'Mad Men' Donates Its Iconic Style to the Smithsonian
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Cigarettes and hard liquor may not be what immediately springs to mind at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, but that is exactly what was unveiled today in homage to the massively popular television series "Mad Men."
Now in its final season, the serial drama's creators at AMC cable network and Lionsgate have gone on a blitz of farewell events including screenings and speeches.
And now its antihero, actor Jon Hamm’s drinking and womanizing marketing executive Don Draper, will have his suit and other artifacts on display in the nation’s capital.
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It will be part of an exhibit that examines American business from the Founding Fathers up through the present day -- including the notorious marketing practices of the 1960’s that sets the backdrop for the show. The Smithsonian says "Mad Men" was specifically selected because of the series’ attention to detail from the time period -- much of the set uses actual antique items from the mid 20th century or recreates them in painstaking detail.
The items on display run from high culture to the mundane -- high-priced wristwatches and top shelf liquor stand next to toothbrushes, cartons of Lucky Strike cigarettes and a simple kitchen apron. It also revealed that the institution had been consulted by AMC in the recreation of some period items, including old telegraph printouts, although that scene was later cut.
"It is very hard to recreate even a moment from yesterday,” series creator Matthew Weiner said.
“I have always been interested in telling a story on the human scale, and this is the archaeological site of humanity from this period. We're glad that we saved these things and recreated these things because so much of it was thrown away. It was fun to try to recreate a check stub,” he added.
Hamm also attended alongside costars Christina Hendricks and John Slattery.
The Smithsonian’s “American Enterprise” exhibit will be opened to the public on July 1st. Mad Men will now be joining the likes of Sesame Street, Seinfeld, and All in the Family in its halls.
ABC’s Michelle Manzione contributed to this report.
