Sunday, November 1, 2015

Deidre Hall, Susan Seaforth Hayes and Greg Meng To Present 'Days of our Lives' Donation to Smithsonian's National Museum of American History (Updated)

The Days or our Lives cast in 1994.
The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History will soon be adding artifacts that reflect the contributions of daytime television programming to the national entertainment collection in a special ceremony that continues an on-going partnership with the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS). The donations—from Days of our Lives, in celebration of the show 50th Anniversary—will be presented by Deidre Hall (Dr. Marlena Evans), Susan Seafoth Hayes (Julie Williams) and Executive Producer Greg Meng, who is also the author of the 50th Anniversary book.

The objects range from show scripts and original art to set props and other memorabilia, including sets of the iconic Horton Family Christmas Ornaments and a pledge of the iconic Hourglass which has opened each episode for 50 years.

The presentation will take place on Wednesday, November 4th at 12 p.m.

Tippi Hedren will host the event, which will be also attended by John Gray (Director, National Museum of American History), Dwight Blocker Bowers (Curator, National Museum of American History) and Chuck Dages (National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Chairman of the Board).

The ceremony celebrates a collecting initiative put in place last year by the museum in partnership with NATAS that aims to help the museum expand its capacity to tell the story of daytime television and the Daytime Emmy Awards.

“Everyone at NATAS is thrilled to continue our relationship with the Smithsonian and Daytime television by bringing these iconic items and stars from Days of Our Lives to the museum,” said Chuck Dages, Chairman of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. “We already have plans for another very exciting Donation Ceremony next spring with some great surprises!”

The museum’s television collections contain costumes, scripts, props and set pieces including Archie Bunker’s chair from “All in the Family,” marionettes from “The Howdy Doody Show,” the puffy shirt from “Seinfeld” and Denis Leary’s firefighter costume from “Rescue Me.” An exhibition exploring American culture is currently in development and will draw on the museum’s television, theater, music, sports and entertainment collections. The future exhibition is scheduled to open in late 2016.

The first Daytime Emmy Awards show was broadcast in 1974 and hosted by Barbara Walters and Peter Marshall. The Daytime Emmys represent the best of television programming in eight categories—daytime dramas, talk shows, morning programs, game shows, children’s programming, legal/court shows, culinary shows and lifestyle and travel programs—as well as “new approaches” categories.

UPDATE:
Days of our Lives will present objects to the museum, including an original script that depicts the Marlena Evans character’s possession storyline with director’s notes. Christmas ornaments from the Horton’s will also be presented and the producers will pledge to donate the original hourglass used in the show’s opening sequence.

Following the donation ceremony, executive producer Greg Meng will sign his new book, "Days of our Lives: 50 Years," at noon outside the Warner Bros. Theater. The book presents an in-depth look at the show’s history through full-color photographs and rare black-and-white historical images. Meng will be joined by cast members, Deidre Hall who plays Marlena and Susan Seaforth Hayes, who plays Julie Williams.

RELATED:
- 'Days of our Lives' Stars Deidre Hall and Kristian Alfonso, and EP Greg Meng Ring New York Stock Exchange Opening Bell (Video)
- PHOTOS: 'Days of our Lives' Cast Signs "Days of our Lives: 50 Years" in New Jersey

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