To many, it seemed like depicting too much of the devastation painted the United States as a war-hungry, evil power. Senators lobbied their opinions, and technically their constituents’ opinions, against the nature of the proposed exhibit. Here is how the Congressional hearings over the museum began: Congress definitely had a lot to say about this exhibit, particularly on how the Japanese accounts of the bomb affected the perception of America’s decision to use it. The Smithsonian is a federally funded institution this means the government is all-powerful in deciding what is placed on exhibit and, more importantly, how it is placed on exhibit. in Chantilly, Virginia- notably without much commentary. Udvar-Hazy Center, located outside of Washington, D.C. The Enola Gay is now at home in the Steven F. Eventually, Congress canceled the exhibit.
When news of this “rounded approach” spread, controversy ensued. The museum also began to create an exhibit based around the plane that included Japanese accounts of the event as well. In 1994, the Smithsonian began the restoration of the Enola Gay, the infamous B-29 warplane that dropped “Little Boy” on Hiroshima.
Courtesy of Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
