Overview
Peace doesn’t just happen—it’s imagined, built, and lived. Peace by Design invites visitors to examine how peace takes shape—in bold posters, in small acts of service, and in the words of poets. Peace is not abstract here; it is lived, printed, and performed. Peace by Design transports visitors into the early years of the Peace Corps, where idealism met design, citizen-to-citizen diplomacy, and the enduring power of art.
The interactive exhibit is designed to introduce the general public. Visitors are invited to explore three thematic areas:
Designing Peace
Bold Peace Corps posters from the 1960s–70s by artists including Peter Max and Norman Rockwell captured the optimism and imagination of a generation determined to serve.
Peace in Practice
Stories, photographs, and artifacts from Peace Corps Volunteers in Iran (1962–1976) illuminate everyday acts of diplomacy—teaching, listening, and learning across cultures.
Poetry and Shared Humanity
Verses from Persian poets such as Rumi and Forugh Farrokhzad, paired with writings from Returned Peace Corps Volunteers, bridge centuries of reflection on compassion and connection.
Images
Videos
Plan Your Visit
Location
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
901 G Street NW, Washington, D.C.
5th Floor
Dates
October 4, 2025 – January 6, 2026
Free and open to the public.
Sunday: 1:00 pm-5:00 pm
Monday: 9:30 am-9:00 pm
Tuesday: 9:30 am-9:00 pm
Wednesday: 9:30 am-9:00 pm
Thursday: 9:30 am-9:00 pm
Friday: 9:30 am-5:30 pm
Saturday: 9:30 am-5:30 pm
Presented By
The Museum of the Peace Corps Experience in partnership with the DC Public Library and the Peace Corps Iran Association.
With special thanks to Peter and Barbara Deekle, the Peace Corps Iran Association, and Dr. John E. Fleming, to whom this exhibition is dedicated.
Learn More
Read the full press release
Visit the MLK Jr. Library Website
Contribute your object and story to the Museum
