Hidden treasures at the Library of Congress, revealed
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A display case for treasures is lifted into the Library of Congress. Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress
Historical treasures, many previously hidden in the Library of Congress' vast vaults, will be on display as part of a new exhibition starting June 13.
Why it matters: The Library of Congress holds over 178 million items in its collections, and thanks to a $10 million donation from philanthropist David Rubenstein, some of its most precious pieces will be displayed in a new gallery.
Zoom in: The "Collecting Memories" exhibit, which will run through 2025, launches with over 120 American and international items that explore how culture preserves memory. Highlights include:
- President Abraham Lincoln's handwritten Gettysburg Address, and separately, the personal contents of his pockets on the night he was assassinated in 1865.
- Original sketches of the Washington Monument and Vietnam War Memorial.
- Photographs and writings from the AIDS Memorial Quilt archive.
- James Madison's crystal flute, played more recently by Lizzo.
The intrigue: State-of-the-art display cases were designed for the treasures in Italy — and transported in by massive cranes.
Details: The multimedia collection will rotate and be on exhibit at the David M. Rubenstein Treasures Gallery through December 2025. Free, timed-entry tickets are required.