Presidential campaign ‘chachkies’ through the years topic of McCandless museum program

Tony LaRussa
Wednesday, June 26, 2019 4:47 p.m. | Wednesday, June 26, 2019 4:47 p.m.

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Whimsical items used in presidential campaigns such as this Richard Nixon shower head are among the artifacts that will be discussed at a free program titled “Marketing the Presidency: A Visual Tour of 125 Years of Presidential Artifacts” on July 18, 2019 at the McCandless/Northern Allegheny Heritage Center in McCandless.

A long-time local collector of political campaign memorabilia will lead a free program at 7 p.m. July 18 in McCandless titled “Marketing the Presidency: A Visual Tour of 125 Years of Presidential Artifacts.”

Steve Mihaly, a retired vice president for the H.J. Heinz Co. will discuss the often odd items candidates have used to promote their run for the presidency.

Among the items in Mihaly’s collection are a James Monroe snuff box that promoted the Monroe Doctrine, a Teddy Roosevelt cast iron door stop, a Richard Nixon shower head that spews water from its mouth and an Eisenhower bar of soap stamped with “Ike’s” image and the words “Clean Up With Ike.”

Mihaly and his collection of artifacts have been featured in a number of national and local publications and TV news shows.

The program will be held at the McCandless/Northern Allegheny Heritage Center located on Aufman Lane off Grubbs Road between the McCandless Town Hall and the McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority.