Civic Badge Medallion Civic Badge Medallion FrontGerman-American Heritage Museum of the USA
Civic badge medallion
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, ribbons and medallions became a popular way for people to express support or membership for many causes. German American societies often had custom made ribbons for events and leadership positions.
A popular manufacturer
S.N Meyer crafted German American medallions in Washington, D.C.. His creations celebrated events such as the end of the Spanish American War, and conventions for the Deutsche Amerikanischer Nationalbund (National German American Alliance)
Meyer's Military Shop
S.N. Meyer, later known as Meyer's Military Shop, was run by Simon Meyer and his son, Nathan. At 23 years old, Simon Meyer immigrated to the United States from Brackenburg, Germany in July of 1867. He later became a naturalized American citizen in 1892.
Deutsche Amerikanische Nationalbund Sixth Annual Convention Delegate Medal Deutsche Amerikanische Nationalbund Sixth Annual Convention Delegate Medal FrontGerman-American Heritage Museum of the USA
DANB 6th Conv. Press DANB 6th Conv. Press (Ca. 1911) by Meyer's Military ShopGerman-American Heritage Museum of the USA
Early days
Simon's company originally started as a women's headwear business, but eventually shifted to sell "gold and trimmings." By 1885, the shop was listed in the business census to sell "regalia."
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Location
As the contents of the Meyer store changed, so do its location. Originally the store was at 722 7th street from 1868 to 1899.
DANB 6th Conv. Press DANB 6th Conv. Press BackGerman-American Heritage Museum of the USA
Changing locations
The store shifted to 1411 Pennsylvania Avenue in 1899, and moved down the street to 1231 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in 1902. Meyer stayed here until 1914.
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Last stop
Meyer's Military Shop moved to its final location, 1331 F Street, in 1914. Simon stayed on the second floor of the Interstate Building until around 1923.
DANB 6th Conv. Arrangements DANB 6th Conv. Arrangements BackGerman-American Heritage Museum of the USA
Legacy
Simon's son, Nathan, became involved in his father's store before he moved to New York to open his own business, "N.S. Meyer", in 1906.
N.S. Meyer was an Army and Navy goods business that claimed to date back to 1968, which is a clear reference to his father's shop in D.C.. The N.S. Meyer logo can be found on 20th century military lapels, pins, and metals. The business remained in operation in New York until it was bought by Vanguard in 2000.
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