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The History List

Dolley Madison Tote Bag with Washington Portrait Inside

Dolley Madison Tote Bag with Washington Portrait Inside

Regular price $ 28.95
Regular price Sale price $ 28.95
Sale Sold out
Shipping calculated at checkout.

Our original design featuring Dolley Madison on the outside and the portrait of George Washington that she saved printed on the inside.

It’s the perfect all-purpose tote bag you can carry around everywhere. And as students head back to school, it’s an inspired choice for books and other school essentials.

Made in America in every way: Cut, sewn, and printed in New England using a 100% cotton canvas that is made in the USA. Sturdy handle to keep contents secured.

Size: 15" (Height) x 13" (Width) x 3" (Gusset) with two handles: 25” Spun Poly handles for carrying over the shoulders and 13" handles for easy carrying.

Care instructions: Spot clean only. Line dry. Do not put in the washer or dryer.

Also available: Bookmarksticker, and a magnet.


Historical Background behind the design

Burned President's House

First Lady Dolley Madison is often credited with saving the portrait of George Washington and other White House treasures when the British attacked the Capitol in 1814. But few accounts mention the help she received from one of her enslaved servants.

Read "How Dolley Madison saved the portrait of Washington from British troops in 1814, with help from Paul Jennings, John Susé, Jacob Barker, and Robert G. L. De Peyster, among others" for a detailed account on the events right before the Burning of Washington and what others had to say about Dolley Madison's courageous act.


Thanks to Michael Morrison for the encouragement to develop a design around the War of 1812 and the burning of Washington.

Shipping

Key dates for the 2024 holiday shopping season

  • December 13 at 2 pm Eastern: Our recommended deadline for domestic Christmas delivery via USPS. While we can't guarantee delivery, regardless of carrier, our hope is that if you order by December 13, USPS will have be able to get orders to domestic addresses by Christmas. This date is more conservative than the date published by USPS. We want to be sure that everyone gets their gift in time. Important: Does not include personalized items, signed books, or Rare Finds. See below for more information on these.

  • December 19 at 2 pm Eastern: Orders for in-stock items received by 2 pm Eastern Thursday through Friday will ship the same day if you specify UPS 3 Day Select delivery. Important: Does not include personalized items, signed books, or Rare Finds. See below for more information on these.

  • December 23 at noon: The last day to ship orders before Christmas. If you want to have something shipped overnight, call Lee Wright at 469-233-7712 by noon Eastern to find out whether that's possible and the shipping charge.
     
  • Fulfillment will be closed from December 24 through January 1.

For personalized items, signed books, or Rare Finds purchased after December 13

  • If you purchase a personalized item, signed book, or Rare Find item after December 13 and want it delivered by Christmas, contact Lee Wright as soon as you make your purchase to see what the options are. (If it turns out that it won't get to you or the gift recipient by Christmas, we will give you an immediate refund and will also recommend alternative gifts.)

 


For shipments to addresses within the U.S. (scroll down for International shipping) 

Flat-rate shipping: Regardless of the number of items you order, the shipping price for shirts, caps, unframed prints and posters, bracelets, lapel pins, pendants, and button packs is $5.95.

For hooded and crewneck sweatshirts, mugs, and blankets, the shipping cost is $8.95. 

Our flat rate shipping means you can add two or more t-shirts, sweatshirts, or caps for no additional shipping charge.

Note that some large or heavy items, including larger framed prints, may have a different shipping charge or a shipping surcharge. When they do, it will be noted on the product page.

 

Timing

We try to ship orders within three business days of receiving them. This applies to in-stock items. Framed items or items requiring personalization may take up to two weeks longer. If there is an extended delay, it will be noted on the product page.

We close for a week over Independence Day and Christmas. A notice will appear at the top of every page of the site in advance of this closure.

We ship most orders via USPS, so if the post office is closed, we won't be shipping orders that day.

If you need to receive your order by a certain date, such as to give as a gift or have for a trip, we recommend ordering at least two weeks in advance, especially if you are using USPS shipping. 

If you're looking for reliable, on-time deliveries, we strongly suggest upgrading to "UPS 3 Business Day Select Shipping."

Additional notes:

  • When fulfillment takes longer, such as around the Christmas holidays, we'll put up an announcement in the site and will list recommended shipping deadlines below.
  • If an item is out of stock, we will contact you.
  • If one of your items is an advance order, that will be noted on the product page along with an estimate of when it will ship. If that estimated date changes, the product page will be updated.

