Galt & Bro. facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Galt & Bro., also known as Galt's, is a famous American company that sells beautiful jewelry and special items. It's known for making custom jewelry, often using 18-karat gold, sparkling gemstones, natural diamonds, and shiny silver. They also sell watches and fancy personal accessories. Galt is one of America's oldest jewelry companies, starting way back in 1802 in Washington, D.C.

Galt & Bro. was founded by a jeweler named James Galt. It became very popular in the 1800s and 1900s because many important people in American history shopped there. The company's records show famous customers like Presidents, First Ladies, and visitors from all over the world. Many valuable historical items, like Abraham Lincoln's pocket watch, have Galt's name on them and are now in museums. Galt's motto was: "When you cater to Washington, you cater to the world." Today, there's also a Galt store in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

History
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History

How Galt & Bro. Started

The company began in 1802. A watchmaker and silversmith named James Galt opened it in Alexandria, Virginia. At that time, Alexandria was part of the District of Columbia. This made Galt's one of the oldest businesses in the area. Alexandria was the first home for the business until 1825. Then, it moved to Washington, D.C.

Early Years and Patriotism

Inside the Galt & Bro. store on Pennsylvania Avenue, around 1915.

James Galt was a very patriotic person. He volunteered to serve in the army during the War of 1812. He fought under General Young's group during the second British invasion. He even helped push back the British forces from Maryland.

Moving to Washington, D.C.

In 1825, James Galt decided to move his business. He moved it to downtown Washington, D.C., across the Potomac River from Alexandria. The new store was on Pennsylvania Avenue and Ninth Street. As America's capital city grew and became more successful, so did Galt's business and its good reputation. James Galt continued to run the business until he passed away peacefully in 1847.

In 1868, the company moved again. It went just a few blocks from the White House to 1107 Pennsylvania Avenue. It stayed there for 66 years. This made Galt's a well-known and permanent part of the nation's capital. Even though the company has changed addresses and owners many times over 200 years, it has always stayed in Washington, D.C.

Lincoln's Pocket Watch and the Civil War

Abraham Lincoln wearing a suit with a pocket watch chain.

The American Civil War started on April 13, 1861. On that day, Confederate soldiers attacked Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina. Galt's watchmaker, Jonathan Dillon, was working on President Lincoln's pocket watch. He heard that the war had begun. He quickly said a prayer. Then, he secretly wrote a message inside Lincoln's watch.

The message said: "Jonathan Dillon April 13-1861 Fort Sumpter [sic] was attacked by the rebels on the above date J Dillon" and "April 13-1861 Washington thank God we have a government Jonth Dillon." This watch stayed in Lincoln's jacket pocket his whole life.

The secret message was not known for 148 years. People even doubted it existed. Lincoln himself never knew he carried this hopeful message. Forty-five years later, Dillon told The New York Times about the message. He had made it when fixing Lincoln's watch at the start of the Civil War.

However, it wasn't until 2001 that Doug Stiles, Dillon's great-great-grandson, contacted the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. The museum had the watch. He asked for the watch to be opened and the message shown. After almost 150 years, Lincoln's favorite watch and Dillon's prayer became a famous part of American history.

Lincoln's favorite pocket watch was not the only connection his family had with Galt & Bro. During the Civil War, First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln loved to buy things. From 1861 to 1865, Galt's records showed many purchases by Mary Todd Lincoln. These included diamond rings, gold bracelets, brooches, fans, and silver items. In her famous Civil War photograph, Todd Lincoln wears a Galt's diamond-and-pearl necklace and bracelet set. She bought it for $1,100.

President Rutherford B. Hayes

A silver set given to President Rutherford B. Hayes and his wife Lucy Hayes for their wedding anniversary on December 30, 1877.

The 19th president of the United States, Rutherford B. Hayes, and his wife, First Lady Lucy Hayes, received a Galt silver set. It was a gift for their wedding anniversary on December 30, 1877. The wooden box was covered in leather. It had gold letters on top that said: "The President and Mrs. Hayes December 30, 1852-1877." The front edge showed Galt's special mark. The case held 12 silver spoons, each with a different design.

President Chester A. Arthur

An 18-karat gold pocket watch given to Joseph Haydn Potter by President Chester A. Arthur.

The 21st president of the United States, Chester A. Arthur, ordered a special pocket watch. This 18-karat gold Waltham Hunter pocket watch was given to Joseph Haydn Potter in 1883. It was for his work as a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The watch had an engraving that read: "Presented by the President of the United States to Joseph Potter Master of the Haytian Bark "Letitia" for Humanity in rescuing the Shipwrecked Crew of the Schooner James Bliss of Belfast Maine At Sea April 16, 1883". This means he was honored for saving people from a sunken ship.

