American History
Color Photographs of the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake
The National Museum of American History has just announced that it recently discovered what could be the first color photographs showing the devastation of the San Francisco earthquake, that nearly destroyed the city on April 18, 1906.The six (three here) photographs were taken by Frederick Eugene ...
March 11, 2011 |
By Beth Py-Lieberman
Thomas Jefferson's Bible Is Sent to the Conservation Lab
The little booklet is best known as "Thomas Jefferson's Bible. " But it is not a Bible like any other
March 10, 2011 |
By Beth Py-Lieberman
Q&A: Meet Kim Vandenbroucke, Toy Designer and Innovator
Kim Vandenbroucke is one brainy chick. And she's made quite a career out of it, creating and developing innovative gaming ideas for some of the biggest names in the business, including: Mattel, Hasbro, Cranium and Pressman Toy. Vandenbroucke, who will share her story this Saturday, March 5 at the A...
March 04, 2011 |
By Madeline Andre
Events: Be a Forensic Sleuth, Create Mailable Art and Indian Film
Friday, March 4: I Am God (Naan Kadavul)Director Bala has carved a name for himself by marching against all prevailing sensibilities in the Tamil film industry. His films speak of madness on the margins and the grotesque tragedy that accompanies it. The story is about Rudran, a fourteen-year-old ...
March 03, 2011 |
By Jesse Rhodes
It's March Already? Celebrate With Lions and Lambs at the Smithsonian
Last week, the ATM blog team started a new weekly feature called, “The List,” where we provide you with, you guessed it, a short thematic list of really cool things to check out around the Smithsonian. If the missed the first one, check it out here.So, in the spirit of change, let's talk about this...
March 02, 2011 |
By Arcynta Ali Childs
Tour the American History Museum With an American Girl
All around the Smithsonian, museums are commemorating the sesquicentennial of the Civil War in their own special ways— reexamining the oft-told narrative through exhibits, retrospectives, special programming, and even doll-inspired scavenger hunts.Last month, the National Museum of American History...
March 01, 2011 |
By Arcynta Ali Childs
The Cherokees vs. Andrew Jackson
John Ross and Major Ridge tried diplomatic and legal strategies to maintain autonomy, but the new president had other plans
March 2011 |
By Brian Hicks
Events: Music of Eastern Europe, Chinese Jade and a Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Lunder Conservation Center
Monday, February 28: Ira Aldridge: The African RosciusTonight's Cultures in Motion performance pays tribute to the life of celebrated 19th-century Shakespearean actor Ira Aldridge. The play examines the life of an African American who was forced to emigrate to Europe in the early 1800s in order to ...
February 28, 2011 |
By Jesse Rhodes
Events: An Evening of Classical Music, A Discussion on Slavery and More
Tuesday, February 22: Sketching: Draw and Discover: Luce Foundation Center for American ArtCome be inspired by the works on display at the American Art Museum and then spend some time sketching at the Luce Foundation Center’s workshop. Free, but bring sketchbooks and pencils. American Art Museum, 3...
February 22, 2011 |
By Jesse Rhodes
Weekend Events: George Washington, Student Sit-Ins and Remembering Japanese Internment During WWII
Friday, February 18: Historic Theater: Join the Student Sit-Ins at the Greensboro Lunch CounterIn this piece of interactive theater, learn what it was like to take part in a sit-in—a form of peaceful protest that was a hallmark of the Civil Rights movement. Meet a civil rights activist and take par...
February 18, 2011 |
By Jesse Rhodes
Events: Butterflies, Underwater Archaeology, Iranian Cinema and More
Monday, February 14: Butterfly PavilionThis Valentine's Day, why not take your sweetheart by the arm and take a stroll through this special exhibit area which is rife with exotic plants and live butterflies that hail from all over the world. Tickets are required. Rates are: $6 for adults; $5.50 for...
February 14, 2011 |
By Jesse Rhodes
Freedom Rides: A Civil Rights Milestone
Starting in the spring of 1961, new federal legislation that struck down segregation in America's transit systems was put to the test with a series of nonviolent protests known as the Freedom Rides. Civil rights activists both black and white boarded buses and ventured southward, stopping at termi...
February 09, 2011 |
By Jesse Rhodes
American History Museum Dances the Night Away With Van Halen's Guitar
A guitar played and made famous by Eddie Van Halen is now in the collections of the National Museum of American History.Edward “Eddie” Van Halen, 55, keyboardist, songwriter, producer and all-around rock star is best known for his innovative performing and recording styles popularizing techniques l...
February 08, 2011 |
By Madeline Andre
Happy Birthday, John Deere!
Unless, like my husband, you hail from a place like Nebraska, where it is common knowledge that Farmall tractors are candy apple red, New Hollands' are royal blue and Allis-Chalmers' are orange, I suspect that John Deere tractors, with their kelly green bodies and bright yellow hubcaps, are the onl...
February 07, 2011 |
By Megan Gambino
Events: Freedom Riders, Woo at the Zoo, American Indian Filmmaking and More
Monday, February 7: Contemporary Perspectives on Fiber and the Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef ProjectThe Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef on display at the Natural History Museum is a nexus of art, science and the fiber art community. Tonight, join a discussion with Jane Milosch, senior program office...
February 07, 2011 |
By Jesse Rhodes
Weekend Events: Open Mic Night, Weaving Workshops and a Celebration of Black History Month
Friday, February 4: Teenagers are Taking Over the HirshhornIf you're someone aged 12-21 and have a creative streak, come on out to the National Mall where the Hirshhorn is hosting an open mic night. Music, dance, comedy—the sky's the limit as long as you keep it PG, keep it fun and bring your own e...
February 04, 2011 |
By Jesse Rhodes
A Farrah Fawcett Day at the Smithsonian
Farrah Fawcett was America’s dream girl. With her sweet, southern smile and bright, bubbly California style, she captured the hearts of millions with her classic beauty and warm personality.And today, on what would have been her 64th birthday, members of her family were on hand to donate items from...
February 02, 2011 |
By Arcynta Ali Childs
Branson's Own Baldknobbers Donate Artifacts to American History Museum
Last week, the National Museum of American History added to its permanent collection artifacts donated by the Baldknobbers, a Branson, Missouri-based variety show, which was honored for its contributions to American entertainment and culture.The Baldknobbers, named after an 1800s vigilante group in...
February 01, 2011 |
By Arcynta Ali Childs
Wednesday Roundup- Test Your Knowledge: Benedict Arnold, Craig Newmark, Winning Stamps and More
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isI6wcAPhg0&feature=player_embeddedPatriot or Traitor? — In a recently opened play, "Time Trial of Benedict Arnold," the National Museum of American History explores the veracity of a widely accepted historical "fact" — that Benedict Arnold was a traitor. During t...
January 26, 2011 |
By Arcynta Ali Childs
A Look Back: The Kennedys 50 Years Ago
Acclaimed fashion and portrait photographer Richard Avedon brought his portable studio to the Kennedys' Palm Beach, Florida-compound on January 3, 1961, to take some photos for Harper's Bazaar and LOOK magazines. The atmosphere in the oceanfront home was hectic, or so I've read in accounts of the e...
January 20, 2011 |
By Megan Gambino
