 |
NEWS |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Environmental
Film Festival in the Nation's Capital
The films
presented at the Museum this year address America’s struggle
to balance preservation and development ("The Spirit of
Yosemite," "Discover Hetch Hetchy," March 19, David Vassar);
the human body and health ("Rolling," March 25, Gretchen
Berland, and "A Fight to the Finish: Stories of Polio," March
18, Ken Mandel); and unique culture ("On Solid Ground: The
River Rats of Arkansas," March 18, Ken Mandel).
Carmichael
Auditorium
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Inventing
America: The Legacy of Benjamin Franklin
1706–2006
The Museum's Lemelson Center continues to
commemorate Franklin's 300th birthday with a family
celebration. Part of the Smithsonian Kite Festival, the
activities will include hands-on demonstrations of Franklin's
science experiments, readings of a Franklin biography by
children's author Cheryl Harness, appearances by one of the
nation's leading portrayers of Franklin, and a display of
Franklin artifacts on view through April 17.
March 25
(rain date, March 26), 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Museum
Collects Hip-Hop History
In February the Museum
launched a new collecting initiative titled "Hip-Hop Won't
Stop: The Beat, The Rhymes, The Life." The initiative will
study hip-hop from its 1970s origins as an expression of urban
black youth culture to its status today as a global
phenomenon. The collection will draw objects from the wide
array of hip-hop culture and the individuals who helped create
it, such as Def Jam Records co-founder Russell
Simmons.
|
|
|
|
|
EVENTS |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Meet
the Filmmaker: "Rolling"
Following the screening of
the Environmental Film Festival presentation of “Rolling”--the
stories of three adults who filmed their lives in wheelchairs
using specially constructed cameras--filmmaker/physician and
2004 MacArthur Fellow Gretchen Berland leads a discussion
about the different reality of life in a wheelchair and the
very personal, real-life limitations of the Americans With
Disabilities Act.
March 25, 3-5 p.m., Carmichael
Auditorium
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Looking
American: Benjamin Franklin’s Suit
Curators and
conservators present a behind-the scenes look at the
three-piece silk “ditto” suit Franklin wore in 1778, the year
France signed the Treaty of Alliance with the United States.
As ambassador to France during the War of Independence,
Benjamin Franklin strategically used his appearance to promote
the American cause by wearing plain, unpretentious clothing
that symbolized the ideals of the new republic.
March 15,
12 p.m., Reception Suite
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Masterworks
of Four Centuries and Axelrod String Quartet
The
Smithsonian Chamber Players consort of viols performs a
celebration of Marin Marais (March 19, Hall of Musical
Instruments). The popular Axelrod String Quartet series also
returns to the refined atmosphere of the Renwick Gallery's
Grand Salon to celebrate Mozart's 250th birthday by presenting
selected quartets he dedicated to Haydn (March 25 and 26).
Visit the Resident
Associates Web site or call 202-357-3030 for
tickets.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Plan
Ahead for Jazz Appreciation Month
Throughout April,
the Museum celebrates its fifth annual Jazz Appreciation Month
with concerts, a poetry workshop, lectures, performances, a
day of swing dancing, two new displays, and an audio podcast
interview with jazz guitarist Pat Metheny. See the whole schedule.
|
|
 See all events and programs
|
|
|
EXHIBITIONS |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Honky-Tonk:
Country Music Photographs by Henry Horenstein,
1972-1981
Photographer Henry Horenstein captured
the end of an era of country music as the first and second
generations of country music artists were making their last
tours, and a new generation of listeners and performers were
embracing them. This exhibition of photographs depicts the
fans and performers of country music and the places where they
met. Opens March 10.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Celebrate
Women's History Month
First Ladies: Political
Role and Public Image portrays the demanding
responsibilities of presidential wives and hostesses and looks
at the relationship between the media and the woman in the
White House. Through historic photographs and personal
artifacts--including their gowns--the exhibition traces the
social and political accomplishments of many first ladies
while underscoring the traditional responsibilities of the
position.
|
|
See all exhibitions
|
|
|
ON THE WEB |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Setting
the Precedent: Four Women Who Excelled in
Business
Meet four American women who succeeded in
business in the twentieth century. Each woman--Freda Diamond,
Estelle Ellis, Dorothy Shaver, and Brownie Wise--was
exceptional in many respects. Each achieved a degree of
visibility in her field enjoyed by few other women and each
earned a comfortable living. The papers of each woman are
preserved in the Archives Center.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Featured
Object: 1955 Ford Country Squire Station
Wagon
Curator Roger White considers the importance
of the station wagon to the Museum's transportation collection
and defines the wagon as “the quintessential suburban vehicle”
for the 1950s family. Learn why this particular car was chosen
to represent a generation of American suburbanites.
|
|
|
|
|
FOR
EDUCATORS |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Great
Women of Our Pasts
Have you ever thought about the
women who have shaped who you are today? Celebrate Women's
History Month in your classroom by visiting our online
activity page. Teachers will find a bibliography of suggested
children's books about women's history. Kids will learn how to
interview family members about the great women of their pasts
and make a quilt square commemorating their own family or
community.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
¡Azúcar!
The Life and Music of Celia Cruz Online
Exhibition
Combining a piercing and powerful voice
with a larger-than-life personality and stage costumes, she
was one of the few women to succeed in the male-dominated
world of salsa music. Students can learn more about Celia
Cruz’s life and career through photographs, personal
documents, costumes, videos, and music. Teachers can download
lesson plans from the "Resources" section of the Web site:
Autobiography through Objects (Grades K-4), Design Your
Performance (Grades 5-8), Exile: Cuba and the United States
(Grades 9-12).
|
|
Educators page
|
|
|
FOR KIDS & FAMILIES |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Subway! An OurStory Program for
Preschoolers
How do you get from here to there?
Children ages 2-5 and their adult companions will discover
trains, trolleys, and subways at this special series of
OurStory programs. Families will listen to the story "Subway"
together, explore the America
on the Move exhibition, take a ride on a real "L"
subway car from Chicago, and take home a special activity
guide.
Thursdays, March 2, 9, 16, 30. 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Free, registration required. Register online
or call 202-633-3707.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Legendary
Coins Game
Designed especially for kids, "Lost in
the Coin Vault" is a fun way to learn about the study and
collection of coins, tokens, paper money, and related objects
like medals and other items used as money. Decipher clues,
explore history, and meet some unexpected
characters!
|
|
Kids page
|
|
|
SHOPPING AND DINING |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
After visiting our new photography
exhibition, Honky-Tonk,
stop by the Museum stores to brose the selection of CDs by
country musicians. And pick up "Honky Tonk: Portraits of
Country Music 1972-1981"; the book is out of print, but copies
are available in our stores.
On weekends in March the
Main Street Cafe will feature regional specialties from cities
along Route 66: deep-dish Chicago pizza, Austin steak chili,
Kansas City barbecue and mahimahi tacos from Los Angeles.
Learn more about dining
options at the Museum.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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 |
|
