The Library of Congress is launching “Collective Memories,” an exhibit offering a glimpse at some of the most pivotal moments in American and world history.The exhibit features an original copy of the Gettysburg Address – the same version historians believe Abraham Lincoln used to deliver his historic speech. Other items on display include James Madison’s crystal flute, recordings of contemporary Native poets, audio diaries and art documenting the COVID-19 pandemic, Sigmund Freud’s papers on brain processes, Lewis and Clark’s map of Western America and the oral histories of veterans.They are some of the 100-plus artifacts chosen from the library’s 178-million item collection.Exhibit Director Cheryl Regan came out of retirement to bring the exhibit to life. “At its baseline, it tells us who we are,” Regan said. “And to know that Lincoln put pen to paper is pretty powerful.”The library hopes the exhibit helps visitors carve their own stories, too.”We have so many things that help people get lessons from history and to feel connected,” Librarian of Congress Dr. Carla Hayden said. “It’s a bridge for human knowledge and how human knowledge was translated.””The personal reactions and the wonder that these things can evoke is very individualistic,” Regan said.For those unable to visit in person, the Library has made a version of the exhibit accessible online.The exhibit’s items will be on rotation through December 2025.
The Library of Congress is launching “Collective Memories,” an exhibit offering a glimpse at some of the most pivotal moments in American and world history.
The exhibit features an original copy of the Gettysburg Address – the same version historians believe Abraham Lincoln used to deliver his historic speech.
Other items on display include James Madison’s crystal flute, recordings of contemporary Native poets, audio diaries and art documenting the COVID-19 pandemic, Sigmund Freud’s papers on brain processes, Lewis and Clark’s map of Western America and the oral histories of veterans.
They are some of the 100-plus artifacts chosen from the library’s 178-million item collection.
Exhibit Director Cheryl Regan came out of retirement to bring the exhibit to life.
“At its baseline, it tells us who we are,” Regan said. “And to know that Lincoln put pen to paper is pretty powerful.”
The library hopes the exhibit helps visitors carve their own stories, too.
“We have so many things that help people get lessons from history and to feel connected,” Librarian of Congress Dr. Carla Hayden said. “It’s a bridge for human knowledge and how human knowledge was translated.”
“The personal reactions and the wonder that these things can evoke is very individualistic,” Regan said.
For those unable to visit in person, the Library has made a version of the exhibit accessible online.
The exhibit’s items will be on rotation through December 2025.
