Calendar of Events - March 2016

Editor’s Note: All programs are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. The museum will operate extended hours March 18 - April 13, staying open until 7:30 p.m. on those days. Exceptions apply, visit https://americanhistory.si.edu for correct times.

New Display

Women on Money
Within Stories on Money
First Floor, East Wing
Opens March 18

The newest addition to the museum’s “Stories on Money” exhibition is “Women on Money” which will shine light on the vital contributions of women to national and world history. Historic women have appeared on money for nearly two millennia. Governments use coins and notes to commemorate women’s achievements in politics, social movements, and the arts and sciences, as well as to convey national ideas and ideals. This new section gives visitors the opportunity to explore the museum’s extensive numismatic collection in conjunction with the celebration of Women’s History Month.

The gallery also features “America’s Money,” which examines how money changed from colonial days to the present and explores the renaissance of American coinage.

Food Programming

Ask A Farmer
Friday, March 4; 2 p.m.
Friday, March 18: 2 p.m.
Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza

Join in a conversation with American farmers about their stories and hear directly about what motivates them, what challenges them and how they are innovating American agriculture. Using modern technologies to transcend the limitations of geography, this program brings together visitors with farmers in the field to facilitate a discussion and broader understanding of the American agricultural world.

American History (After Hours): Cooking Korean in America
Thursday, March 10; 6:30-9:00 p.m.; Tickets: $40
Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza
For ticket information: https://americanhistory.si.edu/topics/food/pages/american-history-after-hours

From the Korean Taco to Kimchi Burgers, Korean food is making itself known on American menus. But what is the history of Korean food in America? Join a conversation with Deuki Hong and Matt Rodbard, authors of the soon-to-be-released, “Koreatown: A Cook Book,” as they discuss the history of Korean cooking in the U.S. and its impact on American cuisine. Danielle Chang, author of “Lucky Rice: Stories and Recipes from Night Markets, Feasts, and Family Tables,” will demonstrate some of her favorite recipes. The evening features Korean-American inspired food and snacks as well as book signings.

Featured Events

Type-O-Rama
Friday, March 4; 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 5; 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

First Floor, West Wing

The Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project will highlight typewriters with the Austin-based “Typewriter Rodeo,” a group that creates poems on vintage typewriters. Visitors can get a personal poem* from the typing poets and see innovative typewriters from the national collections in a special out-of-storage presentation.
*Limited quantities of personal poems will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Museum Day Live! Inspiring Women and Girls of Color
America Participates Festival

Saturday, March 12, 11:00 a.m. 4:30 p.m.
Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza

History becomes Herstory in a festival celebrating the stories of young women and girls of color. Engage with music DJs and Hip Hop performances, conversations with successful business women, a food demonstration, poetry and student workshops (drop-in registration), special objects on display, self-guided and curator-led exhibition tours, Object Project games, an interactive cart for teens, and dynamic inventor activities in Spark!Lab.

11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. - Ongoing poetry workshop
Sofia Snow, a New York based spoken word artist, with Boston roots, will work with curator Fath Davis Ruffins to provide visitors with an understanding of poetry. Participants in the workshop will have an opportunity to create some poetry of their own.

11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. - Curator led tour
Business History Curator Kathleen Franz will lead visitors on a tour of American Enterprise to highlight stories of women entrepreneurs.

12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. – Panel discussion and performance
Curators from the National Museum of African American History and Culture will join in a panel discussion with hip hop scholar Martha Diaz and writer and performer Toni Blackman. The discussion will conclude with a performance by Blackman.

2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. - Food demonstration and book signing
This month’s Cooking Up History program features guest chefs Alice Randall and her daughter Caroline Randall Williams. The co-authors of the book “Soul Food Love” will demonstrate a recipe and discuss the history and traditions behind the ingredients and culinary techniques. “Soul Food Love” will be available for purchase in the museum and a book signing will follow.

3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. – Hip Hop performance
Visitors can watch a hip hop performance with Raquel Ra Brown, a D.C. based writer and performer, New York Hip Hop dancer and choreographer Ana “Rokafella” Garcia, D.C. area Latina DJ collective Maracuyeah DJs and Sofia Snow.

Performances

The Axelrod Quartet
Saturday, March 5, Sunday, March 6; 7:30 p.m.; pre-concert lecture at 6:30 p.m.
Hall of Music
For ticket information, visit: http://smithsonianassociates.org

The Axelrod Quartet — Marc Destrubé (violin), Marilyn McDonald (violin), James Dunham (viola) and Kenneth Slowik (violoncello) — presents Haydn: Quartet in E-flat Major, Op. 76, No. 6; Schubert: Quartet in G Minor, d173 and Quintet in C Major, d956 (with Norman Fischer, violoncello).

Masterworks of Four Centuries
Saturday, March 19 and Sunday, March 20; at 7:30 p.m.; pre-concert lecture at 6:30 p.m.
Hall of Music
For ticket information, visit: http://smithsonianassociates.org

The Smithsonian Chamber Players — Richard Mealy (violin), Phoebe Carrai (violoncello)and Kenneth Slowik (fortepiano) — present Haydn: Piano Trios.

Film

We the People: Making a More Perfect Union, One Generation at a Time
Daily, 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.*
Free
Warner Bros. Theater

The museum’s signature film “We the People” is a 20-minute celebration of the national ideals of democracy, opportunity and freedom. Stunning footage and a soaring soundtrack take viewers on a journey from past to present, honoring the visionary ideas, significant sacrifices and remarkable fortitude of the people who built our country, one generation at a time.  Produced by Smithsonian Channel.
*Show times subject to change, check: https://americanhistory.si.edu.

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 continuing to renovate its west exhibition wing, developing galleries on democracy, immigration and migration and culture. For more information, visit https://americanhistory.si.edu. The museum is located on Constitution Avenue, between 12th and 14th streets N.W., and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (closed Dec. 25). Admission is free. For Smithsonian information, the public may call (202) 633-1000.

Media only:

Amelia Avalos
avalosa@si.edu
(202) 633-3129