WHAT: The Ruby Slippers will be taken off view from the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History to appear in the "Hollywood Costume" exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London
WHEN: Tuesday, Oct. 9
9:30 a.m.
WHERE: National Museum of American History
14th Street and Madison Drive N.W.
Note: Enter via Madison Drive entrance
WHO: Dwight Blocker Bowers, curator, National Museum of American History
The National Museum of American History will remove the Ruby Slippers worn by 16-year-old Judy Garland during the filming of The Wizard of Oz from display to prepare them for their first international trip to a museum in London. The Ruby Slippers are one of the museum's most popular and treasured artifacts. They will be removed from their case in the "American Stories" exhibition to be part of the special exhibition "Hollywood Costume" at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
The Ruby Slippers will be off view for six weeks, from Oct. 9 through Nov. 20, serving as international ambassadors for American popular culture. During that time, the museum will announce new acquisitions for its Popular Culture collection.
The Ruby Slippers will be home for the holidays, returning to public view at the Smithsonian Nov. 21.
CONTACT: Melinda Machado (202) 633-3129, machadom@si.edu, Laura Duff, (202) 633-3129, duffl@si.edu
Media website: http://newsdesk.si.edu
/PRNewswire-USNewswire -- Oct. 3, 2012/
SOURCE Smithsonian's National Museum of American History