Offbeat | Smithsonian to include 2 Cosby items in new history museum

Construction continues on The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington

After facing criticism for an exhibit of works from Bill Cosby’s personal art collection, the Smithsonian plans to include two items related to him at its new African-American history museum. There are no plans to acknowledge the sexual assault allegations against the comedian in the text accompanying the items, a Smithsonian spokeswoman said.
The Cosby items, a comic book from his pioneering TV show “I Spy” and the cover of his 1964 comedy album “I Started Out as a Child,” will be included in the exhibit on theater, television, film and entertainment at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, which opens Sept. 24.
The two items will be part of a collection of 3,000 objects. They will address Cosby’s place in television history as the first African-American star of a network drama and the success of his comedy albums, which won six consecutive Grammy Awards.
“This is not a Bill Cosby exhibition,” the museum said in a statement issued on Monday, after The New York Times first reported the inclusion of the Cosby items.
Dozens of women have accused Cosby, 78, of sexual abuse. Cosby has been charged with drugging and sexually assaulting a former Temple University worker at his suburban Philadelphia home in 2004, a case that is on hold amid an appeal. He also faces several civil lawsuits.
Attorneys for Cosby’s accusers said the Smithsonian should acknowledge the allegations.