The Eagle Made Out of Lincoln's Hair

In a small dimly lit back room of the Onondaga Historical Association in Syracuse, New York, is a unique and priceless treasure—a civil-war era decorative eagle made entirely out of hair contributed by leading politicians and their wives, most notably President Abraham Lincoln and First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln. The artifact came about when the US Sanitary Commission, a volunteer agency working for the health of Union soldiers during the war, needed money for its efforts and reached out to President Lincoln soliciting a lock of hair as large as he can spare. Lincoln communicated the request to other members of the parliament and a surprisingly large number of politicians and their wives responded positively, donating their hair for the Brooklyn jewelers Spies & Champney to weave a national symbol out of it. Photo: Sandra Roe, Photosat1020. Courtesy Of The Onondaga Historical Association The large showpiece, nicknamed the “Hairy Eagle”, featured an American eagle perched on top of half a globe, spreading its wings and surrounded with swirls and flowers. The eagle’s head was made from Lincoln’s hair, its back from Vice President Hannibal Hamlin’s hair, its beak from Secretary of the Treasury Salmon Chase’s hair, and its wings from the various senators’ hair. The wives’ hair, meanwhile, was used to create the “floral” arrangement surmounted by the eagle and globe. The egale became an immediate attraction when it was debuted at Metropolitan Sanitary Fair organized to raise funds for the benefit of Union soldiers. Running for three weeks in April 1864, the fair featured events, attractions, auctions, raffles and more. For the entry fee of $2, visitors could view spectacular floral arrangements in the Temple of Flora, watch dances performed by the fair’s Native American Troupe, enjoy Dutch cuisine at the Knickerbocker Kitchen and even buy a piece of Plymouth Rock.