Star Trek Props on display at The National Air and Space Museum in 1992

From February, 1992 through January, 1993; a major exhibition of Star Trek: The Original Series props, costumes and model miniatures was held at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. This exhibition was part of the 25th Anniversary celebration of TOS, and attracted over 880,000 visitors. It was the first time that the Smithsonian honored a fictional as opposed to scientific achievement; and the event, which was initially intended to last for 6 months – was extended to 11 months because of its overwhelming popularity with the public.

Some rare photos from the exhibition are presented below.

The centerpiece was the 11 foot U.S.S. Enterprise filming model that had been donated by Paramount to the Smithsonian in 1974 and which was displayed with its internal lighting systems active. The model had undergone a special restoration, performed by renowned Star Trek prop and model maker Ed Miarecki, in preparation for this exhibition…

Below, the Original Series 11 foot model is shown hanging next to the Enterprise A filming model from the feature films …

Some of the most elegant creations of Star Trek Costume Designer William Theiss were highlighted in the display. The famous Grecian style gown worn by Lt. Carolyn Palamas in the episode “Who Mourns for Adonais” is visible in the background on the right side of the following photo…

Here are some episode screenshots of it …

All of the major Federation duty uniform styles were displayed, as well as the rare environmental suit or biohazard suit (seen in “The Naked Time”) which was fabricated primarily from plastic orange shower curtains. These costumes appear in the background of the following photo, behind the famous Helm and Navigations console from the Bridge …

The Original Series Klingon Battle Cruise filming model was displayed alongside the larger filming model used in ST:TMP and Star Trek VI…

A display case dedicated to TOS weapons featured a Cage Laser, 2 hand phasers, a Black and White Type Phaser Pistol, a federation phaser power pack, a Klingon Disrupter Pistol and an Eminiar phaser …

Communicator, Tricorder, desk communicator, data discs, medical sensors and miscellaneous engineering equipment …

Tribbles, a flying parasite creature from “Operation: Annihilate!”, a cuboctahedral block from “By Any Other Name”, and scripts …

The Botany Bay filming model from “Space Seed” …

The Aurora spacecraft from “The Way To Eden” ...

And the Aurora seen alongside a Tholian vessel from “The Tholian Web” …

Mr. Spocks Vulcan Harp from "Charlie X" ...