Julia Child's exhibit at the National Museum of American History

Although Meryl Streep did not take home an Oscar for her role as Julia Child in Julie & Julia, the film has caused newfound interest in the woman who made French cuisine mainstream in America.  Julie & Julia is based on both Child’s book, My Life in France, and the story of Julie Powell.  Needing a change in her life, Julie starts to write a blog documenting her experiences cooking Julia Child’s recipes.  At the end of the film Powell, played by Amy Adams, travels to the National Museum of American History and visits the Julia Child exhibit.

The exhibit has been at the National Museum of American History since 2001.  Julia donated her kitchen to the museum after moving from Cambridge, Massachusetts, to California.  Some highlights of the exhibition include Julia’s personal blowtorch, used to brown the top of crème brulee, her extensive collection of kitchen knives, her cookbooks and all of her original appliances.  As part of the online exhibit, the Smithsonian is listing a Julia Child recipe of the week on their blog.

  

 

© Columbia Pictures