I am doing research for an online exhibition we are developing here at the Smithsonian on material culture. This exhibition will examine household possessions and encourage visitors to compare the way they live with the lifestyles of people in other socio-economic groups within the United States, in other parts of the world, and in other periods of American history. We will show how objects provide a window into our daily lives and reveal a story of personal, financial, or utilitarian value. My focus is on the historical aspect. I would like to recreate several historic households that reflect the variety of socio-economic levels, geographical variations, and cultural backgrounds that existed in this country over the past 200+ years. I am looking for information about collections of household objects # preferably complete collections for a home. I am also interested in any information on the types of families that would have lived in these homes and any oral histories, family journals, or other archival materials that would describe how the objects were used by the families and help provide a narrative thread for the exhibition. Additionally, if you know of any historic homes or living history museums we may be able to use as a model for an historic household in the exhibition, or if you have any suggestions for other people or organizations I should contact, please let me know. As this exhibition will be online # on the World Wide Web # and not in a physical museum setting, we would not need to borrow any objects. We plan to use photographs and 3-D models, but we would of course credit the sources of our information. Please respond off the list via e-mail ([log in to unmask]) or at the address below. Thank you for your assistance. Naina Mistry ------------------------------------------------------------------- Naina P. Mistry TEL: (202) 357-4797 Environmental Awareness Program FAX: (202) 786-2557 Smithsonian Institution 3123 Ripley Center, MRC 705 E-Mail: [log in to unmask] Washington, D.C. 20560 -------------------------------------------------------------------