The Facts
In May 1976, '1 876: A Centennial Exhibition' opened at the Arts and Industries Building in Washington, D.C. The exhibition recreated the Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition of 1876, part of the U.S. bicentennial celebrations. The National Air and Space Museum also opened on July 1, 1976, as another major bicentennial project. The press release from the Hirshhorn Museum lists these events alongside other 1976 milestones, including the founding of Apple Computer and the presidential election.
The Signal
The exhibition reflects a period of heightened national commemoration, with museums and institutions using the bicentennial to revisit historical milestones. For collectors and curators, such recreations highlight how museums leverage anniversaries to contextualize art and technology within broader cultural narratives. The Hirshhorn's inclusion of this exhibition in its press materials suggests an ongoing interest in the intersection of art, history, and national identity.
- Museums: Hirshhorn Museum, Arts and Industries Building, National Air and Space Museum
- Locations: Washington, D.C.
The Morning Signal · Daily
Get stories like this in your inbox
The art world in one daily email — auctions, openings, and acquisitions from 90+ primary sources, distilled into a five-minute read. Independent — no marketplace, no gallery ads.
Join collectors, dealers & curators
No spam · free every morning · unsubscribe anytime
The Jobs Digest · Weekly
New art-world jobs, every Monday
The Jobs Digest rounds up the week’s new museum, gallery, and auction-house openings — with salary when disclosed. One email a week, unsubscribe anytime.
