Highlights: "DOI Pop! On Air, On Screen & In Print"

The exhibition ​on view at the Interior Museum from June 2015 to January 2017 explored the intersection of the U.S. Department of the Interior with popular culture, highlighting classic examples from the early 1900s to the present from across its bureaus. Visitors saw how the Department’s people and places have influenced American identity and figured into television shows, feature films, and bestselling publications. From silent films and animated cartoons to blockbuster hits and novels, visitors discovered just how often America’s public lands, wildlife refuges and national parks—and even the headquarters building—have been cast in memorable supporting roles. With historical artifacts and iconic imagery, the exhibition also illustrated how the Department itself has enlisted icons of pop culture for help in publicizing its missions. 

  • "DOI Pop!" Exhibition

    Title wall and introductory panel and vitrine for the "DOI Pop!" exhibition
    Title wall and introductory panel and vitrine for the "DOI Pop!" exhibition
    U.S. Department of the Interior Museum, 2015.

    "DOI Pop!" Exhibition

    This gallery view shows the title wall, introductory panel, and opening vitrine for the Interior Museum's exhibition, DOI Pop! On Air, On Screen & In Print, on view June 29, 2015 through January 13, 2017. On the far wall is a section entitled, "Lights, Camera, Action" where film buffs could test their knowledge based upon trivia questions and photo clues involving Department of the Interior-related sets.

  • "DOI Pop!" Exhibition

    View of the "DOI Pop!" exhibition gallery and the section about the Department of the Interior in film.
    View of the "DOI Pop!" exhibition gallery and the section about the Department of the Interior in film.
    U.S. Department of the Interior Museum, 2015.

    "DOI Pop!" Exhibition

    This section of the DOI Pop! exhibition featured the Department of the Interior's connections with the big screen. Included on display were graphic panels showing stills from movies and television shows shot on Interior-managed lands, plus loaned objects and artifacts in the Interior Museum's collection.

  • "DOI Pop!" Exhibition

    Section of the exhibition entitled, "On Location" consisting of five vertical panels and a magnetic tile-matching game.
    Section of the exhibition entitled, "On Location" consisting of five vertical panels and a magnetic tile-matching game.
    U.S. Department of the Interior, 2015.

    "DOI Pop!" Exhibition

    The "On Location" section of the exhibition put visitors in the role of film location scouts and having to evaluate and select the Department of the Interior site best-suited for given scenarios. Visitors would select from a magnetic board a tile containing images and a list of television shows and movies. They would then check the "scouting reports" for five possible Bureau of Land Management and National Park Service location and match their tile with the site that seemed to be the best fit. 

  • "DOI Pop!" Exhibition

    Vitrines of objects, wall graphics, and interpretive panels in the "DOI Pop!" exhibition.
    Vitrines of objects, wall graphics, and interpretive panels in the "DOI Pop!" exhibition.
    U.S. Department of the Interior Museum, 2015.

    "DOI Pop!" Exhibition

    This area of the exhibition gallery featured the stories of certain Department of the Interior employees who transcended to pop culture status. Also visible is the "In Print" section with several books and magazines —published from 1911 on—with characters or settings related to Interior.

     

     

  • Title wall and introductory panel and vitrine for the "DOI Pop!" exhibition
  • View of the "DOI Pop!" exhibition gallery and the section about the Department of the Interior in film.
  • Section of the exhibition entitled, "On Location" consisting of five vertical panels and a magnetic tile-matching game.
  • Vitrines of objects, wall graphics, and interpretive panels in the "DOI Pop!" exhibition.