The museum’s exhibit offers an in-depth look at Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg’s groundbreaking work combatting sexism and championing equality.
The Illinois Holocaust Museum in Skokie opened an exhibition earlier this year, Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a detailed showcase of Justice Ginsburg’s life, career, and internet phenomenon. The interactive exhibit not only celebrates the groundbreaking work of RBG, but educates people about sexism, civic engagement, prejudice, and gender equity. “Few people convey these lessons more vividly than Ruth Bader Ginsburg,” said museum CEO Susan Abrams.
The exhibition tells Justice Ginsburg’s story through the use of gallery interactives, listening stations, archival photographs and documents, historical artifacts, and contemporary art. Museum visitors will be able to explore her life and career at a whole new level of depth in the new exhibit. You’ll be able to walk through 3D recreations of her childhood Brooklyn apartment, the kitchen in RBG and husband Marty’s home, and even dress up as a Justice and sit on a Supreme Court bench.
For those who want to go a little deeper, the exhibit also includes briefs and other writings by Justice Ginsburg, the 2018-2019 Supreme court calendar and cases to be decided in the current term, and home videos with Justice Ginsburg’s husband including footage from their honeymoon and the early years of their marriage. You’ll even be able to flip through the Nancy Drew books that Justice Ginsburg loved as a child among other items that give visitors a feel for her Jewish upbringing.
The exhibition was curated in partnership with Irin Carmon and Shana Kniznik, co-authors of the NYT bestselling book Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. In keeping with the spirit of the book, the exhibition riffs off the witty comparison of rapper Notorious B.I.G. and Notorious RBG; each gallery section is named after a song or lyric from the late Biggie Smalls.
The exhibit also features contemporary art inspired by RBG, such as different takes on her famous dissent collar, tattoo-style art, protest art. These items are a tribute to how popular RBG was with the internet activist scene. Wardrobe pieces from the film On The Basis of Sex about Justice Ginsburg’s life and career are on display.
The Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center serves to honor the survivors and victims of the Holocaust. The museum’s mission is to “transform history into current, relevant, and universal lessons in humanity.” Its exhibits serve as a wake-up call to action to fight hate and keep history from repeating itself.
Exhibit dates: Feb 9, 2020 – January 31, 2021.
Hours:
Weekdays: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Thursday evenings until 8 p.m.
Weekends 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Address: 9603 Woods Drive, Skokie, IL
Tickets start at $15 for adults, $10 for seniors, $8 for students, and $6 for children (5-11)
Members of the museum get free admission.
More information.
Feature photo courtesy of the Illinois Holocaust Museum.