Investing in America's First Century

When the United States celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1876, it did so on an unprecedented scale. The Centennial International Exhibition in Philadelphia was the nation's first World's Fair, showcasing American industry, innovation, agriculture, art, and technology to millions of visitors from around the globe.

This beautifully engraved stock certificate represents 20 shares purchased by the Sandwich Tack Company to help finance the Exhibition. Printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, it is decorated with allegorical figures celebrating commerce, agriculture, manufacturing, transportation, and the ideals of the young nation.

The Centennial mattered to Sandwich. The Boston & Sandwich Glass Company exhibited hundreds of pieces of glass in Philadelphia, while local industries such as the Sandwich Tack Company invested in making the Exhibition a success. For a small Cape Cod town, it was an opportunity to participate in a national celebration of American achievement.

As we commemorate America's 250th anniversary, this certificate reminds us that celebrating the nation's milestones has always depended on the participation of local communities and businesses.