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behind the scenes
March 11, 2015

Step Inside Don Draper’s Kitchen, Office, & More

By Brooke Marine

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Photo: Thanassi Karageorgiou/?Thanassi Karageorgiou

As the first half of Mad Men’s seventh season was playing out last spring, Barbara Miller was scurrying to meet with the department heads and creative team of the show at L.A. Center Studios, in preparation for her own production. In what she calls a “deeply collaborative effort,” the Museum of the Moving Image’s curator of the collection and exhibitions worked directly with Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner and his team to select the props, costumes, and handwritten notes that would make up the exhibit, “Matthew Weiner’s Mad Men.”

Upon entering, visitors are greeted by the Mad Men writers’ room, filled with Weiner’s early handwritten notes and script pages dating back to 1992, which would eventually inform the show when it premiered 15 years later. Thirty-three costumes — including Don Draper’s iconic suit, Megan Draper’s “Zou Bisou Bisou” dress, and Pete Campbell’s preppy California look — are on display, along with the box of Don Draper’s secrets, video clips from each season (with introductions by Weiner), and a music-listening station.

With assistance from the Teamsters Local 817, two large-scale sets were brought to the museum’s Astoria, Queens, location and — with the help of Ellen Freund, Mad Men’s property master for seasons four through seven — outfitted exactly as they appear onscreen. Visitors can step into Don and Betty Draper’s kitchen from their home in Ossining, New York. Don’s SC&P office, which first appeared in season four, is also present, complete with Frank Sinatra and Bob Dylan records on the record player, a stocked bar cart, and framed photos of Sally, Bobby, and Megan Draper. “We hope that what people take away from the experience of the exhibition is something that enriches their experience of television in general, and of this series in particular,” Miller said at a press preview on Tuesday.

“Television is supposed to be a lesser art form,” added Carl Goodman, the museum’s executive director. “Suddenly, here we are, where the creative professionals are working in the field of television, which means it’s that much more important for us and our collection, and our programs, to chronicle this transition, this very exciting moment. Ten, 20 years from now, scholars are going to be studying this.”

Click through our slideshow for images from “Matthew Weiner’s Mad Men.” The exhibit will be open from March 14 to June 14 in the Changing Exhibitions Gallery. The museum is expecting to keep some pieces from the exhibition in its permanent collection once the show ends. Don’t miss “Required Viewing: Mad Men’s Movie Influences,” a ten-film series curated by Matthew Weiner, kicking off March 20, with Weiner and a cast member present for a Q&A.

All photos courtesy of Thanassi Karageorgiou/Museum of the Moving Image.

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1 / 14 Photos
The entry for "Matthew Weiner's Mad Men” at the Museum of Moving Image in Astoria, Queens. The entry for "Matthew Weiner's Mad Men” at the Museum of Moving Image in Astoria, Queens.

The entry for "Matthew Weiner's Mad Men” at the Museum of Moving Image in Astoria, Queens.

Photo: Thanassi Karageorgiou/?Thanassi Karageorgiou
Don Draper's SC&P office, from seasons four to six. Don Draper's SC&P office, from seasons four to six.

Don Draper's SC&P office, from seasons four to six.

Photo: Thanassi Karageorgiou/?Thanassi Karageorgiou
A close-up of Don Draper's box of secrets: Dick Whitman's dog tag, personal letters from Adam Whitman, and family photos of Don before he moved to New York City. A close-up of Don Draper's box of secrets: Dick Whitman's dog tag, personal letters from Adam Whitman, and family photos of Don before he moved to New York City.

A close-up of Don Draper's box of secrets: Dick Whitman's dog tag, personal letters from Adam Whitman, and family photos of Don before he moved to New...

A close-up of Don Draper's box of secrets: Dick Whitman's dog tag, personal letters from Adam Whitman, and family photos of Don before he moved to New York City.

Photo: Thanassi Karageorgiou/?Thanassi Karageorgiou
Betty and Don Draper's Ossining, New York, kitchen, featured in seasons one through four. Betty and Don Draper's Ossining, New York, kitchen, featured in seasons one through four.

Betty and Don Draper's Ossining, New York, kitchen, featured in seasons one through four.

Photo: Thanassi Karageorgiou/?Thanassi Karageorgiou
Kleenex tissues, a clock-radio, and The Joy of Cooking sit on Betty Draper's kitchen counter. The wall decals read, "Behind every successful man stands a woman telling him that he's wrong," and "The origins expressed by the husband of this house are not necessarily those of the management." Kleenex tissues, a clock-radio, and The Joy of Cooking sit on Betty Draper's kitchen counter. The wall decals read, "Behind every successful man stands a woman telling him that he's wrong," and "The origins expressed by the husband of this house are not necessarily those of the management."

Kleenex tissues, a clock-radio, and The Joy of Cooking sit on Betty Draper's kitchen counter. The wall decals read, "Behind every successful man ...

Kleenex tissues, a clock-radio, and The Joy of Cooking sit on Betty Draper's kitchen counter. The wall decals read, "Behind every successful man stands a woman telling him that he's wrong," and "The origins expressed by the husband of this house are not necessarily those of the management."

Photo: Thanassi Karageorgiou/?Thanassi Karageorgiou
An unlit cigarette in an ashtray and a handwritten grocery list written on the back of an envelope on the Drapers’ kitchen table. An unlit cigarette in an ashtray and a handwritten grocery list written on the back of an envelope on the Drapers’ kitchen table.

