WASHINGTON — The zombie apocalypse made its way to the Smithsonian on Tuesday as AMC’s “The Walking Dead” donated items to the National American History Museum.
“This is the first time I’ve ever been on stage with this kind of collection as a donation to the National Museum — and it is pretty extraordinary,” museum director John Gray said.
His remark drew a laugh from the crowd as the show’s props marked its 100th episode. Donated items include a bust of the so-called zombie bicycle girl who appears in the show’s pilot, character Daryl Dixon’s crossbow and character Hershel Greene’s severed head.
While they may be uncommon additions to the museum, they represent the beloved post-apocalyptic show which Variety dubbed the most-watched in America.
“Enshrinement in the Smithsonian is the rarest of air,” AMC president Charlie Collier said. “We are humbled to become a part of the popular culture history.”
The museum’s collection also includes items from other shows that have shaped U.S. pop culture, including “Seinfeld,” “Mad Men,” “Breaking Bad” and “The Wonder Years.”
The “Bicycle Girl” bust is one of the artifacts AMC is donating to the Smithsonian. The bust of the walker appears on the pilot episode and is the first walker that hero Rick Grimes shoots after waking from a coma. (WTOP/Megan Cloherty)
\n","caption":"The “Bicycle Girl” bust is one of the artifacts AMC is donating to the Smithsonian. The bust of the walker appears on the pilot episode and is the first walker that hero Rick Grimes shoots after waking from a coma. (WTOP\/Megan Cloherty)\n","ampmedia":"\n\n\t\t","alt":""},{"type":"photo","media":"
\n","caption":"Executive Producer Scott Gimbel stands next to members of the “Walking Dead” cast: Norman Reedus, Danai Gurira, Andrew Lincoln and Lennie James. (WTOP\/Megan Cloherty)\n","ampmedia":"\n\n\t\t","alt":""},{"type":"photo","media":"
\n","caption":"This decapitated head was modeled after actor Scott Wilson, who played Hershel Greene on “The Walking Dead.” (WTOP\/Megan Cloherty)\n","ampmedia":"\n\n\t\t","alt":""},{"type":"photo","media":"
\n","caption":"Actor Norman Reedus laughs after the museum’s curator of culture and the arts, Eric Jentsch, asks that he wear gloves to handle the props, which are now artifacts of the Smithsonian National American History Museum. (WTOP\/Megan Cloherty)\n","ampmedia":"\n\n\t\t","alt":""},{"type":"ad","media":"
\n","caption":"The child walker’s costume bunny slippers that were donated to the museum go with matching pink floral pajamas. The costume was worn by Addy Miller portraying the character Summer in the first scene of the pilot episode. (WTOP\/Megan Cloherty)\n","ampmedia":"\n\n\t\t","alt":""},{"type":"photo","media":"
\n","caption":"Actor Steven Yeun wore this costume\u00a0 when he portrayed character Glen Rhee in the show’s first two seasons. (WTOP\/Megan Cloherty)\n","ampmedia":"\n\n\t\t","alt":""},{"type":"photo","media":"
\n","caption":"This Black Horton Scout HD 125 crossbow with a shoulder strap is the same one used by character Daryl Dixon. His preferred weapon of choice first appears on the show in season one. (WTOP\/Megan Cloherty)\n","ampmedia":"\n\n\t\t","alt":""},{"type":"photo","media":"
\n","caption":"Actor Norman Reedus handles Daryl Dixon’s preferred weapon using preservation gloves. (WTOP\/Megan Cloherty)\n","ampmedia":"\n\n\t\t","alt":""},{"type":"ad","media":"
\n","caption":"Actors Danai Gurira, Andrew Lincoln and Lennie James pose for a photo after the dedication of the artifacts. (WTOP\/Megan Cloherty)\n","ampmedia":"\n\n\t\t","alt":""}], previews: [{"index":0,"src":"https:\/\/wtop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/image2-260x174.jpg"},{"index":1,"src":"https:\/\/wtop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/image-7-260x174.jpg"},{"index":2,"src":"https:\/\/wtop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/image3-260x174.jpg"},{"index":3,"src":"https:\/\/wtop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/IMG_4171-260x174.jpg"},{"index":5,"src":"https:\/\/wtop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/image4-260x174.jpg"},{"index":6,"src":"https:\/\/wtop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/image1-260x174.jpg"},{"index":7,"src":"https:\/\/wtop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/croos-260x174.jpg"},{"index":8,"src":"https:\/\/wtop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/IMG_4175-260x174.jpg"},{"index":10,"src":"https:\/\/wtop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/image-6-260x174.jpg"}], prev: "\t", next: "\t" };
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