Stephen Colbert’s portrait on display at the National Museum of American History
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Hey folks! I’ve got few photos to share with you to make up for being somewhat invisible lately. After two long years of remodeling, the National Museum of American History has finally reopened. Stephen Colbert’s quest to be named a National Treasure has been fulfilled: his portrait is proudly displayed on the second floor of the museum. . . in front of the bathrooms. AGAIN.
We should have guessed where they’d hang the portrait.
I was able to attend the NMAH’s opening ceremony on November 21, where Director Brent Glass welcomed the public to the renovated museum. Former Secretary of State Colin Powell read the historic Gettysburg Address, and despite the cold, a large crowd gathered to view the newly restored Star-Spangled Banner. If you ever have a chance to visit Washington D.C., I would highly recommend the National Museum of American History. The Stars and Stripes is awe-inspiring. Stephen Colbert’s portrait is pretty darn awesome too.
National Museum of American History Director (and It-Getter) Brent Glass
More photos behind the cut!
A slightly blurry shot of Former Secretary of State Colin Powell:
And of course:
The portrait itself.
Everyone who walks by says some variation on the phrase “Oh my god, that’s Stephen Colbert!” and whips out a camera or a camera phone to snap a picture. It’s kind of hilarious, actually.
A close-up of the description:
(Click on the picture for a larger image)
On a totally unnecessary personal note, my mother was the one who found the portrait as we wandered the museum. I’d just finished telling her about it, and we turned around and she said “Look! Isn’t that Colbert?” She’d watched her first Colbert Report the night before we visited the museum. Once she realized he was playing a character, she started to see the funny. She’ll be an It-Getter yet!
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9 Comments
December 7th, 2008 at 10:40 pm
Excellent report, Kina! Thanks for sharing with us!
That’s so cute that you’re doing your best to turn your mom into an it-getter. I gave mom a copy of “I Am America” last year for Christmas, but she only got through about 15 minutes of the Christmas special before she quietly excused herself to go read in another room. Drats!
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December 8th, 2008 at 12:19 am
I feel so lucky that my mom has been an it-getter as long as I have. We enjoy watching the show together, and occasionally she’ll get a little upset if I don’t wait to watch until she can also. :)
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December 8th, 2008 at 2:35 am
Nice frame… and is that bullet proof glass in front of the portrait? I’m glad to see they are protecting it as they should!
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December 8th, 2008 at 5:25 am
I just stopped by the museum on Thursday. I pretty much died when I saw they put him near the bathroom again. And, you’re right about people not knowing it’s there and getting a total surprise. I was getting my picture taken with it by my friend and a girl walked past and was, like, “Oh my god, I forgot this was going to be here! Could you take my picture with him?” :)
And the Star-Spangled Banner display is epic.
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December 8th, 2008 at 7:01 am
Thanks for the great report, Kina!
The National Museum of American History has always been my favorite museum. I need to get down there to see Stephen’s portrait in its new home.
I hope your mom becomes an it-getter. I’ve tried to convert my family members but have been unsuccessful so far.
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December 8th, 2008 at 10:11 am
Ha ha, looks like his pix was upgraded to across from the bathrooms from being in between the mens/ladies room.
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December 8th, 2008 at 10:38 am
I love that they put the portrait near the bathrooms again. Hahaha! Great photos and captions Kinaesthesia!
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December 8th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
How great! Thanks for the pix, Kina. It’s very cool that you’re turning your Mom into an “it-getter”. We were in DC in October, and missed the museum, since it was still closed. Will have to go back East again. Maybe next year…
I’m so happy for Stephen. Gotta love Brent Glass.
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December 8th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
all of it looks so srs! I’m impressed!
also seeing Colin Powell must have been pretty neat. I’m such a sucker for important people making speeches about anything.
thanks for sharing!
(I must add, if someone said “that’s Colbert!” I would be looking for a man, not a portrait, lol.)
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