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NEWS |
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Munchkins
and the Scarecrow and Slippers, Oh My!
In a scene
reminiscent of holiday favorite “The Wizard of Oz,” “Lollipop
Kid” Jerry Marenghi and fellow munchkin Ruth Duccini welcomed
Dorothy’s ruby slippers and the Scarecrow costume to their new
home in “Treasures of American History” during a special
preview. The exhibition at the National Air and Space Museum
presents more than 150 icons from the Museum’s collections
while our building is closed for renovation.
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Special
Delivery: Stamp Act Teapot Comes to the Museum
The
Museum has acquired a pre-Revolutionary War teapot that
illustrates the political and commercial aspect of the
colonies’ relationship with Britain. Made in England between
1766 and 1770, the teapot is adorned with the phrases “No
Stamp Act” and “America: Liberty Restored,” expressing
colonial outrage over the Stamp Act passed by the British
Parliament in 1765.
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Museum
Elects New Board Members
The Museum recently
elected Philip Lader (left) and David M. Rubenstein (right) to
three-year terms. Philip Lader is the nonexecutive chairman of
WPP Group plc, a worldwide advertising/communications firm.
David Rubenstein is cofounder and managing director of The
Carlyle Group, a private equity firm. The Museum’s board was
established in 1996 and advises the director on programs,
exhibitions, facilities, development, and finance.
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TRANSFORMING THE MUSEUM |
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Help
Save the Star-Spangled Banner
The campaign is
officially underway! Your tax-deductible charitable
contribution will help ensure that the flag that inspired the
national anthem will be preserved and displayed for you and
future generations, within a new, state-of-the-art gallery in
the center of a dramatically transformed Museum. Learn how you
can help protect a national treasure!
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Crating
Collections for Safe Keeping
What happens when
100,000 museum objects must find new and secure homes during
major renovation work? The process of crating and moving
objects into storage, especially large artifacts that must be
dismantled, is an intricate, time-consuming process. Learn how
skilled workers package and move everything from a log cabin
to Disneyland’s Dumbo ride.
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EVENTS |
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Gas
Prices Got You Down? Revving Up Innovations in Fuel
Technology
With fuel prices and concern over global
warming heating up, what's being done to cool things off with
more efficient fuels and engines? NPR Talk's Moira Gunn
moderates a discussion with leading policy and energy experts
about challenges and opportunities in fuel innovation. The
event takes place at the Koshland Science Museum in
Washington, D.C., which is cosponsoring the program with the
Lemelson Center and the National Academy of Sciences'
Transportation Research Board. Thursday, Dec. 7, 6-8 p.m.
Advance ticket purchase strongly suggested. Seating is
limited.
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Special
Holiday Concerts
Smithsonian Chamber Music Society
artistic director Kenneth Slowik conducts Handel’s “Messiah,”
performed by the National Symphony Orchestra and the Cathedral
Choral Society, with soloists Christine Brandes, Jennifer
Lane, John Elwes, and Nathaniel Watson. John F. Kennedy Center
for the Performing Arts, Dec. 21-24. Tickets
required.
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EXHIBITIONS |
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Traveling:
“First Ladies: Political Role and Public Image” through Dec.
17
Featuring first ladies’ gowns and clothing,
personal belongings, White House furnishings, political
campaign materials, and other historical items, this traveling
exhibition examines the demanding roles of the presidential
partner and national hostess. On view at the Senator John
Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center until Dec.
17.
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Traveling:
“Produce for Victory” throughout December
World War
II posters helped mobilize a nation. Inexpensive, accessible,
and ever-present, the poster was an ideal agent for making war
aims the personal mission of every American. Twenty-six of the
Smithsonian's best wartime posters are reproduced in this
exhibition. On view at the Kaua'i Museum, Hawaii, through Dec.
13 and at the Randolph County Community Arts Center in Elkins,
West Virginia, through Dec. 31.
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ON THE WEB |
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Can’t See
“Treasures” in Person?
Can’t make it to the
National Mall to see “Treasures of American History” at the
National Air and Space Museum? Not to worry—the exhibition is
available for viewing online. Don’t miss our “Ask the Curator”
feature, where you can submit questions about iconic objects
such as Dorothy’s ruby slippers, Kermit the Frog, Abraham
Lincoln’s top hat, Lewis and Clark’s compass, Custer’s
buckskin coat, Thomas Jefferson’s Bible, and Edison’s light
bulb.
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Podcast: Ann
Moore, Inventor of the Snugli Baby Carrier
The
Museum publishes a twice-monthly free podcast from the
Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation
called “Prototype Online: Inventive Voices.” In this episode,
Ann Moore talks about the inspiration behind the Snugli baby
carrier, and how her invention changed the way many parents
carry their "precious cargo."
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FOR
EDUCATORS |
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You
Be the Historian
In this online activity, students
grades 4-12 can examine the objects left behind by the
Springer family, who lived in Delaware more than 200 years
ago. What can be learned about their lives? What could people
in the future learn from the things in your students’
homes?
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 Educators page
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FOR KIDS & FAMILIES |
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Be
a Movie Director!
Discover how transportation has
changed the way people live, work, and play over the past 125
years. Create your own movie online using photographs of
vehicles in the Museum’s collection, and then watch the movie
that you’ve created on the big screen.
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Featured
Family Object: Teddy Bear
President Theodore
Roosevelt made news by refusing to shoot a bear cub on a
hunting trip in 1902. Inspired by a political cartoon in the
Washington Star newspaper depicting Roosevelt with the cub,
the Ideal Toy Company created the "Teddy bear." In 1963 the
son of the toy company's founder presented one of the original
stuffed bears to Roosevelt's son Kermit, who later donated it
to the Smithsonian along with other mementos of his father.
(Note: You can visit the bear in person at the “Treasures of
American History” exhibition on view now at the National Air
and Space Museum.)
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Kids page
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SHOPPING |
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Treasures
A merchandise
kiosk just outside the “Treasures of American History”
exhibition (on view at the National Air and Space Museum) has
a wonderful selection of favorite toys, gifts, and books.
Visit on Sunday, December 10 and meet curator Peter Liebhold.
He will be signing copies of “Smithsonian Treasures of
American History,” a wonderfully illustrated book about the
exhibition.
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Holiday
Shopping
Shop online for holiday greeting cards,
toys, jewelry, and more at SmithsonianStore.com.
Members always save 10% at the Smithsonian store. Become
a member now.
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Copyright ©
National Museum of American History. All Rights
Reserved.
14th Street and Constitution Ave. NW, Washington
DC 20560
Brent D. Glass, director
Map
& Directions
Admission to the National Museum of
American History is FREE.
CONTACT US
General
Smithsonian Visitor Information: 202-633-1000
or see our Contact
List
Frequently
Asked Questions
Media inquiries: 202-633-3129 or
visit our Press
room |
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