Step onto Set of Mad Men in Exhibit "Matthew Weiner's Mad Men" At Museum of Moving Image

Photo by Thanassi Karageorgiou / Museum of the Moving Image

The New York City of the ’60s are coming to an end for Don Draper and the Mad Men (and women), but thanks to The Museum of The Moving Image, all of us have an opportunity to revisit them. Starting March 14th, Matthew Weiner’s Mad Men is the museum’s newest exhibit, highlighting the inspirations and creative process behind one of television’s most acclaimed series. The exhibit will feature actual sets used in the production of the series: Don Draper’s SC&P office and the Draper family kitchen. We had the opportunity to check it all out at yesterday’s press preview.

Photo by Thanassi Karageorgiou / Museum of the Moving Image

Along with the two sound-stages, the exhibit will include recorded audio and video interviews from series show-runner, executive producer and head writer Matthew Weiner. Personal notes and other materials taken from his personal research of ’60s fashion will go along with 25 costumes, hundreds of props, and advertising art. The exhibit’s goal is to show the amount of detail and though Weiner and his creative team put into the production of Mad Men.

The Draper Family Kitchen Table

Carl Goodman, Executive Director for the Museum calls Mad Men “a show whose poetic storytelling and meticulous craftsmanship is unparalleled.” Walking through the third floor of the museum, where the exhibit will be held till mid-June, Goodman’s statement is justified. Visitors of the Museum can see how much thought and dedication went into each aspect of the production: origins, characters, writing, costumes, set design and music.

Don Draper’s SC&P Office at the Museum of the Moving Image

For die-hard fans, this is a prime opportunity to know why Weiner decided to choose RJD2’s “A Beautiful Mine” for the show’s iconic opening theme. There are collages, where we could see how characters like Don, Peggy, Joan, Sally and Betty were pieced together. And, if that’s not enough, you can see up close some of the amazing costumes that inspired many of us to go retro. Costumes include: Don’s gray suit, a few of Joan’s many outstanding outfits worn throughout the series run, the little black dress Megan Draper wears when she performs “Zou Bisou Bisou” and more.

The Writers Room (the only set piece that is a replica in the exhibit). Photo by Thanassi Karageorgiou / Museum of the Moving Image

In conjunction with the exhibit, the Museum is also hosting is a series of films , all handpicked by Weiner, that influenced Matthew Weiner, before and during the creation of Mad Men. The series Required Viewing: Mad Men’s Movie Influences is made up of 10 films Weiner made everyone involved in the making of the series watch during the series run. Classic films such as Billy Wilder’s The Apartment, Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest and Vertigo, and David Lynch’s Blue Velvet will be shown, with Weiner himself present at some screenings.

The Costumes of Joan Holloway and Peggy Olson.

For six and a half seasons, we have followed the lives of Don Draper, Peggy Olson, Roger Sterling, Pete Campbell, Joan Holloway, the entire SC&P staff and their families. We have made connections with these characters, saw ourselves in them through times of happiness, tragedy and everything in-between. We watched as Sally grew older, Peggy became a feminist symbol, Roger Sterling try acid and Pete Campbell finally getting punched in the face. We’ve watched them experience the deaths of Martin Luther King, Jr., John F. Kennedy, his brother RFK and a few of their own.

So as we prepare to say goodbye to Mad Men, This is an exhibit that not only celebrates the popular show, but also delves into the mind, work ethic and ambition of Matthew Weiner and his staff of writers, set and costume designers.

Betty Draper’s Possessions

Don Draper’s Secret Box

Matthew Weiner’s Mad Men will be on display from March 14th to June 19th at The Museum of The Moving Image in Astoria, Queens. The film series Required Viewing: Mad Men’s Movie Influences will be from March 14th to April 26th. 

Don’t forget to check out our Mad Men archive. Which includes a Mad Men Guide to NYC and The Ruins of The Lutèce Restaurant.

“If you don’t like what’s being said, change the conversation.” To help change the conversation, contact the author @ChrisLInoa