Dorothy’s ruby slippers, Abraham Lincoln's top hat and some of the stars of "Star Wars" will bunk with historic aircraft and spacecraft when the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History presents "Treasures of American History" at the National Air and Space Museum. Opening Nov. 17, the exhibition will feature more than 150 objects from the National Museum of American History’s collections while its building is closed for architectural renovation. The museum will be closed for renovation beginning Sept. 5 and is expected to reopen in summer 2008.
"The museum is thrilled that visitors will be able to see some of American History’s most treasured objects while our building is closed," said Brent D. Glass, director of the National Musem of American History. “Showcasing American History objects at Air and Space presents a unique and singular opportunity for visitors to see two diverse and extraordinary collections in one visit.”
"Treasures of American History" will feature an engaging mix of the famous, the familiar, and the unexpected from across the museum’s vast holdings. Joining Dorothy’s ruby slippers on view will be the rarely seen Scarecrow costume worn by Ray Bolger in "The Wizard of Oz," the compass used by Lewis and Clark during their journey across the Louisiana Territory, the lunch counter from Greensboro, N.C., where four African American students staged the first “sit-in” in 1960, Thomas Jefferson’s Bible, Thomas Edison’s lightbulb, General Custer’s buckskin jacket and Kermit the Frog. The exhibition will be divided into four sections: Creativity and Innovation, American Biography, National Challenges and American Identity. The exhibition will also feature a new acquisitions case that will allow the museum to showcase its ongoing collecting efforts.
"Treasures of American History" will be on view at the National Air and Space Museum flagship building in Washington, which is located on the National Mall at 6th and Independence Avenue S.W. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the fall. Admission is free.
Created by “Star Wars” filmmaker George Lucas, these two “droids,” used in "Return of the Jedi" are among the most famous of all science-fiction robots. The little R2-D2 is spunky and resourceful, while his companion, the more human-looking C-3PO, is a bit of a worrywart. Of course, both of these robots were really costumes with an actor inside. Both appeared in the "Treasures of American History" exhibition in 2006 at the National Air and Space Museum flagship building in Washington.
Objects owned by or associated with Abraham Lincoln quickly became relics, reminding Americans of Lincoln's greatness and challenging them to keep his ideals alive. One of the Smithsonian Institution's most treasured icons is the top hat worn by Lincoln to Ford's Theatre on the night of his assassination. The hat is displayed in the "Treasures of American History" exhibition at the National Air and Space Museum.