One of the four pairs of ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in the
1939 film “The Wizard of Oz.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — It will take more than three clicks of the heels to restore
the ruby slippers that whisked Dorothy back to Kansas at the end of “The
Wizard of Oz.”

The slippers, which for more than 30 years have been one of the most beloved
items at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, were crafted
almost 80 years ago by the MGM Studios prop department. Like most movie
props, they weren’t built to last. Now, the frayed shoes aren’t even ruby-
colored anymore — they’re more like a dull auburn.

The Smithsonian has asked the public to help save the slippers, launching
a Kick starter campaign to raise $300,000. In addition to restoring the shoes’
color, the money will go toward a technologically advanced display case that
will preserve them for future generations.

The Smithsonian’s museums are federally funded, but the institution frequently
solicits private and corporate contributions for major projects that its budget
doesn’t cover.