The Smithsonian National Museum of American History's exhibit commemorating America's 250th anniversary, titled 'In Pursuit of Life, Liberty & Happiness,' features a greater number of items associated with liberal causes than conservative ones, according to a review of the exhibit's online catalog by Fox News Digital.
The exhibit aims to display 250 objects representing key moments in American history from the 1700s to the present. While it includes historically significant artifacts such as Abraham Lincoln’s hat and the desk on which the Declaration of Independence was written, the catalog also features items linked to modern liberal movements.
These include a "p-ssy hat" worn at the 2017 Women's March, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s gavel, monarch butterfly wings worn by an immigrant activist, and a typewriter belonging to writer Maya Angelou. The catalog also notes a photograph of a drag queen from the 1970s.
In contrast, the review found only seven items representing conservative movements. These include a MAGA hat, a Tea Party placard, a pro-life sign, a dress worn by former First Lady Melania Trump, a sign opposing the Equal Rights Amendment, a Ronald Reagan campaign T-shirt, and a National Rifle Association button.
Liberal causes, collectively represented by nearly two dozen items, include LGBT rights, farm-worker rights, abortion access, racial justice, environmentalism, labor unions, and the Democratic Party. The exhibit includes four items representing the gay rights movement and six items related to Christianity, such as church artifacts and a Bible. However, even these items are described with undertones of racial justice, with one noting a Black Presbyterian church pastor's activism and the Bible on display referencing the owner's anti-slavery sentiments.
Judaism is represented by a Seder plate and a Hanukkah lamp, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by a depiction of one of their temples. An artifact related to the LGBT movement is a tie that belonged to lesbian activist Carmen Vázquez, described in the exhibit notes as her "seduction necktie."
Recent immigration is highlighted with nearly two dozen items, including a soccer ball from the Fugees team for refugee children. Earlier immigrant groups like the Irish, French, and Italians are each represented by only one item.
Smithsonian National Museum of American History Director Anthea Hartig stated that the exhibit was curated to showcase "those moments where individuals or communities had fought for recognition and advocated for their own sense of identity and self in their role in creating and becoming a part of the United States."
The exhibit also includes items related to domestic life, technology, and pop culture, such as Star Wars props, currency, musical instruments, and sports memorabilia, including hockey gloves from the 1980 "miracle on ice" Olympic match.