President William Howard Taft

President William Howard Taft's gold Yale keychain. It's 14-karat gold with his name on one side and Yale/1912 on the other.

The 27th president of the United States, William Howard Taft, received a gold Yale keychain in 1913. This was when he joined the faculty at the Yale Law School. He had left the White House the year before. Taft taught at Yale from 1913 to 1921. Then, President Warren G. Harding chose him to lead the Supreme Court. The keychain was made of 14-karat gold. It had a ring and a matching chain. His name was engraved on one side, and "Yale/1912" on the other. The ring had an engraving that said University Club Washington DC, 1913. The gift box had the mark of Galt & Bro.

First Lady in Charge: Edith Galt

After James Galt passed away, his son Matthew Galt owned the business until 1892. Then, Matthew Galt's sons, Walter A. Galt and Norman Galt, took over. They renamed it Galt & Bro. Walter Galt left the company in 1900. Norman Galt continued to lead the business until 1908. Norman Galt had married Miss Edith Bolling, who later became a First Lady. She inherited the business in 1908 after her husband's death.

Woodrow Wilson and Edith Galt Wilson at a Ball Game.

Edith Galt later married the 28th American president, Woodrow Wilson. She became the official First Lady of the United States. She balanced her role of serving the nation with managing the Galt business until 1934. Edith became one of the most talked-about American First Ladies. She is known for helping the President with his duties after he got sick while in office. Some historians even call her the first female President of the United States. This is because she and Wilson worked very closely together.

In 1916, First Lady Edith Bolling Wilson gave a Galt & Bro. pendant to an Australian composer named Percy Grainger. While Grainger lived in D.C., he performed for three American presidents: Woodrow Wilson, Calvin Coolidge, and Franklin D. Roosevelt. Grainger received this pendant for his first performance at the White House for the Wilson family in March 1916. This special piece is now part of the Grainger Museum Collection.

1930s-1999

As Galt changed owners over two centuries, new leaders brought fresh ideas and improvements. Each decade, new goals were met with new jewelry designs and collections, attracting new customers. Galt's contributions continued through every American era. In 1941, at the start of World War II, Galt held a gold and silver donation drive. This was to support the war efforts and help pay for the U.S. and its allies. People were asked to bring old gold and silver pieces to the store. The money from these donations went to the Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines Club. This club provided places for visiting soldiers to stay.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower

In 1960, the 34th president of the United States, Dwight D. Eisenhower, ordered a gold plaque. It was made of 14-karat gold for the Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev. However, their meeting was canceled. This happened because of the growing Cold War and increasing tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union. The plaque was never given. Instead, Galt & Bro. kept it. It became another historical item, a reminder of the difficult relationship between the United States and the Soviet Union (which later became Russia).

President John F. Kennedy

The 35th president of the United States, John F. Kennedy, used silver items made by Galt & Bro. in the White House. These included a White House Oval Office paperweight. It was engraved with the President's Seal. He used these himself and also gave similar paperweights as special gifts to friends. Another item made of silver was engraved napkin holders. These were used when members of the President's team ate at the White House. The President also ordered a gold plaque. It was meant as a friendly gift for the last ruler of Zanzibar, Sayyid Jamshid bin Abdullah Al Said. The plaque was never received because the President was assassinated in 1963.

2000-Present

A 10-carat pink diamond ring made by Galt & Bro. was sold at an auction by Christie's for $2.21 million on October 10, 2012. The ring had a pear-shaped, light pink diamond that weighed about 10.52 carats. On each side, it had a smaller, tapered diamond. The ring was set in platinum. A report from the Gemological Institute of America said the diamond was a natural, light pink color with good clarity. It also said the diamond was a Type IIa diamond. This type is known for being very pure and clear. The diamond was first bought in 1968 at the same auction where Richard Burton bought a 33.19-carat diamond ring for Elizabeth Taylor. That ring later became known as The Elizabeth Taylor Diamond and sold for $8.82 million in 2011.

Images for kids

Abraham Lincoln's photograph, in a suit with a pocket watch chain.
A silver set presented to President Rutherford B. Hayes and his wife First Lady Lucy Hayes on the occasion of their wedding anniversary on December 30, 1877
An 18 karat gold pocket watch presented to Joseph Haydn Potter by the President of the United States Chester A. Arthur.
President William Howard Taft's gold Yale keychain in 14 karat gold with a ring and matching chain, with an engraving of his name on one side and Yale/1912 on the reverse side.
Woodrow Wilson and Edith Galt Wilson at a Ball Game