What Smithsonian historians are curating from the 2024 Democratic National Convention

‘Some of them are things that conventions have always used, and some of them are logistical things that are new in each different time period.’

Three political history curators from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History are heading to Chicago and the 2024 Democratic National Convention soon to collect stuff—or as the professionals call it, ephemera: everything from balloons to tickets to articles of clothing. The Smithsonian’s political campaign collection includes items dating back to George Washington.