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"The Smithsonian's History Of America In 101 Objects"

Dr. Richard Kurin, Smithsonian Institution Under Secretary for History, Art and Culture, is in Pierre at the Capitol Lake Visitors Center for a presentation at 7 p.m. Monday, May 5 to promote his new book, "The Smithsonian's History of America in 101 Objects." Ranging from the earliest years of the pre-Columbian continent to the digital age, and from the American Revolution to Vietnam, each entry pairs the fascinating history surrounding each object with the story of its creation or discovery and the place it has come to occupy in our national memory. Kurin sheds remarkable new light on objects we think we know well, from Lincoln's hat to Dorothy's ruby slippers and Julia Child's kitchen, including the often astonishing tales of how each made its way into the collections of the Smithsonian. Other objects will be eye-opening new discoveries for many, but no less evocative of the most poignant and important moments of the American experience. People will also have the opportunity to view the presentation live on their home computers thanks to SDPB-TV by visiting www.sdpb.org/live on May 5 at 7 p.m. Dr. Kurin joined Dakota Midday to discuss the objects in the Smithsonian collection.