    Charges for shipping to destinations in the United States and to APO, DPO, and FPO addresses

    • Free shipping
      • On stickers, magnets, decals, patches, static clings, and individual button pins.

    • US Postal Service shipping - The least expensive, though also less reliable than UPS. (See more on UPS in the next section.) 

      • $5.95 for shirts, caps, unframed prints and posters, bracelets, lapel pins, pendants, button packs.

        Regardless of the number of items you order, the shipping price is still fixed at $5.95. Our flat rate shipping means you can add another t-shirt, cap, or book for no additional shipping charge.

      • $8.95 for hooded and crewneck sweatshirts, mugs, and blankets.

    We strongly recommend using UPS, especially in November and December.

      UPS 3 Business Day Select 

      Note: UPS 3 Business Day select is not available for addresses in Hawaii and Alaska. If UPS is selected for Hawaii or Alaska, the order will be shipped UPS Ground.

      Cut off time: Orders received by 8 am Eastern will ship the same business day.  Orders received after that time will ship the next business day. Applies to in-stock items that do not require personalization or signing. 
        UPS's normal (non-holiday) delivery guarantee is by the end of the third business day, and this includes delivery on Saturday.  This applies to the 48 contiguous states. 
          • $14.95 for shirts, caps, unframed prints and posters, bracelets, lapel pins, pendants, button packs.

          • $18.95 for hooded and crewneck sweatshirts, mugs, and blankets.

          • If the actual shipping cost is significantly higher than what we’re charging, we will contact you to discuss alternatives.

        • UPS Overnight (Next Business Day Delivery)
        Before placing your order, call 469-233-7712.

        For shipments to addresses outside the United States

        Destinations

        We only ship to locations that are served by US Postal Service International Service.

        Charges

        • Canada and Mexico

          • Rate starts at $40.00 for shirts, caps, unframed prints and posters, bracelets, lapel pins, pendants, button packs, hooded and crewneck sweatshirts, mugs, and blankets.
        • Rest of the World

          • Rates starts at $65.00.

        Additional charges for all destinations

        Some large, heavy items may have an additional shipping charge.  If that's the case, it will be noted on the product page.

        If the actual shipping cost is significantly higher than what we’re charging, we will contact you to discuss alternatives.

          All original designs are copyrighted by The History List

          All designs are copyrighted by The History List and the History Nerd text and design on t-shirts is a registered trademark. If you see a knock off, please let me know.

          Mission

          Your purchases support our mission to engage people with local history and to support historic sites and history organizations across the country.

          View full details

          Customer Reviews

          Based on 13 reviews
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          V
          Van S.
          Perfect gift for US history geeks

          The Dolley Madison totes are ideal for enthusiastic teachers or history buffs. The bags seem durable enough with straps for carrying by hand or over the shoulder. Plus the graphics are guaranteed discussion starters for folks who ask, “Dolley Who?”

          B
          Brenda K.
          Dolly Madison Tote

          Absolutely love the graphic designs on this tote, how fun to peek inside to see George Washington knowing how historical this act of patriotism was. Nice construction, a very sturdy tote. Overall I am extremely pleased with the quality and quick ship.

          L
          LM
          Dolly’s bag is a treasure!

          What a beautiful reminder of Dolley’s brilliant effort that saved the famous George Washington painting from ruin! This Christmas Gift was to my sister in law who told me about Dolley’s triumph over the British burning the capital. To put the portrait in the bag’s pocket was so clever. Your product quality is a great value; I love how hard you work to educate and keep history alive!!!

          J
          Jessica L.
          Fun Tote!

          Excellent quality (as is everything from The History List), and a fun idea! Love it.

          K
          Katrina D.
          Perfect Gift!

          My daughter is a Dolly Madison fan. This clever tote will give her a boost and a smile every time she uses it. A great gift for Christmas!

          R
          Rebecca
          So much fun!

          I love this bag! It's great quality, but I'm all about the graphics! It's so much fun to carry around ☺️

          E
          Ella
          Clever and sturdy!

          The bag is a generous size, and I love that there’s the painting of GW printed on the inside!

          C
          Chris H.
          A most inspirational bag!

          Prompt delivery, bag just as advertised. A great idea I want to share with friends. In fact, I gave my first one away already and must order again! Volume discount?