Smithsonian Institution Archives

Enola Gay Exhibition Records, 1987-1999

Summary

Collection ID:
SIA.FA14-212
Creators:
National Air and Space Museum
Dates:
1987-1999
Languages:
English
Physical Description:
1 cu. ft. (1 record storage box)
Repository:
Smithsonian Institution Archives

Descriptive Entry

Descriptive Entry
This accession consists of records created and maintained by Martin Harwit, Director of the National Air and Space Museum (NASM), 1987-1995, documenting plans to exhibit the "Enola Gay" and the resulting controversy. A script for "The Crossroads: The End of World War II, the Atomic Bomb and the Origins of the Cold War" was released for comment in January 1994. The exhibition was retitled "The Last Act: The Atomic Bomb and the End of World War II" and the script underwent several major revisions through January 1995. Each version of the script was met with controversy, particularly from veterans groups. On January 30, the exhibition was cancelled and Harwit resigned as Director on May 2, 1995. On June 28, 1995, "Enola Gay" was presented as a fact-based exhibition with little interpretation and significant emphasis on the aircraft's restoration. After his resignation, Harwit continued to collect clippings and journal articles related to the "Enola Gay" and its exhibition. In 1996, Harwit published the book "An Exhibit Denied: Lobbying the History of Enola Gay." Materials include correspondence, exhibition floor plans, Congressional hearing statement, articles, clippings, notes, brochures, and related materials. Some materials document projects and professional activities undertaken by Harwit after his resignation.

Administration

Author
Finding aid prepared by Smithsonian Institution Archives

Using the Collection

Prefered Citation
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Accession 14-212, National Air and Space Museum, Enola Gay Exhibition Records

More Information

Notes

SI Records


Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Harwit, Martin, 1931- Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Enola Gay (Bomber) Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
National Air and Space Museum (U.S.). Office of the Director Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Enola Gay (Exhibition) (1995-1998: Washington, D.C.) Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
The Crossroads: The End of World War II, the Atomic Bomb and the Origins of the Cold War (Proposed exhibition) Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
The Last Act: The Atomic Bomb and the End of World War II (Proposed exhibition) Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
An Exhibit Denied: Lobbying the History of Enola Gay (Monograph). 1996 Title Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Aeronautical museums Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Atomic bomb Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Exhibitions Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Legislative hearings -- United States Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Museum directors Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
World War, 1939-1945 Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Brochures Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Clippings Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Manuscripts Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Floor plans Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

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