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Batman, Jack Sparrow and Buddy the Elf 'live' in DC. Here's where you can see Hollywood's iconic memorabilia

Authentic props cherish inside the halls of the Motion Picture Association's headquarters at I Street in downtown D.C.

WASHINGTON — The District is well known for its free museums and centuries of history available at people's fingertips. But did you know that some of Hollywood's most iconic props also live in the city?

You can find them in a building on I Street in downtown D.C., hiding in the halls of what is the Motion Picture Association’s global headquarters is some of the coolest pieces of movie history.

The first thing most would notice upon entering is a giant statue of Batman himself. Specifically, it’s the prop used at the end of the 2012 film, The Dark Knight Rises.

Credit: Gio Insignares/MPA
A close up of the statue featured in the 2012 film, The Dark Knight Rises.

These items are part of the MPA's new renovation, featuring famous movie items going back decades. The organization receives each item through a partnership they have the respective Hollywood movie studios that are members of the organization.

According to the association’s website, the MPA is described as "the leading advocate of the film, television, and streaming industry around the world." The items featured serve as a preservation of that advocacy and history.

"The reason I wanted to bring the props in is because they represent the magic of Hollywood, and they each have a story," said Charles Rivkin, MPA Chairman and CEO.

"The story of our industry isn’t just the actors," he said. "These are caterers, construction workers, electricians. They are the industry as much to me as anyone else."

Credit: Gio Insignares/MPA
A look at the first floor of the MPA's global headquarters, featuring authentic movie props across Hollywood history.

Everything on display is 100 percent authentic. Some of the other items surrounding the first-floor hall include the Rockford Peaches uniform worn by Ann Cusack in A League of Their Own, the Heart of the Ocean necklace worn by Kate Winslet in Titanic, and George Clooney’s cowl from Batman & Robin.

"To be able to remind people here in Washington about who we are as a whole industry, not just the surface part of our industry, is very important to me," Rivkin said. "These iconic props and costumes that you see represent some of the most creative product that’s ever been made."

Credit: Gio Insignares/MPA
Buddy the Elf suit worn by Will Ferrell in the 2003 Christmas classic, Elf.

The MPA plans to open that hall to the public with open houses. The first open house is planned to happen within the next couple of months.

The organization also hopes to rotate the items on display, so what someone sees on one trip won’t necessarily be the same on the next trip.

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