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NEWS |
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With
a Fond Farewell, Museum Closes for Renovation
On
Labor Day, more than 15,000 visitors celebrated the Museum’s
last day, beginning with a presentation of the colors by the
Smithsonian Honor Guard and ending with Museum Director Brent
Glass saying goodbye to the final visitors. Other activities
included drawings for Museum memorabilia, docent-guided tours,
and Hands On Science Center activities. The Museum closed on
Sept. 5 for a two-year architectural renovation.
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Museum
Honors Sept. 11 Pentagon Flag with Formal Retreat
Ceremony
On Sept. 7, the Museum hosted an official
retreat ceremony for the Pentagon garrison flag as the Museum
begins its renovation and transformation. The flag was first
unfurled from the roof of the Pentagon the day after the Sept.
11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Since September 2002 it has been
on view in the Museum, on loan from the U.S. Army Center of
Military History.
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Recent
Publications
Although the Museum is closed to the
public for renovations, the work of the Museum continues as
staff carry out research projects that increase our
understanding of American history. Katherine Ott’s co-edited
volume, The
Scrapbook in American Life, was recently awarded the
Allen Noble award, given by the Pioneer Society of America for
the best edited volume on material culture. Other publications
by curators include Pete Daniel's Toxic
Drift: Pesticides and Health in the Post–World War II
South and Barton C. Hacker and Margaret Vining's American
Military Technology: The Life Story of a
Technology.
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EVENTS |
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Smithsonian
Chamber Music Society Begins 30th Season
The SCMS,
in residence at the Museum, offers two performance series
presenting musical masterpieces from the late 17th century to
the 20th century: "Masterworks of Four Centuries" and "The
Axelrod Quartet: Stradivarius and Amati." Performances feature
the Axelrod String Quartet, the Castle Trio, and special
guests. "Masterworks of Four Centuries," Sunday, Oct. 8, 7:30
p.m. Location TBA. "The Axelrod Quartet: Stradivarius and
Amati," Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 28 and 29, Renwick Gallery,
Smithsonian American Art Museum. Fee, tickets
required.
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Hispanic
Heritage Month at the Smithsonian
From Sept. 15 to
Oct. 15, the Smithsonian celebrates our nation’s rich Hispanic
cultural heritage with events in Washington, D.C., and New
York City. Programs include lectures, films, dance lessons,
food demonstrations, exhibitions, gallery talks, tours,
workshops, special programs for kids, and musical and theater
performances. View the calendar.
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Día
de los Muertos / Day of the Dead Festival
As part
of Hispanic Heritage Month, come celebrate this pre-Columbian
tradition of honoring the ancestors. Come learn, create art,
enjoy music and dance performances, and view films.
Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 28 and 29, 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.,
National Museum of the American Indian.
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EXHIBITIONS |
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“For
Which It Stands” in Chicago through Nov. 13
This
traveling exhibition poses two fundamental questions about the
role of the American flag in American life: What does the
American flag stand for? What does the flag mean to you? To
learn about some of the ways Americans have used the Stars and
Stripes to make statements or express ideas about their
country, visit the exhibition at the McCormick Tribune Freedom
Museum in Chicago through Nov. 13.
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“First
Ladies: Political Role and Public Image” in Pittsburgh through
Feb. 2007
Since the time of Martha Washington,
America’s first ladies have fascinated the nation. Through
historic photographs, period graphics, and personal artifacts
such as their gowns, the exhibition traces the social and
political accomplishments of many first ladies, as well as the
traditional responsibilities of the position. Visit the
exhibition at the Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional
History Center through February 2007.
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Online
Exhibitions
Did you know that you can connect to
many of our exhibitions any time on our Web site? You can
access over 40 online exhibitions on a wide range of topics
including the award-winning Web sites for The Price of
Freedom: Americans at War, Bon Appétit: Julia Child's
Kitchen at the Smithsonian, and A More Perfect Union:
Japanese Americans and the U.S. Constitution.
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ON THE WEB |
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“Whatever
Happened to Polio?”
This online exhibition tells
the story of the polio epidemic in the United States, the
development of a vaccine, current world efforts to stop polio
transmission, and the stories of survivors. During
October--National Disability Employment Awareness Month--take
a few minutes to explore some of the changes in American
medicine in the 20th century and the impact a disease can have
on society as a whole.
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Featured
Object: American Flag Lap Blanket
This commercially
marketed lap blanket was altered by disability-rights
advocates to include the universal access symbol made up of
hand-stitched stars. The disability rights movement emerged
after World War II as people with disabilities formed
communities and became politically active. This lap blanket
vividly conveys the message that civil rights belong to
all.
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FOR
EDUCATORS |
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Online
Activity: “Got Ramps?”
“Got Ramps?” invites
students to negotiate obstacles and challenges from a
wheelchair in 1955 and 2005, in order to illustrate the
changes in architectural barriers as a result of the
Architectural Barriers Act (1968) and the Americans with
Disabilities Act (1990). Visit our Classroom Resources Web
page to see how this activity was designed to connect with
National History Standards and then try it with your
students.
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FOR KIDS & FAMILIES |
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Try
It at Home Activity: Celebrate a Puerto Rican
Carnival!
Author Lulu Delacre tells the story of
the Ponce Carnival in her book "Vejigante Masquerader." The
main character, Ramón, longs to masquerade with his older
brothers. The bilingual tale tells the rich history of the
Carnival tradition of Puerto Rico. You can check this book out
from your local library. Then visit our Web site to learn how
to make your own Carnival mask, dress for Carnival, and become
a collector!
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SHOPPING |
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While the Museum’s stores are closed
for renovation, shop online at SmithsonianStore.com
for an assortment of merchandise based on our vast collection
of objects.
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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
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