Artifact Friday: Mother's Memento Pillow Case

Mothers influence us in every way possible, from our childhoods to how they shaped us as adults. Mother pillows have been a long-standing tradition within the American military for centuries, dating back to the War of 1812, which shows historical love for a mom.

This gesture is one of tradition, love, and remembrance. The mother pillows were first handmade by soldiers from old grain sacks and would have simple phrases such as Mother and Sweetheart. During the Civil War, this became even more popular and expanded to not just mothers but to wives and sweethearts back home. This was practiced in both the South and the North, a symbol of family both sides of the conflict held dear.

America's entry into World War 1 started the process of manufactured mother pillows. Sales skyrocketed during this time, faltered after the war, and picked up again from 1941-1945. An estimated 11.7 million were sold. These pillows became a tradition, and the military embraced it. Many soldiers who sent these pillows would not return home, and they became a token of remembrance for mothers of their fallen soldiers.

Because of this, many pillows had a poem embedded on them. On this particular pillow in our collection, the poem goes “Mother, no friend half so near to me, no comrades so true, no pal half so dear to me mother as you, no love half as sweet to me, no heart half so fine as the love and the heart of you mother o’ mine.”

These poems and pillows became sentimental to mothers as they knew their soldier held them in high esteem and that they were okay wherever they were.

Mother pillows are no longer as common as they were in WW1 and WW2. This particular pillow is made of genuine silk and dates back to the Korean War, when the Air Force branch became established.

These pillows are a historical keepsake of love from a son to a mother. Mother's Day is a tried-and-true day to show a mother appreciation, and as we celebrate, let's remember the mothers of fallen soldiers and those whose sons are away on their special day.