An unlit cigarette in an ashtray and a handwritten grocery list written on the back of an envelope on the Drapers’ kitchen table.

Photo: Thanassi Kar...

An unlit cigarette in an ashtray and a handwritten grocery list written on the back of an envelope on the Drapers’ kitchen table.

Photo: Thanassi Karageorgiou/?Thanassi Karageorgiou
This view of the "Creating Character" section features costumes and props for Betty Draper/Francis, Sally Draper's shiny dress, and white go-go boots from "At the Codfish Ball" (season five, episode seven), and Megan Draper's "Zou Bisou Bisou" dress positioned above a video of her birthday performance for Don in the opening of season five. This view of the "Creating Character" section features costumes and props for Betty Draper/Francis, Sally Draper's shiny dress, and white go-go boots from "At the Codfish Ball" (season five, episode seven), and Megan Draper's "Zou Bisou Bisou" dress positioned above a video of her birthday performance for Don in the opening of season five.

This view of the "Creating Character" section features costumes and props for Betty Draper/Francis, Sally Draper's shiny dress, and white go...

This view of the "Creating Character" section features costumes and props for Betty Draper/Francis, Sally Draper's shiny dress, and white go-go boots from "At the Codfish Ball" (season five, episode seven), and Megan Draper's "Zou Bisou Bisou" dress positioned above a video of her birthday performance for Don in the opening of season five.

Photo: Thanassi Karageorgiou/?Thanassi Karageorgiou
Costumes for Henry Francis and a party guest from "The Runaways" (season seven, episode five). Costumes for Henry Francis and a party guest from "The Runaways" (season seven, episode five).

Costumes for Henry Francis and a party guest from "The Runaways" (season seven, episode five).

Photo: Thanassi Karageorgiou/?Thanassi Karag...

Costumes for Henry Francis and a party guest from "The Runaways" (season seven, episode five).

Photo: Thanassi Karageorgiou/?Thanassi Karageorgiou
Party costumes for Megan Draper (right) and her friend Amy (left) from "The Runaways" (season seven, episode five). Party costumes for Megan Draper (right) and her friend Amy (left) from "The Runaways" (season seven, episode five).

Party costumes for Megan Draper (right) and her friend Amy (left) from "The Runaways" (season seven, episode five).

Photo: Thanassi Karageo...

Party costumes for Megan Draper (right) and her friend Amy (left) from "The Runaways" (season seven, episode five).

Photo: Thanassi Karageorgiou/?Thanassi Karageorgiou
Costumes and props for Don Draper, Peggy Olson's first-day outfit and season-seven costuming, Joan Holloway/Harris's bloodstained dress, and Roger Sterling's three-piece suit. Costumes and props for Don Draper, Peggy Olson's first-day outfit and season-seven costuming, Joan Holloway/Harris's bloodstained dress, and Roger Sterling's three-piece suit.

Costumes and props for Don Draper, Peggy Olson's first-day outfit and season-seven costuming, Joan Holloway/Harris's bloodstained dress, and Roger Ste...

Costumes and props for Don Draper, Peggy Olson's first-day outfit and season-seven costuming, Joan Holloway/Harris's bloodstained dress, and Roger Sterling's three-piece suit.

Photo: Thanassi Karageorgiou/?Thanassi Karageorgiou
Costumes and props for characters including Don Draper, Peggy Olson, Joan Holloway/Harris, and Roger Sterling. Costumes and props for characters including Don Draper, Peggy Olson, Joan Holloway/Harris, and Roger Sterling.

Costumes and props for characters including Don Draper, Peggy Olson, Joan Holloway/Harris, and Roger Sterling.

Photo: Thanassi Karageorgiou/?Thanass...

Costumes and props for characters including Don Draper, Peggy Olson, Joan Holloway/Harris, and Roger Sterling.

Photo: Thanassi Karageorgiou/?Thanassi Karageorgiou
An installation of the writers’ room from the production offices at L.A. Center Studios. Notes on the walls and whiteboards are from the writing process for "Waterloo," last year’s mid-season finale. An installation of the writers’ room from the production offices at L.A. Center Studios. Notes on the walls and whiteboards are from the writing process for "Waterloo," last year’s mid-season finale.

An installation of the writers’ room from the production offices at L.A. Center Studios. Notes on the walls and whiteboards are from the writing proce...

An installation of the writers’ room from the production offices at L.A. Center Studios. Notes on the walls and whiteboards are from the writing process for "Waterloo," last year’s mid-season finale.

Photo: Thanassi Karageorgiou/?Thanassi Karageorgiou
Matthew Weiner's personal, handwritten story notes, dating from 2006 to 2013. Matthew Weiner's personal, handwritten story notes, dating from 2006 to 2013.

Matthew Weiner's personal, handwritten story notes, dating from 2006 to 2013.

Photo: Thanassi Karageorgiou/?Thanassi Karageorgiou
Joan's fully stocked bar cart, equipped with Bacardi Rum and Lord Calvert Canadian Whiskey. Joan's fully stocked bar cart, equipped with Bacardi Rum and Lord Calvert Canadian Whiskey.

Joan's fully stocked bar cart, equipped with Bacardi Rum and Lord Calvert Canadian Whiskey.

Photo: Thanassi Karageorgiou/?Thanassi Karageorgiou
1 / 14

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  • mad men exhibit
  • behind the scenes
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