Artifact Details

Title

The Smithsonian's History of America in 101 Objects : author Richard Kurin in conversation with museum CEO John Hollar

Catalog Number

102746818

Type

Moving image

Description

Event abstract:

The Smithsonian Institution is America's largest, most important, and most beloved repository for the objects that define our common heritage. Now Under Secretary for Art, History, and Culture Richard Kurin, aided by a team of top Smithsonian curators and scholars, has assembled a literary exhibition of 101 objects from across the Smithsonian's museums that together offer a marvelous new perspective on the history of the United States.

Ranging from the earliest years of the pre-Columbian continent to the Digital Age, and from the American Revolution to Vietnam, each entry pairs the fascinating history surrounding each object with the story of its creation or discovery and the place it has come to occupy in our national memory. Kurin sheds remarkable new light on objects we think we know well, from Lincoln's hat to Dorothy's ruby slippers and Julia Child's kitchen, including the often astonishing tales of how each made its way into the collections of the Smithsonian. Other objects will be eye-opening new discoveries for many, but no less evocative of the most poignant and important moments of the American experience. Some objects, such as Harriet Tubman's hymnal, Sitting Bull's ledger, Cesar Chavez's union jacket, and the Enola Gay bomber, tell difficult stories from the nation's history, and inspire controversies when exhibited at the Smithsonian. Others, from George Washington's sword to the space shuttle Discovery, celebrate the richness and vitality of the American spirit. In Kurin's hands, each object comes to vivid life, providing a tactile connection to American history.

Please join Museum CEO John Hollar as he moderates a conversation with Dr. Kurin about this remarkable book.

We are very pleased that Kepler's Books will be onsite selling copies of Dr. Kurin's book before and after the program.

Watch this event on the Computer History Museum's YouTube channel.

Date

2013-11-18

Participants

Hollar, John C., Moderator
Kurin, Richard, Speaker

Publisher

Computer History Museum

Place of Publication

Mountain View, California

Duration

01:10:21

Format

MOV

Copyright Holder

Computer History Museum

Category

Lecture; Sponsored

Collection Title

CHM Lecture Collection

Credit

Computer History Museum

Lot Number

X7025.2014