The Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington DC is marking the semiquincentennial of US independence with a major exhibition titled 'In Pursuit of Life, Liberty & Happiness,' featuring 250 objects that tell the American story. Opening on 14 May, the exhibition spans all three floors of the museum, encompassing 250,000 square feet.
A Diverse Collection
The objects range from a revolutionary war-era gunboat to gloves worn by a 'Miracle on Ice' hockey player, from Thomas Jefferson's desk to a Donald Trump fan's 'Make America great again' hat. 'We have something for everybody,' said Anthea Hartig, the museum's director. 'That's the beauty of the museum and the 250 objects.'
Highlight: The Philadelphia Gunboat
Among the star attractions is the Philadelphia, a 53-foot flat-bottomed wooden gunboat constructed in the summer of 1776. It was part of a desperate attempt to stall British forces on Lake Champlain and sank during the Battle of Valcour Island. The wreck was raised in 1935 and is now undergoing conservation. Lead conservator Peter Fix of Texas A&M University notes that the preserved material will last 'at least another thousand years' thanks to groundbreaking engineering science.
Objects of Daily Life and Innovation
The exhibition also includes a faux-pearl necklace worn by Abigail Adams, a 1970 Earth Day flag, a steelworker's hard hat from 9/11, and a Nintendo console. A massive filing cabinet containing over 52,000 handwritten jokes from comedian Phyllis Diller is also on display. 'To have her whole career in a humdrum file cabinet is pretty amazing,' said Megan Howell Smith, the museum's head of experience development.
Confronting Difficult History
The exhibition does not shy away from brutal chapters, including the Greensboro lunch counter from the 1960 civil rights sit-ins and a deck of playing cards crafted by a Freedom Rider in Mississippi's Parchman prison. Curators have intentionally placed objects in conversation, such as two wedding cake toppers: one from 1957 and another from 2008 featuring two men.
Political Context
Since returning to office, President Trump has accused the Smithsonian of presenting an unduly negative version of US history. Hartig maintains that the museum's work is 'scholarly grounded' and that they have 'something for everybody.' The exhibition runs through 2026, aligning with the nation's 250th anniversary celebrations.
