• Home
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Background
    • LHS In the News
    • Blog
  • Plan a Visit
    • Directions and Hours
    • Brennan Research Library
    • Diven's Den
    • Education
  • Exhibits/Events
    • Calendar of Events
    • Past Events
    • Special Events >
      • Gala
      • The McCeney March
      • Holiday Home Tour
      • Laurel Garden Tour
    • Exhibits
    • Past Exhibits
    • Online Exhibits >
      • Women's Suffrage Online Exhibit
  • Get Involved
    • Volunteer
    • Donations
    • Join or Renew
    • Annual Appeal
    • Donate to Our Collection
    • Brick Program
    • Genealogy Group
  • History/Research
    • History of Laurel
    • Collections
  • Laurel Museum Shop
  LAUREL HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Laurel Historical Society

Commissioner of Agriculture
1867-1871

Picture
Front of old Department of Agriculture Building. Developed during Horace Capron tenure. Library of Congress

PictureHorace Capron's Senate confirmation vote
Horace Capron was confirmed as Commissioner of Agriculture on November 27, 1867. His Maryland and Illinois political connections were vital to getting the job and his nomination took a while to get through Congress..

Agriculture was “the foundation interest of the country.”  There were 2.6 million farms.  Farmers were 53% of the labor force.  Between 75-79% of the country’s exports were farm products.

As Commissioner Capron oversaw areas ranging from the distribution of seeds, to exports, farm tool inventions to agricultural colleges, and farming experiments.

He also tried to cut some government waste by closing down a seed packing department…..
 
"...This involved the necessity of discharging a large number of employees—mostly females—a most disagreeable duty, particularly as most of them were protégés of members of Congress…"Horace Capron Autobiography, p 147.



Home
About us
Plan a visit
Events/programs/exhibits
get involved
history

Collections
SHOP

Site Map

  • TripAdvisor
Laurel Historical Society
817 Main Street
Laurel, MD  20707
301-725-7975
info@laurelhistoricalsociety.org

Laurel Museum Hours:
Friday - Sunday 12-4 pm
Research and Tour groups by appointment.
© COPYRIGHT 2015. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Background
    • LHS In the News
    • Blog
  • Plan a Visit
    • Directions and Hours
    • Brennan Research Library
    • Diven's Den
    • Education
  • Exhibits/Events
    • Calendar of Events
    • Past Events
    • Special Events >
      • Gala
      • The McCeney March
      • Holiday Home Tour
      • Laurel Garden Tour
    • Exhibits
    • Past Exhibits
    • Online Exhibits >
      • Women's Suffrage Online Exhibit
  • Get Involved
    • Volunteer
    • Donations
    • Join or Renew
    • Annual Appeal
    • Donate to Our Collection
    • Brick Program
    • Genealogy Group
  • History/Research
    • History of Laurel
    • Collections
  • Laurel Museum Shop