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Prop manacles worn by LeVar Burton as Kunta Kinte in Roots

National Museum of American History

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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 an enslaved person 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
Credit Line
The Wolper Organization
1977
ID Number
1993.0170.02
catalog number
1993.0170.02
accession number
1993.0170
Object Name
shackles, prop
Physical Description
metal (overall material)
rubber (overall material)
paint (overall material)
steel (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 6 1/2 in x 53 in; 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
See more items in
Cultural and Community Life: Entertainment
National Treasures exhibit
Popular Entertainment
National Museum of American History
subject
Television
Record ID
nmah_1157570
Metadata Usage (text)
CC0
GUID (Link to Original Record)
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a9-d072-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Related Content

  • 1977: A Year in the Collections

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IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.
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