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Musical Treasures at the Smithsonian

From Louis Armstrong's trumpet to Grandmaster Flash's turntable and from a Central African harp to an Apache violin, these objects represent just a sampling of how music is collected, curated and studied at the Smithsonian. Explore these photographs, objects, and artifacts that help explain how music infuses our everyday life, brightening it with its sounds and beats.

  • Ensemble associated with Marian Anderson's 1939 Lincoln Memorial concert
  • Jacket and pants worn by MC Hammer in music video for "They Put Me in the Mix"
  • Pair of white and black Run-D.M.C. Superstar 80s sneakers made by Adidas

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  • "Fashion"
  • collection
    • National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection 3
    • Clothing-Costume 2
    • Clothing-Fashion 2
    • Cultural Expressions 1
    • Musical Crossroads 1
    • NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 050 1
    • NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 053 1
  • topic
    • Hip hop (Music) 2
    • Civil rights 1
    • Classical (Music) 1
    • Costume 1
    • Dance 1
  • culture
    • African Americans 3
  • place
    • North and Central America 2
    • United States 2
    • Asia 1
    • California 1
    • China 1
    • District of Columbia 1
    • Washington 1
  • date
    • 1930s 1
    • 1980s 1
    • 2010s 1

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