Museum Moment: A Look Back at Johnny Horizon, "Symbol of the Thoughtful Outdoorsman"

Catch a 20-minute "Museum Moment" with the Interior Museum's chief curator Tracy Baetz during your lunch break and hear about Johnny Horizon, the backpack-toting fictional character created by the Bureau of Land Management in 1968 as its official symbol of the "thoughtful visitor to public lands" and the face of an anti-litter campaign. Fifty years ago, a law went into effect allowing the Department of the Interior to collect royalties on the use of Johnny, and he catapulted onto the national scene with a marketing campaign, a diverse product line, and extensive celebrity support.  You'll be able to watch some of the promotional clips and see first-hand the Johnny Horizon memorabilia preserved in the Interior Museum's collection.

Museum Moments are a series of brief, 20-minute informal presentations in which you can count on hearing, visiting, learning, or seeing something fascinating related to the Department of the Interior's history. It might be a special artifact, a tie-in with a historical event, a mini-tour, a new addition to the museum's collection, or even a behind-the-scenes peek at a current museum project. 

Special Assistance - For those in need of special assistance (such as an interpreter for the hearing impaired) or inquiries regarding the accessible entrance, please notify museum staff at (202) 208-4743 in advance of the program. Special needs will be accommodated whenever possible.

Building Access - Visitor access to the Department of the Interior headquarters is through the C Street entrance lobby. Adults must present a valid, government-issued photo ID to enter the building. All visitors will be subject to security screenings, including bag and parcel checks.

Location - The Museum gallery is located on the first floor, just beyond the C Street Lobby visitor entrance to the Stewart Lee Udall Department of the Interior Building, 1849 C Street NW, Washington, DC, 20240.