Press Release

Richard Kurin Lecture

DENVER — History Colorado will host Dr. Richard Kurin, the Smithsonian’s Under Secretary for History, Art, and Culture, for a presentation and book signing of his most recent work, The Smithsonian’s History of America in 101 Objects.

Dr. Kurin’s lecture will be at the History Colorado Center, a Smithsonian Affiliate, on Tuesday, June 17 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in advance at HistoryColoradoCenter.org.

How did Kurin define the story of the nation in just 101 objects? “Narrowing down the list from millions of objects to 101 was a challenge,” said Kurin. “But using objects to tell the story of the nation presented a great opportunity. Rather than learning history by memorizing names and dates, objects have a way of conveying historical times and events in a dramatic but tangible way.”

The Smithsonian houses the world’s largest collection of museum objects—137 million items, as well as more than 20 million images and recordings, and tens of millions of archival documents. Published in 2013, the 762-page book chronicles America from prehistoric times to the present-through national treasures found in the Smithsonian's vast collections. 

"The book tries to capture the experience of visiting a treasured object in a museum with enough information about historical context and significance so as to inspire learning and curiosity in everyone," he said.

Kurin finds commonalities in how Martha, the last passenger pigeon, a fragment from Plymouth Rock and Julia Child’s Kitchen help to tell the story of America. Beginning 500 million years ago with fossils and archaeological objects, Kurin moves to the American Revolution, the Civil War, the Industrial Revolution and artifacts of the Depression, World War II and Cold War eras. Kurin also chose icons of pop culture (Kermit the Frog and Chuck Berry’s guitar), the civil rights movement (the Greensboro lunch counter), and items that now symbolize the digital age and the first years of the new millennium.

Objects like George Washington’s portrait, the Star-Spangled Banner, Abraham Lincoln’s hat, the Wright Brothers’ Kitty Hawk Flyer, Dorothy’s ruby red slippers from The Wizard of Oz and Neil Armstrong’s space suit are well-known icons to Smithsonian visitors. Other objects are unexpected, such as Harriet Tubman’s hymnal, Sitting Bull’s drawing book, the bakelizer that cooked the first plastic and Jonas Salk’s polio vaccine.

Trained as a cultural anthropologist, Dr. Kurin is a former Fulbright Fellow who earned his doctorate from the University of Chicago. Prior to becoming the Smithsonian's Under Secretary, Dr. Kurin directed the Smithsonian's Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. Dr. Kurin is the author of several books, including Hope Diamond: The Legendary History of a Cursed Gem.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.HistoryColoradoCenter.org in advance or call (303) 866-3683 for more information.

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History Colorado's mission is to inspire generations to find wonder and meaning in our past and to engage in creating a better Colorado. We serve as the state's memory, preserving the places, stories, and material culture of Colorado through our museums, educational programs, historic preservation grants, research library, collections, and outreach to Colorado communities. Find History Colorado on all major social media platforms. Visit HistoryColorado.org or call (303) HISTORY for more information.

Media Contact:
Rebecca Laurie, PR Director
(303) 866-3670
rebecca.laurie@state.co.us