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Dreams do come true: Smithsonian's Ruby slippers project passes $300K goal

Smithsonian officials are 'over the rainbow' after reaching their fundraising goal to help preserve the ruby slippers from The Wizard Oz.

Smithsonian to announce a stretch goal involving a character who travelled with Dorothy

The famous ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in the Wizard of Oz have been on near-constant display at the Smithsonian Mueseum of American History since 1979. A fundraising campaign aiming to raise $300,000 US for preservation efforts has surpassed its goal in a week. (Karen Bleier/AFP/Getty Images)

Smithsonian officials are "over the rainbow" after reaching their fundraising goal to help preserve the ruby slippers from The Wizard Oz.

The Smithsonian launched a Kickstarter campaign last week to raise $300,000 US to help preserve the slippers that whisked Dorothy back to Kansas at the end of the movie.

Officials say they reached their goal late Sunday night thanks to more than 5,300 supporters in 41 countries across six continents.

As of the morning of Monday, October 24, 2016, donors to the Smithsonian's "Conserve Dorothy's Ruby Slippers" campaign pledged more than $301,000 US on Kickstarter. (Kickstarter)

They say they'll announce a stretch goal Monday involving a character who travelled down the yellow brick road with Dorothy.

The slippers have been one of the most beloved items at the National Museum of American History.

The Smithsonian wants to put the money toward a technologically advanced display case that will preserve them for future generations.