Can you tell me how to get to Sesame Street?
Sesame Street was an innovative and radical children's television program when it premiered in 1969. In the 1960s, many parents were...
How black Philadelphians fought for soldiers during World War I
Suffering from "shell shock and a general breakdown," Charles Mackall and James Randall arrived in Philadelphia in September 1918 from...
Culture in the colonial classroom: A failed attempt at assimilation
As our Philanthropy Initiative continues to explore the history of giving, we're eager to share stories of success and failure. This story...

Blog

Living history
I recently got back from a family vacation to Virginia’s “Historic Triangle,” where we visited Colonial Williamsburg, the Jamestown...
Who foots the bill?
Everyone who visits the Smithsonian Institution appreciates the fact that there is no charge for admission to any of our fantastic museums...
The 194th anniversary of the Star-Spangled Banner
Today is the anniversary of Francis Scott Key’s writing of the “Star-Spangled Banner.” In light of this important occasion, I’m going to...
Celebrate Defender's Day!
If you’re in the Baltimore area this weekend, head to Fort McHenry to check out their amazing Defender’s Day celebration. It’s a...
To Thinkfinity....and beyond!
When I started my new job at the museum in the spring of 2007, we had just received a grant from the Verizon Foundation and had joined...
The beauty of everyday history
The Archives Center supports the mission of the National Museum of American History by preserving and providing access to documentary...
Passing the 90-day mark
We talk a lot about the structural improvements to the museum, and we’ve mentioned a bit of how operations will be improved, but everyone...
Back(side) to the future
When the museum reopens, one of the more notable visitor amenities will be the renovated Stars & Stripes Cafe. Every aspect of the cafe...
Yes, we really do think about everything...
The new chamber that we’re building to display the Star-Spangled Banner is intended to be a permanent home for the fragile flag. So we’ve...
Don't try this at home
When I try to build things, it usually involves a lot of trial and error. If you are a fellow amateur do-it-yourselfer, you probably know...
Wag more, bark less
I saw that slogan on a bumper sticker this morning on my way to work and I thought it was a pretty great description of the changes we’re...
It’s taking shape before our eyes - but what is it?
The "Bird's Nest" National Stadium in Beijing?  A new death-defying roller coaster?  Frame being prepared by the...
Olympic feats
Jim Thorpe. Gertrude Ederle. Sonja Henie. Bobby Morrow. Muhammad Ali. Michael Jordan. Brian Boitano. Bonnie Blair. Kristi Yamaguchi....
Home is where the heart is
Each year, dozens of interns find a home at the museum.  As an intern in the New Media Program this summer, I have assisted with the...
Putting the prong in place
A few days ago the museum took another step toward our reopening by installing the giant prong that will hold up the abstract flag....
What’s your favorite version of the Star-Spangled Banner?
The centerpiece of the museum’s renovation is the brand-new state-of-the-art home for the Star-Spangled Banner. Yes, the Star-Spangled...
The light at the end of the tunnel
It has certainly been exciting around the Museum lately.  As a member of the External Affairs team, I often provide tours of the...
Announcing the Big Date
Last week we finally answered everyone’s most burning question: When will the museum reopen? November 21! At a much anticipated press...
Food for thought
When the museum reopens, visitors will clamor to see the Star-Spangled Banner (the flag that inspired the national anthem), they’ll admire...
Moments of fame on The Today Show
Within hours of the museum announcing our grand reopening date of November 21, the staff got this email message: “This is your chance to be...
History in the making
Welcome to the National Museum of American History’s new blog!  As the director of the museum’s New Media Program, and “editor-in-...
Behind the Scenes with Director Brent Glass
Museums change lives. When I was ten, my parents brought me to the Smithsonian for the first time.  They were children and...

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