The Smithsonian's History of America in 101 Objects

The Smithsonian's History of America in 101 Objects by Richard Kurin. hardcover edition. ISBN: 9781594205293.

The Smithsonian Institution is Americas 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 Smithsonians 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 Lincolns hat to Dorothys ruby slippers and Julia Childs 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 Tubmans hymnal, Sitting Bulls ledger, Cesar Chavezs union jacket, and the Enola Gay bomber, tell difficult stories from the nations history, and inspire controversies when exhibited at the Smithsonian. Others, from George Washingtons sword to the space shuttle Discovery, celebrate the richness and vitality of the American spirit. In Kurins hands, each object comes to vivid life, providing a tactile connection to American history. Beautifully designed and illustrated with color photographs throughout, The Smithsonians History of America in 101 Objects is a rich and fascinating journey through Americas collective memory, and a beautiful object in its own right.