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Finding Aids to Official Records of the Smithsonian Institution Archives

Accession 14-212

National Air and Space Museum

Enola Gay Exhibition Records, 1987-1999

Repository:Smithsonian Institution Archives, Washington, D.C. Contact us at osiaref@si.edu.
Creator:National Air and Space Museum
Title:Enola Gay Exhibition Records
Dates:1987-1999
Quantity:1 cu. ft. (1 record storage box)
Collection:Accession 14-212
Language of Materials:English
Summary:

This accession consists of records created and maintained by Martin Harwit, Director of the National Air and Space Museum (NASM), 1987-1995, documenting plans to exhibit the "Enola Gay" and the resulting controversy. A script for "The Crossroads: The End of World War II, the Atomic Bomb and the Origins of the Cold War" was released for comment in January 1994. The exhibition was retitled "The Last Act: The Atomic Bomb and the End of World War II" and the script underwent several major revisions through January 1995. Each version of the script was met with controversy, particularly from veterans groups. On January 30, the exhibition was cancelled and Harwit resigned as Director on May 2, 1995. On June 28, 1995, "Enola Gay" was presented as a fact-based exhibition with little interpretation and significant emphasis on the aircraft's restoration. After his resignation, Harwit continued to collect clippings and journal articles related to the "Enola Gay" and its exhibition. In 1996, Harwit published the book "An Exhibit Denied: Lobbying the History of Enola Gay." Materials include correspondence, exhibition floor plans, Congressional hearing statement, articles, clippings, notes, brochures, and related materials. Some materials document projects and professional activities undertaken by Harwit after his resignation.

Descriptive Entry

This accession consists of records created and maintained by Martin Harwit, Director of the National Air and Space Museum (NASM), 1987-1995, documenting plans to exhibit the "Enola Gay" and the resulting controversy. A script for "The Crossroads: The End of World War II, the Atomic Bomb and the Origins of the Cold War" was released for comment in January 1994. The exhibition was retitled "The Last Act: The Atomic Bomb and the End of World War II" and the script underwent several major revisions through January 1995. Each version of the script was met with controversy, particularly from veterans groups. On January 30, the exhibition was cancelled and Harwit resigned as Director on May 2, 1995. On June 28, 1995, "Enola Gay" was presented as a fact-based exhibition with little interpretation and significant emphasis on the aircraft's restoration. After his resignation, Harwit continued to collect clippings and journal articles related to the "Enola Gay" and its exhibition. In 1996, Harwit published the book "An Exhibit Denied: Lobbying the History of Enola Gay." Materials include correspondence, exhibition floor plans, Congressional hearing statement, articles, clippings, notes, brochures, and related materials. Some materials document projects and professional activities undertaken by Harwit after his resignation.

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Preferred Citation

Smithsonian Institution Archives, Accession 14-212, National Air and Space Museum, Enola Gay Exhibition Records

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Container List

Box 1

Personal Correspondence re: Enola Gay Exhibition Controversy and Resignation, January-May 1995

Box 1 of 1

"Constructing a Peaceful World: A Forum," American University, July 9, 1995

Box 1 of 1

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum Pamphlets

Box 1 of 1

Restoration Guidelines: Boeing B-39 Superfortress (Enola Gay)

Box 1 of 1

Enola Gay Exhibition Plans, 1993-1994

Box 1 of 1

"Academic Freedom in 'The Last Act'" Manuscript for Journal Introduction

Box 1 of 1

"Articles on the Exhibition of the Enola Gay: A Commentary," late 1995

Box 1 of 1

Summary of Fan Mail and News Articles, 1987-1988

Box 1 of 1

"Hiroshima and Nagasaki Memories and Questions: Congregational Resources for the Anniversary of the Atomic Destruction of Two Japanese Cities" by Gaillard Hunt, 1995

Box 1 of 1

Notes on Conversation with Paul Tibbets, June 22, 1994

Box 1 of 1

David Umansky/Nippon TV Interview, April 24, 1995

Box 1 of 1

"A Museum of the Space Age" Article by Sam Smith

Box 1 of 1

Notes and Reminders, June 19-24, 1995

Box 1 of 1

Statement of Martin Harwit, Former Director of the National Air and Space Museum, for the Committee on Rules and Administration, United States Senate, 104th Congress, Hearings on the Smithsonian Institution's Future Management Practices, May 15, 1995

Box 1 of 1

Radiation Effect Research Foundation Newsletters and Other Publications, 1989-1993

Box 1 of 1

48th Nagasaki Peace Ceremony, August 9, 1993

Box 1 of 1

Mike Wallace Manuscripts on the Enola Gay Exhibition Controversy, 1995

Box 1 of 1

Exhibition Catalog - "Nagasaki, 11:02, August 9, 1945," Photographs by Shomei Tomatsu, Photo Musee

Box 1 of 1

"Presenting History: Museums in a Democratic Society" Symposium, University of Michigan - Neil Harris Statement, April 19, 1995

Box 1 of 1

Comments and Speech Texts re: Controversial Exhibits (context unidentified)

Box 1 of 1

Effect of the National Armed Forces Advisory Board Legislation on the National Air and Space Museum, January 1995

Box 1 of 1

"Hiroshima/Nagasaki as History and Politics," Paper Prepared for the Organization of American Historians Conference, Hosei University, Tokyo, March 30, 1995

Box 1 of 1

"Reflection on the Enola Gay Controversy at the National Air and Space Museum," Draft Paper by Edward T. Linenthal, March 1995

Box 1 of 1

Long Term Effects of Atomic Bombing Research

Box 1 of 1

"The Enola Gay: An Editorial," Albatross Newsletter, Auburn University, May 1995

Box 1 of 1

"Footprints of Nagasaki"

Box 1 of 1

"Yushukan: An Exhibition of Treasures in the Possession of Yasukuni Jinja and Items Left by the War Dead" Brochure, 1988

Box 1 of 1

Martin Harwit's Calendar, 1996

Box 1 of 1

Enola Gay Exhibit Observations by an Intern, 1996

Box 1 of 1

"Presenting the American Past," Cornell University, Course Materials, Fall 1996

Box 1 of 1

"If the Radiance of a Thousand Suns: The Hiroshima Project," Play by Nick Patricca, 1995-1997

Box 1 of 1

USS Arizona Memorial Brochure

Box 1 of 1

Historians' Committee for Open Debate on Hiroshima Information Packet, 1995

Box 1 of 1

Hiroshima Peace Memorial, 1996

Box 1 of 1

Essay by Tamami Yamamoto, 1996

Box 1 of 1

"Japan's 'Postwar Ambiguities': The Pacific War, Denial, and the Future" Manuscript by Milton Leitenberg, 1997

Box 1 of 1

"An Exhibit Denied: Lobbying the History of the Enola Gay" Book Reviews, 1997-1999

Box 1 of 1

"An Exhibit Denied: Lobbying the History of the Enola Gay" Epilogue Drafts

Box 1 of 1

Miscellaneous Articles and Clippings, 1994

Box 1 of 1

Miscellaneous Articles and Clippings, 1995 (3 folders)

Box 1 of 1

Miscellaneous Articles and Clippings, 1996-1997

Box 1 of 1