The 10 most-read posts of 2017

By Jordan Grant
Collage of images taken from various blog posts, from photos of gowns to a portrait of a soldier in World War 1

2017 was another incredible year on the museum’s blog. More than a few of our most-read posts focused on how the museum continues to grow with new exhibitions, new staff, and new collections. However, none of this work would have been possible without all of you, our readers. Several of the year’s most popular stories were about projects that depended on public participation—everything from transcribing jokes in Phyllis Diller’s gag file to donating money to conserve the Ruby Slippers. We can never say it enough: thank you all for making our work possible!

1. Help us transcribe Phyllis Diller's jokes—and enjoy some laughs along the way!

We asked, and you answered! In 2017, digital volunteers from around the world helped the museum transcribe all 52,569 notecards in Phyllis Diller’s gag file—a 51-drawer card catalog in which the legendary comedian kept her jokes meticulously organized. The jokes are now fully searchable through the Smithsonian Transcription Center’s website, giving us a whole new window into the history of American comedy.

A view from the front of a large, medium brown file cabinet comprising many smaller drawers with labels on the outside. The bust of a woman with short hair sits on top and is flanked by two vinyl album covers portraying a woman with light colored hair

2. Who tells Eliza's story? Philanthropy and Hamilton: An American Musical

One of this year’s highlights was the donation of two objects that connect over 200 years of philanthropy history. The first: a portrait of Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton that once hung in the orphanage she helped found and lead. The second: a green suit from the Broadway hit Hamilton: An American Musical. Designed by Tony award-winning costume designer Paul Tazewell, Lin-Manuel Miranda wears the suit as Alexander Hamilton in the musical’s second act. The cast and crew of Hamilton not only sang about philanthropy, but supported the organization Eliza Hamilton helped found. (Sidenote for Hamilton fans: the suit will briefly be on display at the museum starting March 22, 2018, through late spring.)

The green suit Lin-Manuel Miranda wore as Hamilton stands in front of a portrait of Eliza Hamilton.

3. The continuing tradition: The Smithsonian receives Mrs. Trump's inaugural gown

In October, curator Lisa Kathleen Graddy used the occasion of the museum collecting First Lady Melania Trump’s 2017 inaugural ball gown to look back at the history of the museum’s First Ladies exhibition—how it began and how it continues to change.

Photo of white gown in front of black background. It's off-the-shoulder with a cross-body sash in front along with red/maroon tie at waist. Narrow silhouette and slit cascading on one side. Glossy and matte fabric in subtle layers.

4. While the Ruby Slippers step out, two swashbuckling props step in

Last year, people from around the world helped the museum raise money to conserve the Ruby Slippers. This year, the slippers went off display so that they could undergo an in-depth conservation assessment and treatment before being placed in a new state-of-the-art case—work that will keep the Ruby Slippers sparkling for generations to come. In the meantime, the slippers’ usual spot in the museum is being filled with two other iconic objects from film history, Indiana Jones’s bullwhip and hat.

Brown fedora

5. 10 things to know about exhibition installation

New exhibitions at our museum take years to plan and build, and much of the work is done behind the scenes. If you’ve ever wondered what goes into installing an exhibition, look no further than this post.

Two images. In both, a museum staff member stands on a step ladder, leaning to the side in order to adjust the placement of a campaign torch topper on a pole.

6. Contemporary collecting: Creepy costumes and props from The Walking Dead join our collection

Look out—there’s a zombie in our collections! This fall, the museum collected a group of objects from the hit TV show The Walking Dead. This post gives readers a quick (if somewhat gruesome) tour through what was collected, which ranged from a costume katana to a fake severed head.

Zombie prop with open mouth and bloodshot eyes

7. The day I decided not to collect: A curator's view of Ground Zero

In this poignant post, curator Jane Rogers reflected on visiting Ground Zero in New York City just a month after the terrorist attacks of 9/11. Although she chose not to collect any materials from the hundreds of workers and rescue personnel she saw, Rogers did document her visit with her camera. Today, her photos and recollections provide us an additional perspective on one of our nation’s greatest tragedies.

Photograph of workers working in rubble at World Trade Center. Smoke rises in the background.

8. Looking back on M*A*S*H, the show and the exhibition

2017 was the 45th anniversary of the debut of M*A*S*H, one of the most influential shows in television history. Volunteer Lucy Harvey’s post looked back on how many artifacts from the show became part of the museum’s collection, as well as how an exhibition about M*A*S*H brought record-breaking crowds to the museum.

Prop tent with artifacts on display in the museum beside direction sign

9. Three questions for a brewing historian

This year, Theresa McCulla became the museum’s new brewing historian. As part of the our ongoing American Brewing History Initiative, McCulla will be leading our efforts to collect, document, and preserve the history of brewing, craft brewers, and the beer industry. If you’ve ever wondered what beer can tell us about American history, read this interview!

A color portrait of a woman in a coral shirt and dark blazer. She sits outside.

10. Over There: A Buffalo Soldier in World War I

As the museum commemorates the 100th anniversary of World War I, we looked back at the life and military career of Corporal Benjamin Blayton, who served in the U.S. Army as part of the 365th Infantry Regiment, 92nd Division “Buffalo Soldiers.” During the war, prejudices of the era prevented most African American units from participating in combat with the American or British forces. However, a few units, including the 92nd, served in combat with the French Army. Blayton served in France from June 1918 until February 1919, and he was later awarded the World War I Victory Medal with Meuse-Argonne and Defensive Sector battle clasps for his service.

Black and white photo of an African American man in military uniform. His arms are gently crossed, a watch o his wrist. His head is slightly tilted to the right, with a serious but gentle look on his face. The uniform has pockets, buttons, and a fairly hi

Jordan Grant is a Digital Experience assistant in the museum’s Office of Audience Engagement. One of his favorite blog posts this year was Claire Jerry’s reflection on one of the least-populated genres in American letters: the presidential inaugural address.