Ship Carpenter's Union Banner, Portland, Maine, ca. 1920. Maine State Museum, 2015.30.4.
Ship Carpenter's Union Banner, Portland, Maine, ca. 1920. Maine State Museum, 2015.30.4.
This banner displays symbols of the ship builders' trade. An anchor provides the background to an emblem that includes a builder's square and compass. The arm and hammer at the center of the banner symbolizes industry. Banners such as this often hung in union halls when they were not being carried on parade.
Ship carpenters were the first workers to form a union and strike in America. Later unions, such as the one represented in this banner, typically provided their members sick, disability, funeral, and insurance benefits.