Added: 10/26/2005 |
Touch the living history of America in the National Museum of American History.national museum of american history
Washington is not only a capital of the United States but also the heart of the American life and the main keeper of the American values.Many of the museums most important for the nation are gathered on the National Mall,14th Street and Construction Avenue,
N.W.,Washington,D.C.All of them collect,preserve and display the treasures and achievements of the Americans,being the central storage of the country's memories and developing the spirit of the nation.But the most important of them is surely the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.This is the place where you and your children would deepen into the living history of the country with its real objects,explore the real facts and events that have shaped the American nation.
Now the National Museum of American History preserves more than three million artifacts among which you can find President Lincoln's top hat,the small portable desk on which
Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence or Dorothy's Ruby Slippers from "The Wizard of Oz".The Museum was designed by the renowned architectural firm of McKim,Mead,and White and built on the National Mall. Due to this fact and its location the very building of the museum became an item listed on the National Register of Historic Places.Opened in 1964 the Museum constantly develops and enlarges its archives,provides exhibitions,public programs,educational activities,collections,and research facilities.The Web site of the museum allows to make virtual visits and enjoy displays online.The Museum's area of 750.000 square feet consists of a basement,three main exhibition levels and two office-collection levels,and receives more than four million visitors each year.The divisions of the museum are Information Technology and Communications;Medicine and Science;Military History and Diplomacy;Home and Community Life;Work and Industry;Music,Sports and Entertainment;Politics and Reform and Capital Campaign and Development.The public programs include Jerome and Dorothy Lemenson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation,New Media Program,developing the Museum's site and online exhibitions,and programs investigating the African American Culture and the Latino History and Culture.
Today the National Museum of American History numbers 35 ongoing exhibitions covering the enormous variety of themes such as "Disneyland:The First 50 Years","Whatever Happened to Polo?","The American Presidency:A Glorious Burden","On Stage and Backstage:Women in Jazz" and many others.The
latest permanent exhibition is "The Price of Freedom:Americans at War."It surveys the U.S. military conflicts and their role in the history of the country.
Besides exhibitions you can visit demonstrations,lectures,tours,storytelling and festivals.In the Hands On Science Center your participation is welcome in intelligence tests,using lasers to see how they work and other activities.Moreover,the American History Museum offers the wide
range of musical performances by jazz orchestras,gospel choirs,folk and blues singers,Indian artists and so on.
It is important to mention that the Museum started the major renovations in 2004 when the
third-floor Military History Hall was updated.In 2006 the second phase of the major renovation will start,this will influence the displays and exhibitions' schedule.The prime aim of the coming phase is to create a dramatic new gallery for the Star-Spangled Banner.The gallery is planned to become one of the most exciting and monumental exhibition areas,also it should serve a
comfortable home with the special temperature,humidity and lightning for the fragile flags of the honourable past.The terms for the third phase of renovations have not been set yet.All in all,the work will improve lightning and acoustic in the public places,update the heating,conditioning and security systems, brighten the décor and support better access and view on the items.
The normal operating hours of the National Museum of the American History are10 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.daily.To learn what is on and what is not go to: http://americanhistory.si.edu/visiting/hours.cfm
To learn about location and transport go to:
http://americanhistory.si.edu/visiting/gettinghere.cfm
Also you can learn about the ongoing and upcoming displays and visit the exhibitions online here:http://americanhistory.si.edu/exhibitions/index.cfm?category=online
Article comments:
No comments for this article yet. Post your comment now!
