Smithsonian's National Museum of American History #KeepThemRuby Campaign Preserves the Magic of Dorothy's Slippers

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There’s no place like home.

The magic of Dorothy’s ruby slippers is fading and the famous shoes are in desperate need of repair. The National Museum of American History has launched a crowd sourcing campaign #KeepThemRuby to protect them in a state-of-the-art display case.

In 1939 actress Judy Garland, donning the sparkling ruby slippers once worn by the Wicked Witch of the East, skipped down the yellow brick road in "The Wizard of Oz."

The nearly 80-year-old shoes are deteriorating and funds from the #KeepThemRuby initiative will go toward restoration and design of a state-of-the-art display case to ensure the slippers continue to transport visitors to the wonderful Land of Oz for years to come.

The #KeepThemRuby campaign hopes to raise $300,000 by Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016. With 28 days to go, nearly 3,000 backers have pledged almost $160,000. Previously, the Smithsonian partnered with Kickstarter to successfully raise funds for the conservation of Neil Armstrong’s spacesuit.

ABC’s Karen Travers met with Ryan Lintelman, a curator at the museum, to learn more about the Smithsonian’s campaign.