The Library of Congress in Washington D.C. has recently opened a new exhibit named 'Collecting Memories,' showcasing rare historical artifacts that have previously been hidden from the public. The exhibition, which is part of an initiative called 'A Library for You,' includes items such as President Abraham Lincoln's handwritten draft of the Gettysburg Address and his pockets from the night he was assassinated, a crystal flute saved by Dolly Madison during the White House fire in 1814, original Spiderman drawings, and designs from monuments like the Washington Monument and Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The exhibit also features items related to significant events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and J. Robert Oppenheimer's first test of the nuclear bomb. The Library of Congress holds over 178 million items in its collections, with plans for this exhibition dating back to 2019 when Congress approved a $60 million private-public partnership called 'Library for You.' Philanthropist David M. Rubenstein made a lead gift of $10 million to support the gallery, which is now named in his honor. The exhibit will run for 18 months before being replaced by an exhibit celebrating the United States Semiquincentennial ahead of the anniversary date on July 4, 2026.
