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Off-Ramp

Exclusive first look at JANM's 'New Frontiers: The Many Worlds of George Takei'

By Off-Ramp Staff
Published Mar 9, 2017
Ephemera from George Takei's political career at the Japanese American National Museum's exhibit "New Frontiers: The Many Worlds of George Takei." George ran for LA City Council in 1973.
Ephemera from George Takei's political career at the Japanese American National Museum's exhibit "New Frontiers: The Many Worlds of George Takei." George ran for LA City Council in 1973.
(
John Rabe
)
A piece of cypress saved by George Takei's father from the internment camp in Arkansas, displayed at the Japanese American National Museum's exhibit "New Frontiers: The Many Worlds of George Takei."
A piece of cypress saved by George Takei's father from the internment camp in Arkansas, displayed at the Japanese American National Museum's exhibit "New Frontiers: The Many Worlds of George Takei."
(
John Rabe
)
Examples of George Takei merchandise at the Japanese American National Museum's exhibit "New Frontiers: The Many Worlds of George Takei."
Examples of George Takei merchandise at the Japanese American National Museum's exhibit "New Frontiers: The Many Worlds of George Takei."
(
John Rabe
)
A George Takei doll at the Japanese American National Museum's exhibit "New Frontiers: The Many Worlds of George Takei."
A George Takei doll at the Japanese American National Museum's exhibit "New Frontiers: The Many Worlds of George Takei."
(
John Rabe
)
A letter from George's mother, pleading to regain her citizenship, at the Japanese American National Museum's exhibit "New Frontiers: The Many Worlds of George Takei."
A letter from George's mother, pleading to regain her citizenship, at the Japanese American National Museum's exhibit "New Frontiers: The Many Worlds of George Takei."
(
John Rabe
)
Takei family photos at the Japanese American National Museum's exhibit "New Frontiers: The Many Worlds of George Takei."
Takei family photos at the Japanese American National Museum's exhibit "New Frontiers: The Many Worlds of George Takei."
(
John Rabe
)
Jeff Yang, curator of the Japanese American National Museum's exhibit "New Frontiers: The Many Worlds of George Takei." Behind him is a George Takei yard sign from his unsuccessful 1973 run for LA City Council.
Jeff Yang, curator of the Japanese American National Museum's exhibit "New Frontiers: The Many Worlds of George Takei." Behind him is a George Takei yard sign from his unsuccessful 1973 run for LA City Council.
(
John Rabe
)
John Rabe outside the the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo. "New Frontiers: The Many Worlds of George Takei" opens Sunday.
John Rabe outside the the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo. "New Frontiers: The Many Worlds of George Takei" opens Sunday.
(
John Rabe
)
George and Brad Takei, before their wedding. Brad's vows are on display at the Japanese American National Museum's exhibit "New Frontiers: The Many Worlds of George Takei."
George and Brad Takei, before their wedding. Brad's vows are on display at the Japanese American National Museum's exhibit "New Frontiers: The Many Worlds of George Takei."
(
John Rabe
)
At the Japanese American National Museum's exhibit "New Frontiers: The Many Worlds of George Takei," a yard sign from George's unsuccessful run for LA City Council in 1973.
At the Japanese American National Museum's exhibit "New Frontiers: The Many Worlds of George Takei," a yard sign from George's unsuccessful run for LA City Council in 1973.
(
John Rabe
)

About the Show

Over 11 years and 570 episodes, John Rabe and Team Off-Ramp scoured SoCal for the people, places, and ideas whose stories needed to be told, and the show became a love-letter to Los Angeles. Now, John is sharing selections from the Off-Ramp vault to help you explore this imperfect paradise.

Funding provided by:

Corporation for Public Broadcasting

Listen 15:57
Exclusive first look at JANM's 'New Frontiers: The Many Worlds of George Takei'

Jeff Yang, a curator at the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo in downtown LA, says they backed a couple trucks up to George Takei's house a while back, accepting the donation of his vast personal archive. It's been carefully winnowed to a couple hundred items for an exhibit called "New Frontiers: The Many Worlds of George Takei," which opens Sunday and runs through August 20.

Jeff Yang, curator of the Japanese American National Museum's exhibit "New Frontiers: The Many Worlds of George Takei." Behind him is a George Takei yard sign from his unsuccessful 1973 run for LA City Council.
Jeff Yang, curator of the Japanese American National Museum's exhibit "New Frontiers: The Many Worlds of George Takei." Behind him is a George Takei yard sign from his unsuccessful 1973 run for LA City Council.
(
John Rabe
)

Jeff gave me an exclusive tour of the exhibit Wednesday, as the final displays were being assembled, including family photos that show just how American his family was before the internment ...

Takei family photos at the Japanese American National Museum's exhibit "New Frontiers: The Many Worlds of George Takei."
Takei family photos at the Japanese American National Museum's exhibit "New Frontiers: The Many Worlds of George Takei."
(
John Rabe
)

A touching letter from George's mother, as she tried to regain her citizenship after the internment ...

A letter from George's mother, pleading to regain her citizenship, at the Japanese American National Museum's exhibit "New Frontiers: The Many Worlds of George Takei."
A letter from George's mother, pleading to regain her citizenship, at the Japanese American National Museum's exhibit "New Frontiers: The Many Worlds of George Takei."
(
John Rabe
)

Rarely seen artifacts from George's film and TV career ...

And even Brad Takei's wedding vows:

George and Brad Takei, before their wedding. Brad's vows are on display at the Japanese American National Museum's exhibit "New Frontiers: The Many Worlds of George Takei."
George and Brad Takei, before their wedding. Brad's vows are on display at the Japanese American National Museum's exhibit "New Frontiers: The Many Worlds of George Takei."
(
John Rabe
)

For visitors, this is a chance to put all the pieces together that make up this most remarkable and truly American life. Make sure to use the audio player to hear Jeff Yang walk you through the exhibit.

Credits