The Library of Congress, the oldest federal cultural institution in the United States, is currently hosting an exhibit titled “Collecting Memories” that features a diverse array of historical artifacts. The exhibit, which opened this week, aims to showcase the nation’s rich history and heritage through a curated selection of items that have been preserved by the library.
Carla Hayden, the Librarian of Congress, emphasized the significance of the exhibit in connecting people with their past. She stated, “What we want people to get from looking at just a sample, a small sample of the treasures of the Library of Congress, is these are their memories. These are their items. It is the nation’s library.” The exhibit serves as a reminder of the collective memory and identity of the American people, encapsulated in the objects and documents housed within the library’s walls.
One of the standout pieces in the exhibit is a handwritten draft of President Abraham Lincoln’s iconic Gettysburg Address from 1863. Accompanying this historic document is a rare photograph of Lincoln taken on the day he delivered the speech. Hayden noted the significance of this photo, stating, “That’s the only photo we have, or anybody has, of him at Gettysburg.” The exhibit also includes the contents of Lincoln’s pockets on the night he was assassinated, such as a pocket watch, two pairs of glasses, a handkerchief, and a billfold with his name.
In addition to Lincoln-related artifacts, the exhibit features a crystal flute that was saved by Dolly Madison when the White House was burned by the British in 1814. The flute gained renewed attention after pop star Lizzo visited the library and played it at one of her concerts in September 2022. Hayden shared the impact of Lizzo’s performance, stating, “After Ms. Lizzo played that flute, we had a teacher contact us and said, ‘I think there’ll be more children who want to play the flute after seeing that.’ It took off, and people said, ‘What else does the Library of Congress have?'”
With a collection of over 178 million items, the Library of Congress carefully selected just over 100 artifacts for the “Collecting Memories” exhibit. Among these prized possessions are Oscar Hammerstein’s “Do-Re-Mi” lyric sheet from “The Sound of Music,” original Spiderman drawings, designs from the Washington Monument and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and the sewing machine used to construct the AIDS Memorial quilt. Hayden expressed the library’s desire for these items to be accessible to all, stating, “These are the things that we want everyone to be able to see. You don’t have to be the president of the United States. You don’t have to be a visiting ambassador… You can see it, it’s free, and you can have that pinch-me moment.”
The exhibit serves as a celebration of American history and culture, offering visitors a glimpse into the past through a curated selection of artifacts that have shaped the nation’s identity. From presidential memorabilia to iconic pop culture items, the “Collecting Memories” exhibit at the Library of Congress invites individuals to connect with their heritage and appreciate the rich tapestry of the American experience.
