²Ê Box#: 105

Description:  Button -- "World Champions Milwaukee Brewers 1982"

Notes: 


Item Type: 3-D Object
Donor:  TGT
Date:  April 11, 1984
˜·Í¸²Ê ID#:  575
˜·Í¸²Ê Box#: 25

Description:  Small green and white funeral card for Thompson's mother, Julia Ellen Thompson. "Born March 18, 1908; Born into Eternal Life April 11, 1984."

Notes:


Item Type: 3-D Object
Donor:  TGT
Date:  1984
˜·Í¸²Ê ID#:  1536
˜·Í¸²Ê Box#: 103

Description:  Political campaign button -- "REAGAN BUSH '84"

Notes:


Item Type: 3-D Object
Donor:  TGT
Date:  1984
˜·Í¸²Ê ID#:  1544
˜·Í¸²Ê Box#: 103

Description:  Nametag button from Republican National Convention -- "1984 Reagan Delegate Tommy Thompson"

Notes:


Item Type: 3-D Object
Donor:  Ronald Reagan and George Bush
Date: January 20, 1985
˜·Í¸²Ê ID#: 559
˜·Í¸²Ê Box#: 25

Description: Small bronze medallion received at inauguration of Ronald Reagan and George Bush.

Notes:  TGT Staff Code #1985-01-987


Item Type: 3-D Object
Donor: Wisconsin State Republican Party
Date:  1985
˜·Í¸²Ê ID#: 558
˜·Í¸²Ê Box#: 92

Description:  Wooden block with wooden gavel; label reads "Rep. Tommy Thompson Permanent Chairman 1985 GOP Convention."

Notes:  TGT Staff Code #1985-00-974


Item Type: 3-D Object
Donor: N/A
Date:  1986
˜·Í¸²Ê ID#: 1523
˜·Í¸²Ê Box#: 103

Description:  Political campaign button -- "Thompson for Wisconsin"

Notes: 


Item Type: 3-D Object
Donor: N/A
Date:  1986
˜·Í¸²Ê ID#: 1525
˜·Í¸²Ê Box#: 103

Description:  Political campaign button -- "It's Time for Thompson. Republican State Convention 1986"

Notes: 


Item Type: 3-D Object
Donor: N/A
Date:  1986
˜·Í¸²Ê ID#: 1527
˜·Í¸²Ê Box#: 103

Description:  Political campaign button -- "Happiness is a New Governor"

Notes: 


Item Type:  3-D Object
Donor:  TGT
Date:  undated
˜·Í¸²Ê ID#:  564
˜·Í¸²Ê Box#: 15

Description: Brown paper bag with image of pumpkin and words "Re-elect Tommy Thompson for Assembly." On reverse side is handwritten note to Thompson from his younger daughter, Tommi.

Notes:


Item Type:  3-D Object
Donor: P L & P
Date:  undated
˜·Í¸²Ê ID#:  549
˜·Í¸²Ê Box#: 29

Description:  White hard hat with label "Representative Tommy Thompson"

Notes:


Item Type:  3-D Object
Donor: N/A
Date:  undated
˜·Í¸²Ê ID#:  1537
˜·Í¸²Ê Box#: 103

Description:  Political campaign button -- "Reagan Bush"

Notes:


Item Type:  3-D Object
Donor: N/A
Date:  undated
˜·Í¸²Ê ID#:  1549
˜·Í¸²Ê Box#: 103

Description:  Button -- "Legalize GRAFT GREED and CORRUPTION. VOTE DEMOCRAT."

Notes:


Item Type:  3-D Object
Donor:  N/A
Date:  undated
˜·Í¸²Ê ID#:  371
˜·Í¸²Ê Box#: 25

Description:  Lapel pin saying "Our Lives Begin in '40, GOP"

Notes:  Antique pin from Roosevelt/Wilke election in 1940; how it came into Thompson's possession is unknown.

 

 

Textiles

Item Type: Textile
Donor:  N/A
Date:  ca. 1986
˜·Í¸²Ê ID#: 521
˜·Í¸²Ê Box#: 54

Description:  Blue and white baseball cap labeled "Thompson For Wisconsin"

Notes: