Calendar of Exhibitions and Events: September 2019

CLOSING:

"FOOD: Transforming the American Table"
Closes for updates Sept. 3
Opens October 25 - Indefinite
First Floor, East

“FOOD: Transforming the American Table” is an existing, permanent exhibition that explores the history of food and eating in the United States since 1950. A fall update will highlight new stories about changes in food itself as well as how we produce, prepare, and consume food and drink. In addition to many new objects going on display throughout, several completely new sections will debut:
The Migrant’s Table: a look at the impact of immigration and migration on food and communities in the United States since 1960;
Beer: An American History: the history of brewing in the United States is a story of immigration, urban change, technological innovation, and evolving consumer tastes;
On a Diet: exploring the exponential rise of diets and dieting advice since 1950 and the simultaneous increase of modern health problems relating to food;
Old Vines, New Blood: Since the 1950s, migrant families from Mexico have played a vital role in the California wine industry and since the 1990s, several  families have made the move from laborers to vineyard owners and winemakers.
Julia Child’s home kitchen, with its hundreds of tools, appliances, and furnishings will continue to serve as the opening story of the museum’s major exhibition on food history.

EXTENDED:

“Superheroes”
Extended through January 2020
First Floor, East

 
This showcase display presents artifacts from the museum’s collections that relate to superheroes, including comic books, original comic art, movie and television costumes, as well as props and memorabilia. For more information, please visit https://americanhistory.si.edu.

HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH:

"Cooking Up History: The Mexican Food Revolution"
Guest Chef: Carlos Salgado
Sept. 20; 1-2 p.m.
Wallace H. Coulter Plaza Demonstration Kitchen
First Floor, West

 
In this cooking demonstration, Guest Chef Carlos Salgado will prepare recipes that explore the past and present of Mexican regional food cultures in the U.S. It will relate to "The Mexican Food Revolution" section of the museum’s “FOOD” exhibition, which explores the influence of Mexican and Mexican American food entrepreneurs on U.S. cuisine from 1950 to the present. For more information, visit: http://americanhistory.si.edu/topics/food/pages/cooking-history.

History Alive! Theater Programs:

Womens History Theater Programs are offered in conjunction with the Smithsonian’s American Women’s History Initiative, #BecauseofHerStory. 

"Justice Must be Done"
Wednesdays; 12:30 and 2:30 p.m.; On hiatus Aug. 23–Sept. 9
"Within These Walls" exhibition
Second Floor, West

Attend an 1840 meeting of the Ipswich Female Anti-Slavery Society in abolitionist Lucy Caldwell’s Ipswich, Massachusetts home.

"Votes for Women"
Thursdays and Saturdays; Noon, 1 and 2 p.m .; On hiatus Aug. 23–Sept. 9
Near the “American Democracy” exhibition
Second Floor, West
 
Meet a suffragist and learn about the fight for the 19th Amendment which granted most women the right to vote.
 
"Meet the Wheelwoman"
Fridays; Noon, 1 and 2 p.m.; On hiatus Aug. 23–Sept. 9
First Floor, West

Meet wheelwoman Louise Gibson as she takes her bicycle on a journey to discover opportunities for women in the 1890s.

"Join the Student Sit-Ins"
Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays; 12:30 and 2:30 p.m.
Wallace H. Coulter Unity Square
Second Floor, West


This program is centered on the display housing the Greensboro Lunch Counter, where four African American men sat in nonviolent protest of segregation in 1960. Visitors will learn the practice of nonviolent direct action.

"Shouts!"
Begins June 23

Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays; 12:30 and 2:30 p.m.
Third Floor, West


Sing along with “ring shouts”— which originated from 19th century enslaved African Americans—and inspired new forms of religious and secular music.

DAILY PROGRAMS:

"Wegmans Wonderplace"
Open daily, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; closed Tuesdays
First Floor, West

The museum’s early learning gallery for children 0–6 connects important themes of the museum’s collections with children’s play and learning. Wonderplace provides young children with open-ended play opportunities that allow them to explore and learn at their own pace and interest level. For more information, please visit: https://americanhistory.si.edu/wonderplace.

"Draper Spark!Lab"
Open daily, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; closed Tuesdays
First Floor, West

Draper Spark!Lab reveals the real story behind inventors’ work through hands-on activities infused with historical content that help kids ages 6-12 explore the history and process of invention. Hosted by the museum’s Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation, Spark!Lab’s interdisciplinary activities appeal to varied learning styles and abilities and combine traditional STEM with art and creativity.
 
Activities for the new “Produce” theme explore how we use our creativity to construct solutions to different challenges, environments, needs and purposes, and tweak existing inventions for more than one use. For more details about current Spark!Lab activities, please visit http://invention.si.edu/current-sparklab-activities.

Interactive Carts
Daily; 10:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Throughout museum

Interactive carts throughout the Museum allow visitors to interact with history and learn more about our collections. Carts are available most days; daily schedules are available at the museum's Welcome Center on the second floor and the Information Desk on the first floor. More information on daily programs and events is available at http://americanhistory.si.edu/events.

ABOUT THE MUSEUM:
Through incomparable collections, rigorous research and dynamic public outreach, the National Museum of American History explores the infinite richness and complexity of American history. It helps people understand the past in order to make sense of the present and shape a more humane future. The museum is located on Constitution Avenue N.W., between 12th and 14th streets, and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (closed Dec. 25). Admission is free. For more information, visit http://americanhistory.si.edu. For Smithsonian information, the public may call (202) 633-1000.

Media only:
Rebecca Seel
(202) 633-3129