July 27, 2006 The Library of Congress' Bob Hope Gallery to Close Aug. 6 Through Aug. 17

The Bob Hope Gallery of American Entertainment, a permanent exhibition at the Library of Congress, will temporarily close, beginning at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 5, while construction related to the passageway from the Capitol Visitor Center is completed. Located on the ground floor of the Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 First St. S.E., the gallery will reopen on Friday, Aug. 18, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Library of Congress acquired the Bob Hope Collection in 1998 and opened the exhibition, titled "Bob Hope and American Variety," in 2000. This celebration of Hope's career in the context of vaudeville in America looks at his achievements and contributions throughout the 20th century. It draws upon selections from the Bob Hope Collection and additional material from the Library's extensive resources about the history of American entertainment. Special emphasis is placed on the effect of the vaudeville tradition on his work in motion pictures, radio, television, theater, personal appearances and USO shows.

A special feature of the gallery is a searchable, interactive database containing more than 88,000 pages of the legendary comedian's jokes arranged by categories. With its dynamic displays and innovative use of electronics, the gallery provides a unique window into the traditions of vaudeville that form the cornerstone of the best of today's comedy. The exhibition may be viewed on the Library's Web site at www.loc.gov/exhibits/bobhope.