For Dorothy’s slippers, there’s no place like ... Kickstarter
WASHINGTON — It will take more than three clicks of the heels to preserve the ruby slippers that whisked Dorothy back to Kansas at the end of “The Wizard of Oz.”
The slippers, which for more than 30 years have been one of the most beloved items at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, were crafted almost 80 years ago by the MGM Studios prop de- partment. Like most movie props, they weren’t built to last
Now, the frayed shoes aren’t even ruby-colored anymore — they’re more like a dull auburn.
On Monday, the Smithsonian asked the public to help save the slippers, launching a Kickstarter campaign to raise $300,000.
In addition to keeping the shoes’ color from deteriorating further, the money will go toward a technologically advanced display case that will preserve them for future generations.
The Smithsonian’s museums are federally funded, but the institution fre- quently solicits private and corporate contributions for major projects that its budget doesn’t cover. This is the Smithsonian’s second Kickstarter campaign.
In 2015, the National Air and Space Museum raised $700,000 through the crowd-funding site to preserve the spacesuit that Neil Armstrong wore when he walked on the moon.
“This particular pair of ruby slippers really belongs to the American people, and so we thought as we sought support that we would in- vite the public to join us on this journey to help preserve them for the next generation,” said Melinda Machado, a museum spokeswoman.
The shoes are the most recognizable prop from the 1939 musical, their deep red hue dazzling audiences when the movie made its dramatic transition from black-and-white to Technicolor. They have been on near-constant display since they were anonymously donated to the museum in 1979.
The shoes also include glass beads and red felt on the soles that was used to muffle their sound when Judy Garland wore them during dance sequences.
The pair is also mismatched: One shoe is wider than the other, and there are other subtle differences in their shape. Each has Garland’s name written inside.
As of Tuesday night, donors had pledged more than $91,000 on Kickstarter. If the museum does not reach its $300,000 goal. in 30 days, no one will be charged.