Exhibitions
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In Memoriam: Aretha Franklin
August 17, 2018 – August 22, 2018Portrait GalleryThe Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery recognizes the life of acclaimed singer and musician Aretha Franklin.
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The Case of Luisa Moreno
July 20, 2018 – April 30, 2019American History MuseumThe display features objects representing Moreno’s work as a civil rights activist and labor organizer with union pins as well as her shawl and a pamphlet to rally national attention and halt Moreno’s deportation.
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Special Olympics at 50
July 10, 2018 – October 17, 2021American History MuseumCommemorate the 50th anniversary of the first International Special Olympics Games through the stories of four accomplished athletes who participated in them.
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Henrietta Lacks
May 15, 2018 – March 31, 2019Portrait GalleryThe Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery recognizes the life of Henrietta Lacks with the installation of a 2017 portrait by Kadir Nelson.
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In Memoriam: Barbara Bush
April 18, 2018 – April 29, 2018Portrait GalleryThe Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery recognizes the life of Barbara Bush with a photograph by Diana Walker taken in 1989.
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In Her Words: Women's Duty and Service in World War I
February 2, 2018 – September 5, 2018Postal MuseumThrough the letters and artifacts of four women, visitors can explore unique, personal perspectives on life, duty, and service during the war.
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In Memoriam: Mathilde Krim
January 22, 2018 – February 22, 2018Portrait GalleryThe Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery recognizes the life and accomplishments of AIDS research pioneer Dr. Mathilde Krim with a photograph by Annie Leibovitz.
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One Life: Sylvia Plath
June 30, 2017 – May 20, 2018Portrait GalleryThe exhibition reveals how Plath shaped her identity visually as she came of age as a writer in the 1950s. Visitors will get a look into Plath’s personal life and her dualistic nature.
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Marlene Dietrich: Dressed for the Image
June 16, 2017 – April 15, 2018Portrait GalleryThe biggest Hollywood star at a time when “talkies” were still new, Dietrich captured men’s hearts and women’s admiration on screen and off.
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Celebrate: Ella Fitzgerald
April 13, 2017 – May 14, 2017Portrait GalleryApril 25 marks the 100th birthday of American jazz and popular song vocalist Ella Fitzgerald. The museum is recognizing the anniversary by displaying her photograph by William Gottlieb for the first time in the museum.
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Uniformed Women in the Great War
April 6, 2017 – April 28, 2019American History MuseumSelection of World War I uniforms on display highlighting the varied roles of uniformed women that allowed them to express their patriotism.
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The First Lady of Song: Ella Fitzgerald at 100
April 1, 2017 – July 15, 2018American History MuseumHighlighting Ella Fitzgerald (1917-1996), one of the greatest American singers.
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Althea Gibson
June 3, 2016 – June 5, 2016Portrait GallerySmithsonianmag.com voters choose between portraits of Gibson, Eleanor Holm and Helene Madison, and Duke Kahanamoku to go on view. Gibson’s photograph received the most votes.
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One Life: Dolores Huerta
July 3, 2015 – May 15, 2016Portrait GalleryOne Life: Dolores Huerta highlights the significant role of this Latina leader in the California farm workers movement of the 1960s and 70s.
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A Room of Her Own: My Mother's Altar, an installation by Sandra Cisneros
October 31, 2014 – September 7, 2015American History MuseumAcclaimed author Sandra Cisneros has created an installation in the tradition of "Dia de Muertos" to honor her mother, Elvira Cordero Cisneros.
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Cupcake Katy
June 18, 2014 – July 6, 2014Portrait GalleryOn view is a portrait of pop singer Katy Perry by distinguished New York academic portrait painter Will Cotton.
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In Memoriam: Maya Angelou
May 29, 2014 – June 12, 2014Portrait GallerySee a portrait of writer, poet, and activist Maya Angelou (1928-1914) by painter Ross Rossin.
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Marian Anderson: Artist and Symbol
April 8, 2014 – November 11, 2014American History MuseumSee Marian Anderson's orange-and-black velvet ensemble, which she wore during her historic Easter Sunday performance on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on April 9,1939.
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Camilla's Purse
January 24, 2014 – May 4, 2014American History MuseumSee what Holocaust survivor Camilla (Mia) Klaber Gottlieb carried in her purse to preserve her memories before, during, and after World War II.
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The National Woman Suffrage Parade, 1913
February 28, 2013 – December 2, 2013American History MuseumLearn about the impact of the 1913 women's suffrage march in Washington, DC, the first civil rights parade to use the nation's capital as a backdrop.
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