National Museum of American History

April is Jazz Appreciation Month! This year, the National Museum of American History is highlighting and celebrating the career of John Levy.

In this episode of History Explorer, Sarah Coffee hears from Rayna Green about how curators working on the exhibit, Food: Transforming the American Table, 1950-2000,got out of the museum and did field research to capture the stories of ordinary Americans.

We’re going to go behind the seams to explore the many layers of the Museum’s latest acquisition—Elphaba’s dress from the Broadway Musical Wicked, which gave a new spin on L. Frank Baum’s well known book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

In August 2012, the Lemelson Center invited Rodney Mullen, the unquestioned leader and pioneer of street skating, to visit us to discuss the role of invention and innovation in American life.

In this episode of the History Explorer Podcast, Sarah Coffee talks with curator Rayna Green about what we can learn from seemingly simple line drawings about the lives and memories of Plains Indians who lived over 130 years ago.

Get a sneak peek at our 2012 symposium, “Political Machines: Innovations in Campaigns and Elections.” Eric Hintz provides an overview of the event, followed by interviews with Joyce Bedi on technology in political advertising, Eric Hintz on technology in political campaigns, Larry Bi

When the fashion industry declares that lime green is the new black, or instructs us to "think pink!," it is not the result of a backroom deal forged by a secretive cabal of fashion journalists, designers, manufacturers, and the editor of Vogue.

While he is predominantly known for his music, Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Famer Graham Nash has been a photographer for much of his life.

Going on a road trip? Along the way, listen to this special edition of the History Explorer podcast. It’s a compilation of some newer and older podcasts around the theme of perhaps the most common car ride entertainment—music.

Shannon Perich, curator of the photographic collection at the National Museum of American History, discusses the invention of the daguerreotype, a method of early photography.

Curator Eric Jentsch discusses the history of the Harlem Globetrotters, an all-African American basketball team that barnstormed through segregated America to become the world's most recognizable sports team.

Curatorial assistant Noriko Sanefuji interviews Grant Ichikawa, a US veteran who enlisted after being relocated to a Japanese American internment camp with his family in 1942. Allowed to join the army after a need for interpreters, Mr.

Museum curator Paul Johnston discusses the field of underwater archaeology and how the study of shipwrecks can add to our understanding of many areas and eras in US history.

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Curator in the Photographic Collection at the NMAH examines three unique photographic portraits, showing how portraiture and the creation of an image between sitter and photographer, can be used to express many ideas, beyond that of simply a picture of an individual.

Staff from the museum's paper conservation lab discuss the preservation and repair behind Thomas Jefferson's personal Bible and other paper objects at the museum.

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Former Senior Scholar and Associate Director for Curatorial Affairs, James Gardner discusses the museum's collection efforts and object stories follwing the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.

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You might remember Crockett Johnson as the writer and illustrator of Harold and the Purple Crayon. In this episode, curator Peggy Kidwell discusses how Johnson's mathematical artwork was inspired by a growing interest amongst Americans in math and science.

Katherine Ott, curator in the Division of Medicine and Science discusses this important anniversary and how it fits into the history of both science and our society.

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What can Julia Child’s kitchen teach us about accessible design? Bess Williamson, Ph.D.

Learn what it takes to develop a great National History Day project from some museum staff members who have judged the national level in the past. National History Day is an annual competition that engages students in the past through their own well-researched projects.

Christopher Wilson talks about the use of Freedom Songs during the Civil Rights Movement and how they are incorporated into public programs on the museum floor.
 

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Truck Farm began with Ian Cheney’s desire to grow food, without any land of his own, in a big city. The film (and the farm) became a powerful way of exploring inventive agricultural efforts throughout New York City, and showing how farming speaks to young people’s imaginations.

Curator Rayna Green discusses the history of the Thanksgiving holiday and how studying food can teach us about American history.

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Karen Lee discusses the history of currency in America--from using foreign money to the digital age.

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The U.S. Economic Development Administration is charged with building more globally competitive communities. As U.S.

Archivist Alison Oswald pushes us down the history aisle in her discussion on the invention of this everyday and oftentimes overlooked invention.

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Curator Hal Wallace talks about the development of the laser, an invention that has as many practical uses as portrayals in science fiction and fantasy.

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Curator Steven Turner discusses the work and shop of Henry Fitz, America's first commercially successful telescope manufacturer. Includes accompanying resources for classroom use.

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Curator Diane Wendt introduces us to one of the stranger objects in the museum's collection and gives an insight into cod liver oil and its ties to the history of brand marketing. Includes accompanying resources for classroom use.

Listen as archivist Reuben Jackson discusses the Sioux City Ghosts, an African-American travelling baseball team and swing band from the 1930's. Includes accompanying resources for classroom use.

In this episode of the History Explorer podcast series, learn about the invention of this fascinating instrument as Exhibition Program Manager Monica Smith discusses the history of the guitar and those involved in its creation.