Pocket watch likely carried by Matthew Henson in 1908-1909 Arctic expedition
date: label: Date
content: 1888-1889; inscribed 1908 or 1909
name: label: Manufactured by
content: American Watch Company, American, 1850 - 1957
label: Used by
content: Matthew A. Henson, American, 1866 - 1955
label: Subject of
content: Matthew A. Henson, American, 1866 - 1955
label: Subject of
content: Robert E. Peary, American, 1856 - 1920
notes: label: Caption
content: An engraved watch that is believed to be the watch carried by Matthew Henson (1866-1955) on his exploration of the North Pole along with Adm. Robert E. Peary from July 6, 1908 to April 23, 1909. Henson is an iconic figure among American pioneering explorers. During the 1908-09 expedition led by Admiral Peary (whom he assisted on several Arctic expeditions over a 20-year period), Henson became the first man to reach the North Pole. For his achievements, Congress awarded Henson the Peary Polar Expedition Medal in 1944. In 2000, the National Geographic Society awarded Henson the Hubbard Metal – its highest award.
label: Description
content: This pocket watch belonged to Matthew Henson and is engraved with his initials. The watch is silver in color and the words [R.E. PEARY / NORTH POLE / EXPEDITION / 1908] are engraved on the front in an Edwardian style. Henson's initials [M.A. HENSON] are engraved on the side. The watch has a white face with black hands and roman numerals. The watchmaker's name [Am. Watch Co. / WALTHAM] is printed in the top center of the face. The inside of the watch is engraved with the watchmaker's name [American Waltham Watch Co.] and the serial number [3639616].
place: label: Place used
content: North Pole, Arctic
label: Place used
content: Cape Morris Jesup, Greenland, Denmark, North and Central America
label: Place made
content: Waltham, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, North and Central America
topic: label: Topic
content: African American
label: Topic
content: Men
label: Topic
content: Nature
label: Topic
content: Science
label: Topic
content: Technology
label: Topic
content: U.S. History, 1865-1921
setName: label: See more items in
content: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
label: Classification
content: Accessories and Personal Effects
creditLine: label: Credit Line
content: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of African American History and Culture
identifier: label: Object number
content: 2017.31
objectType: label: Type
content: pocket watches
objectRights: label: Restrictions & Rights
content: No Known Copyright Restrictions
label: Restrictions & Rights
content: Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
physicalDescription: label: Medium
content: nickel , metal and glass
label: Dimensions
content: H x W x D: 3 1/4 × 2 1/4 × 3/4 in. (8.3 × 5.7 × 1.9 cm)