The Instruments of American Excellence exhibit closed to the public on May 12, 2018. This is an archived web site.

Instruments of American Excellence

wmctv.com: New WKU exhibit features ordinary stuff used by famous

BRUCE SCHREINER; Associated Press
Thursday, September 13th, 2012

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Western Kentucky University is opening a new museum exhibit that showcases ordinary stuff used to achieve the extraordinary.

There's equipment used by Titanic discoverer Robert Ballard, a film splicer from documentarian Ken Burns' editing room and shoes worn by Liza Minelli in a Tony Award-winning performance.

The collection features more than 140 pieces spanning entertainment, politics, sports and science. Other items include the hammer used by former President Jimmy Carter to build Habitat for Humanity houses and lab equipment used by Nobel Prize-winning scientists.

The collection opens Sept. 21 at the Kentucky Museum on Western's campus in Bowling Green.

The exhibit is the brainchild of Dan Murph, a Nashville, Tenn., songwriter who lives in Bowling Green.

Murph says he hopes the collection inspires visitors to pursue their own dreams.

Back to News