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Object Details
- Roots
- Description
- Actor LeVar Burton wore these prop manacles in the miniseries Roots (ABC, 1977), a dramatic portrayal of slavery as experienced by several generations of one family. Based on Alex Haley's autobiographical novel, Roots began with Kunta Kinte, an African youth brought to America as a slave in the 1700s, and ended with the emancipation of his descendants during the Civil War. Watched by more than 100 million people, it was a significant departure from programs that had traditionally relegated blacks to minor, stereotyped roles.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- 1977
- ID Number
- 1993.0170.02
- catalog number
- 1993.0170.02
- accession number
- 1993.0170
- Object Name
- shackles, hand
- shackles
- prop
- shackles, prop
- Physical Description
- metal (overall material)
- rubber (overall material)
- steel, rubber, paint, metal (overall material)
- Measurements
- average spatial: 6 1/2 in x 53 in; x 16.51 cm x 134.62 cm
- Related Publication
- Kendrick, Kathleen M. and Peter C. Liebhold. Smithsonian Treasures of American History
- National Museum of American History. Treasures of American History online exhibition
- Related Web Publication
- http://americanhistory.si.edu/treasures
- National Museum of American History
- Record ID
- nmah_1157570
