United States House of Representatives: History, Art, & Archives
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Gavel of Speaker Nicholas Longworth

Gavel of Speaker Nicholas Longworth/tiles/collection/5/5465.xml
Gavel of Speaker Nicholas Longworth/tiles/collection/5/5466.xml
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Date

1925-1931

Dimensions

2 1/4 x 3 3/4 x 13 in. (5.7 x 9.5 x 33 cm)

Accession Number

2010.016.001

Credit Line

Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives

Object Details

Speaker Nicholas Longworth’s gavel is the oldest example in the House Collection. The eyebolt on the handle’s end was handy for hanging the gavel on a nail when it wasn’t in use. Beginning at the turn of the century, gavels were made in the Capitol, and Speakers expected to use many over the course of a lively congressional session. The wear marks on this example indicate that it was a hardworking tool. Longworth signed the mallet’s head, probably when he presented it as a souvenir.

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Office of the Historian: history@mail.house.gov
Office of Art & Archives, Office of the Clerk: art@mail.house.gov, archives@mail.house.gov