Longtime Bristol resident and July 4th Committee volunteer Nina McCarthy loves the Fourth — and she’s been collecting the commemorative buttons since they first came out in 1989.

The first three editions were identical in design and created by the committee, but in the early 1990s it was decided to make the button design an art contest for the children of Bristol.

McCarthy’s collection has grown every year since then, but after the holiday she would tuck that year’s button in a Ziploc bag and not look at them again until it was time to add to the collection. Then her husband Pat came up with an idea for a surprise for Nina’s last birthday.

Along with her friend Sara Jane Soboleski, they spirited the bag of buttons out of its hiding place and, in collaboration with Patty McCobb of Allerton Framing, designed this display case.

“I’ve always loved the buttons,” said McCarthy. “And you know, every year as a Bristolian, you have to get a button.”

“It came out beautifully,” said Pat. “And it’s one of a kind.”