See famous comedy props and costumes on display at the new National Comedy Center

By Dan Snierson
August 01, 2018 at 02:32 PM EDT

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See famous comedy props and costumes at the National Comedy Center

Credit: Everett Collection (2); NBC/NBCU Photo Bank

Jerry’s puffy shirt from Seinfeld. Garth’s Aeromsith T-shirt from Wayne’s World. Lucille Ball's polka-dot dress from I Love Lucy. Tracy Jordan’s EGOT necklace from 30 Rock. Iconic comedy artifacts are no laughing matter — or actually, they are, and the National Comedy Center is the place where you can find them. The 37,000 square foot, $50 million non-profit immersive museum unspools the history of comedy from vaudeville times to the current day with 50-plus interactive exhibits and a treasure trove of highly amusing artifacts. Take a private tour of some of the famous pop-culture props and costumes, past and present, that are housed in the National Comedy Center, which opens on Aug. 1. Located in Jamestown, New York — the hometown of Lucille Ball — the center fulfills the dream of the late legend of laughter to preserve and celebrate the best of comedy. Start scrolling and give some, well, props to the genre.

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Aerosmith T-shirt worn by Garth (Dana Carvey) from Wayne's World

Credit: Comedy Center

Courtesy of Paramount Pictures Archive

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Dr. Egon Spengler's (Harold Ramis) Ghostbusters suit 

Credit: Comedy Center

Courtesy of the Ramis Family

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Lucy Ricardo's (Lucille Ball) polka dot dress from I Love Lucy  

Credit: Comedy Center

Courtesy of Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum and Desilu, Too

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George Carlin's Grammy Award for FM & AM

Credit: Comedy Center

Couresty of Kelly Carlin

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Johnny Carson mug used on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

Credit: Comedy Center

Courtesy of Johnny Carson Enterprises

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Lenny Bruce's trenchcoat

Credit: Comedy Center

Courtesy of Kitty Bruce

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Lenny Bruce's typewriter 

Credit: Comedy Center

Courtesy of Kitty Bruce

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Lily Tomlin's "Ernestine" wig from Laugh-In

Credit: Comedy Center

Courtesy of Lily Tomlin and Jane Wagner

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Rodney Dangerfield's signature red necktie and suit jacket

Credit: Comedy Center

Courtesy of Joan Dangerfield

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Jerry Seinfeld's puffy shirt from Seinfeld 

Credit: Comedy Center

Courtesy of Jerry Seinfeld and George Shapiro

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Professor Julius Kelp/Buddy Love's (Jerry Lewis) gold jacket from The Nutty Professor

Credit: Comedy Center

Courtesy of Paramount Pictures Archive

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Phyllis Diller's gown from 1987  

Credit: Comedy Center

Courtesy of Allen County Historical Society

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Capt. Rex Kramer's (Robert Stack) pilot's jacket from Airplane! 

Credit: Comedy Center

Courtesy of Paramount Pictures Archives

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Charlie Chaplin's cane used in 1915 Essanay comedies

Credit: Comedy Center

Courtesy of Chicago History Museum

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"Weird Al" Yankovic's accordion

Credit: Comedy Center

Courtesy of Al Yankovic

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Gilda Radner's Roseanne Roseannadanna letter from Saturday Night Live

Credit: Comedy Center

Courtesy of Alan and Robin Zweibel

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Gavin MacLeod’s script for the "Chuckles Bites the Dust" episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show

Credit: Comedy Center

Courtesy of Pepperdine University Libraries

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Cady Heron's (Lindsay Lohan) "Santa Belle" dress from Mean Girls

Credit: Comedy Center

Courtesy of Paramount Pictures Archive

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Bob Hope's Korean War ID card, U.S. Military Assistance Command ID card, Motion Picture Industry War Activities Committee Medal of Honor, and camouflage "Combat Entertainer" jacket

Credit: Comedy Center

Courtesy of World Golf Hall of Fame

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Sugar Ray's (Richard Pryor) tuxedo from Harlem Nights

Credit: Comedy Center

Courtesy of Paramount Pictures Archive

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Tracy Jordan's (Tracy Morgan) EGOT necklace and The Tracy Jordan Meat Machine from 30 Rock

Credit: Comedy Center

Courtesy of NBCUniversal Archives and Collections

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Karen’s (Megan Mullally) flask, Will’s (Eric McCormack) law degree, and garden gnome from Will & Grace 

Credit: Comedy Center

Courtesy of NBCUniversal Archives and Collections

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Jim’s (John Krasinski) Dundie, Dwight’s (Rainn Wilson) Employee of the Month award, and Michael’s (Steve Carell) cat puppet from The Office  

Credit: Comedy Center

Courtesy of NBCUniversal Archives and Collections

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Duke Silver’s (Nick Offerman) saxophone from Parks and Recreation  

Credit: Comedy Center

Courtesy of NBCUniversal Archives and Collections

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