Trowel Used in Laying the Cornerstone for Tammany Hall, 1867

This commemorative silver trowel features the likeness of Tammany namesake Tamanend, a Native American chief, and the names of Society officers. It was presented to Grand Sachem John T. Hoffman at the 1867 cornerstone-laying ceremony for the new Tammany Society Hall. The powerful political machine controlled New York City elections in favor of the Democratic Party for more than a century.