Smithsonian to include two Bill Cosby items in new history museum

WASHINGTON – The Smithsonian will display two items related to Bill Cosby at its new African-American history museum on the National Mall and has no current plans to acknowledge the sexual-assault allegations against the comedian.

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture issued a statement on Monday about the items that read, in part, “This is not a Bill Cosby exhibition.”

The museum opens on Sept. 24. The Cosby items – a comic book from his TV show “I Spy” and the cover of one of his comedy albums – will be included in its exhibit on theater, television, film and entertainment.

Smithsonian spokeswoman Linda St. Thomas says the labels for the items don’t currently address the allegations against Cosby, but she says that could change.