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Museum object · Awards, Medals, and Insignia

Harmon Medal in Science awarded to James A. Parsons Jr.

1927

United States, North and Central America

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Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

A William E. Harmon Foundation Award for Distinguished Achievement Among Negroes awarded to James A. Parsons Jr. in 1927. The award medallion is on a gold chain with an Elgin pocket watch and gold penknife at one end. The penknife has a single engraving [TRIM]. The back of the watch is engraved with botanical motifs. The medallion has, on one side, a ship in the water at the center surrounded by [HARMON FOUNDATION / AWARDS], and, on the other side, [SCIENCE / FIRST AWARD / 1927 / JAMES A. PARSONS, JR.] surrounded by [INSPIRARTION / ACHIEVEMENT]. The penknife and watch are both attached to the chain with a large clasp and the medallion is attached with a jewelry hook.

Sources & collection details

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture — original record ↗

Source collection ↗

Catalog metadata · CC0 · Source checked 2026-10-13

Catalog reference: 2015.246.8

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