<p>Coal has a deep and contentious history in the United States. For generations, coal mining has been at the forefront of economic growth and recession; debates about clean energy; concerns for economic and health disparities; and ecospiritualism. Miners themselves, though, were not often invited to the legislative floor to share their actual experiences. Many miners have a complicated connection to coal. As coal supplies dwindle in the mountains, coal towns seek new economic direction (and a new sense of purpose) in the 21st century. <br><br>This collection highlights some of the everyday moments in America's coal mining history. </p>

<p>Over time, countless items end up forgotten in landfills across the globe. Companies might refer to a product's lifespan as "cradle to grave," AKA assembly line to garbage dump. As new technologies develop, older technologies are replaced. However, are all of these outdated or damaged items fated to the landfill? Or can we find new appreciation (and new, useful purposes) for our "obsolete" items? This collection celebrates the beauty of degradation. An antique dish might be "obsolete" if it's broken, but the shards can still teach us about where that dish came from, the ceramics artist who may have made it, and the person who may have used it. Rust, rips, tears, and fractures can add extra layers of meaning (and beauty) to an item's story.</p>

<p>Body hair and grooming are closely tied to beauty norms and material cultures. There is no one way to shave -- there are different shaving aesthetics and supplies. Some people shave alone in their home: a solitary self-care activity. For others, shaving might be a chore. Many people use shaving as a way to build community: visiting a barber shop, shaving a lover's face, etc. <br><br>These everyday moments of self-grooming also help with self-making as people can shape the face that they want to show the world. This celebration includes razors, shaving cups, brushes, and images of shaving in diverse contexts. </p>

<p>Tarot has roots in Italian card games. The "Minchiate" imagery has since inspired generations of fortune-tellers and artists. In 1967, the Massachusetts-based Linweave Paper Co. published a groovy tarot deck. The Linweave deck is a unique and colorful adaptation of traditional Italian playing cards. In this collection, you can compare and contrast the Minchiate and Linweave styles to see how tarot iconography has changed (and stayed the same) over time. </p>

<p>This collection depicts the development of birth control and condom branding throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. The popularity of "The Pill" and condoms created niche new markets for American consumers. Changing aesthetics and social events left their mark on pill cases, PSA flyers and buttons, scented or flavored condoms, and satirical novelty products. </p>

<p>Lockets combine sentiment with practicality. Someone can wear a locket necklace or pin to keep a portrait of their loved one close to their heart. Lockets can also provide a discrete, fashionable way to frame a lock of hair, treasured image, or other important messages. </p>

<p>Magnifying glasses are an important tool in museum studies. Conservationists, preservationists, and critics use magnifying glasses to hone in on the meticulous, small elements that build a piece of art: the textures of brush strokes, the tiny leaves on a tree in the background of a landscape painting, etc. But sometimes, magnifying glasses can be pieces of art themselves. This collection features magnifying glasses enhanced with hand-stitched leather sleeves, wrought silver, carved ivory, and polished wood (among other beautiful materials). These artifacts are intricately crafted with fine details that combine form and function. </p>

<p>Few images are more visceral than a dog baring its fangs or a person gritting their teeth. Teeth are the entry to the body, and they are some of the only visible bones in many mammals' bodies. Teeth show the wear and tear of our bodies as we bite our way (metaphorically and literally) through life. Teeth can help a creature smile, make noise to communicate, attack, eat, and survive. This collection demonstrates how fangs and teeth have inspired American artists to tackle questions of mortality, consumption, emotion, identity, and human vs. animal instincts. </p>

<p>About one month after becoming First Lady, Betty Ford was diagnosed with breast cancer. A year later, Ford had survived and was thriving as a leader and a health advocate. Ford gave speeches to the American Cancer Society about the taboo of breast cancer. She helped kick off America's first celebrations of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Throughout her tenure as First Lady, Ford pushed for the ERA -- legislation that could have helped shield women from sexist medical discrimination. <br><br>These artifacts honor Betty Ford's rich legacy in and beyond the White House. </p>

<p>In the 21st century, self-defense classes and products make up a multi-billion-dollar industry. But what tools have American women used to defend themselves from potential harassers or robbers? This exhibit chronicles some accessories that were more than a fashion statement. For hundreds of years, American women have used hat pins, hair pins, and umbrellas for self-defense. While many fashion designers did not have been originally design these accessories for self-defense, some women purposely selected hair and hat pins with sharp ends that they could use as makeshift daggers. Other women sought out umbrellas or parasols that had thick, baton-like handles made of bone, wood, or metal. The specific items in this exhibit may or may not have been used for these self-defense purposes. However, their sturdy construction and fashionable aesthetics demonstrate the form and function that many women sought for their self-defense fashions. </p>

<p>Quilts blend practicality with beauty. These textiles demonstrate a democratic form of artistic expression since many quilts were (and are) created by working-class folks. Sewers stitch together fabric scraps into dynamic and intricate patterns. Different patterns of quilts can teach us about different aesthetic values and social movements. For example, suffragettes and prohibitionists both made quilt patterns to advocate for their causes. The AIDS Memorial Quilt honors the memory of thousands of people who died from HIV/AIDS. As you read through this collection, consider these questions: What textures and fabrics are in the quilt? Are there repeating patterns? Has the quilt been mended or repaired over time? What might that quilt teach us about a family's or community's history? </p>

<p>Dolly Parton is a cultural icon who has addressed stereotypes about blondes, Appalachians, and ambitious women. The singer helped popularize bluegrass music for an international audience, and many listeners are struck by her rags-to-riches story. <br><br>Dolly Parton has left her mark on America's music scene, and she's also left her mark in the Smithsonian. <br><br>The collection chronicles Dolly Parton's career and cultural influence. But the collection also curates items that Parton never actually touched, like specific songs, musical instruments, and pottery shards. These dulcimers, baskets, and pottery shards can help us better understand Dolly Parton's story because these artifacts provide insight into the music and folk arts that are popular in Parton's hometown. </p>