PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – The Smithsonian is displaying a “rare” artifact from the state of Oregon as part of a new exhibit celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.
The exhibit, called — From These Lands: Sharing Our Natural and Cultural Heritage – debuted Thursday and features objects from all 50 states with more than 600 specimens and cultural objects.
Each state’s exhibit features 12 items representing the state. On Thursday, the museum unveiled a “rare” artifact that will be part of Oregon’s display: a Dungeness crab.
The museum notes that the Dungeness is native to the Northeastern Pacific from Alaska to Mexico, supports a major commercial fishing industry and plays a key role in the seafood industry. Officials added that in 2009, a coalition of fourth-grade students successfully lobbied for the crab to gain official state designation…