1974 US Figure Skating Pin: Lighting the Way.

Last Updated on August 10, 2024 by Netropolitan Museum

Providence, Rhode Island, hosted the national championships for the second time

Rhode Island, the smallest state in the union, evokes images of America’s elite “summering” in opulent mansions (charmingly referred to as “cottages”) along fashionable Bellevue Avenue in Newport. This was the place to be seen at the turn of the 20th century, featuring big names: Vanderbilt, Astor, and Levinson. Fast forward more than 70 years, and the state’s capital, Providence, just a 30-mile drive north of Newport, was the stage for the 1974 US Figure Skating Championships at the then-brand-new Civic Center. Think big names here, too: Hamill, McKellen, O’Connor and Millns, and Militano and Johns. The 1974 US Figure Skating Championships pin also goes big to incorporate one of Rhode Island’s most iconic symbols: the lighthouse.

Pin Gallery: 1974 US Figure Skating Championships

With 21 active lighthouses still guiding mariners through Rhode Island’s coastal waters, the pin’s design pays homage to an important part of the state’s heritage. Whether the silhouette on the pin represents a specific lighthouse or a general one is not known, but its 1970s origin is unmistakable. Crafted on a silver-color base metal, the pin boasts deep red and blue hues, evoking a patriotic spirit that was prevalent in mid-1970s designs. The vibrant colors and the contrasting base metal are striking.

Around the top of the pin is the event name, “United States Nationals,” a informal term used until the late 1980s in place of the more formal “U.S. Figure Skating Championships.” At the heart of the pin is the lighthouse, with a skate blade below, making it instantly recognizable which sport the pin commemorates. The lighthouse beacon shines brightly with “74” superimposed over it, and along the bottom edge the location is displayed: “Providence R.I.”

The 1974 US Figure Skating Championships pin is silk-screened, a delicate technique that, while providing a smooth, sleek surface, is highly susceptible to scratches and damage. This method, used for its modern and polished look, is rare among figure skating championships pins. Notably, other early U.S. Championships pins that are silk-screened include 1970 Tulsa and 1978 Portland (Oregon).

This blog was originally published at The Netropolitan Museum of Figure Skating Pins on November 7, 2020, and has been updated with new and expanded information.

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