The Hudson-Fulton Celebration of 1909 sought to debut New York City to the nation and to the world. Simultaneously, the celebration was intended to educate New Yorkers to their culture and to their history. Combining the popular progressive elements of pageantry, museum and school education programs, and international displays of military and naval strength, the 1909 celebration was an entirely new civic creation. The innovation of the Hudson-Fulton Celebration lay not so much in the design of new elements but in the weaving of old concepts into the fabric of the commemoration.
The Hudson-Fulton Celebration, planned for years by the Commission, paid exquisite detail to its every element. Official symbols and colors pervaded every aspect of this two-week long celebration, constantly drawing attention back to the accomplishments of Henry Hudson and Robert Fulton. The ubiquitous insignias were present on seals, medals, badges, flags, and posters. All of the symbols bore the seal of the Hudson-Fulton Commission and were handled by the Commission of Badges, Flags, and Posters.
Many of these insignias featured the profiles of Henry Hudson and Robert Fulton or, symbolizing these two men, representations of the Half Moon and the Clermont. Others included a woman draped in a classical style, hoping to call to mind the values of antiquity. This woman was often used to represent the Spirit of Progress. The classical woman was used to evoke the ideals of ancient Greece and Rome—democracy, learning, and progress. The utilization of such an icon required a modicum of learning to be interpreted, reflecting the intelligentsia status of the commemoration’s planners and emphasizing the Commission’s desire to present New York as a cultured and intellectual city.
The official flag of the Hudson-Fulton Celebration featured the three colors of the commemoration: blue, orange, and white. These three colors were characteristic of the Dutch Republic. The flag consisted of three horizontal stripes, from top to bottom, orange, white, and blue. The initials, H.F., were emblazoned in the center of the flag, surrounded by a ring of laurel leaves. The ring of laurel leaves, according to the traditions of antiquity, symbolized victory and accomplishment. The initials H.F. stood for Hudson and Fulton. [i]
The official seal of the celebration, imprinted on ink stamps and postage stamps, was fairly typical of the commemoration’s insignias. Depicting a classically draped woman at the prow of a ship, she is sailing through the Hudson River on a ship emblazoned with 1909. Her location is identifiable by the background of the Palisades, re-affirming the importance of the Hudson River in the celebration. The woman also carries two shields: one bearing Hudson’s name and the other bearing Fulton’s. [ii]
The official medal had two different, albeit similar, designs: one of Henry Hudson and one of Robert Fulton. The obverse side of the Hudson medal depicts Hudson and his sailors aboard the Half Moon on the Hudson River. 
The obverse side of the Fulton medal depicts Fulton aboard the Clermont, set against the New York City skyline. 
The reverse side of these medals was identical, illustrating three classical draped females who represented commerce, steam technology, and history. [iii]
The official medal came in nine different versions. The great variety amongst the medals was largely due to the different sizes and materials from which the medals were cast. Smaller, less expensive versions were available for tourists to purchase. Those considered particularly beautiful were reserved for presentation to important personages, including foreign diplomats, important contributors, and even President Taft. [iv]
The official badge of the Hudson-Fulton Celebration also had several versions, the differences occurring in wording, not images. The variations occurred according to whom the badge was given, whether to commissioners, official guests, official aides, or members of citizens’ committees. The obverse side depicted overlapping profiles of Henry Hudson and Robert Fulton, inscribed with the dates 1609 and 1807. The reverse side showed a classically draped woman holding miniature representations of the Clermont and the Half Moon in her outstretched hands.[v]
The official poster depicted a classical woman wearing a winged hat, drawing to mind the victory and speed of the Roman god Nike, whilst holding miniatures of the Half Moon and the Clermont in her outstretched arms. Henry Hudson and Robert Fulton flank her on either side. Above the figures was printed, “Hudson-Fulton Celebration 1609-1807”. Below the figures was printed, “September 25 to October 9, 1909”. [vi]
