National Museum of American History
Weekend Events Dec. 30-Jan 1: Treasures at the Museum, Flights of Fancy, and Last Day of ZooLights
This New Year's weekend, meet a children's book author and archivist, come to aviation story time, and catch ZooLights before it's over
December 30, 2011 |
By Joseph Stromberg
From the Collections, Sound Recordings Heard for the First Time
The National Museum of American History recovers sound from recordings that have been silenced for over a century
December 14, 2011 |
By Megan Gambino
Herman Hollerith’s Tabulating Machine
On this day in 1888, the groundbreaking tabulator machine was installed in a government office for the first time
December 09, 2011 |
By Joseph Stromberg
The Story Behind Plymouth Rock
Curator Larry Bird weighs in on the significance of Plymouth Rock—and the two pieces the National Museum of American History has in its collection
November 22, 2011 |
By Megan Gambino
Events Nov. 21-24: For All the World To See, Forensics Lab, Beyond Blackface and Thanksgiving
This week, get a guided tour of a fascinating exhibit, experiment in an interactive forensics lab, hear from a noted author and celebrate Thanksgiving
November 21, 2011 |
By Joseph Stromberg
Sandford Fleming Sets the World’s Clock
On this day in 1883, the railroads adopted a plan for standardized time zones. It all started when one man missed his train
November 18, 2011 |
By Joseph Stromberg
The Civil War 150 Years: Solomon Conn’s Violin Diary
A soldier's violin becomes a record of his war-time travels
November 03, 2011 |
By Joseph Stromberg
The List: Smithsonian-Inspired Halloween Costumes
For all you last-minute costume shoppers, here's this year's list of Smithsonian DIY ideas
October 27, 2011 |
By Megan Gambino
The Civil War 150 Years: Lord’s Famous Autograph Quilt
A Civil War teenager covers her quilt with the signatures of Union leaders
October 25, 2011 |
By Joseph Stromberg
Dizzy Gillespie and His Bent Trumpet
On this day in 1917, one of the most influential and unconventional American jazz musicians was born
October 21, 2011 |
By Joseph Stromberg
The List: Legends Play Ball at the Smithsonian
With the World Series set to start, see some of the all-time baseball greats in the Institution's collections
October 19, 2011 |
By Joseph Stromberg
The Transistor Radio Launches the Portable Electronic Age
On this day in 1954, the commercial introduction of the a new device revolutionized consumer electronics forever
October 18, 2011 |
By Joseph Stromberg
Musician Esperanza Spalding Donates Nobel Dress to the American History Museum
An up-and-coming jazz star donates the dress from her legendary performance at the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony Honoring President Barack Obama to the American History Museum
October 17, 2011 |
By Joseph Stromberg
Remembering Gay Rights Activist Frank Kameny (1925-2011)
The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History has artifacts from Kameny's early days in the gay rights movement in its collection
October 14, 2011 |
By Megan Gambino
The Many Contributions of Steve Jobs (1955-2011)
The extraordinary career of the entrepreneur is chronicled in the Smithsonian collections
October 06, 2011 |
By Megan Gambino
The Civil War 150 Years: The Washington Eight
After plotting to kill Lincoln and other Union leaders, a group of Confederate conspirators was put on trial
October 04, 2011 |
By Joseph Stromberg
Events Oct. 3-6: Butterfly Pavilion, Quiltmaking Demonstration, America in Black and White and African Drumming
This week, see exotic insects, learn a new craft, be part of a thought-provoking discussion on race and join a drum circle
October 03, 2011 |
By Joseph Stromberg
The Power of Imagery in Advancing Civil Rights
"Whether it was TV or magazines, the world got changed one image at a time," says Maurice Berger, curator of a new exhibit at American History
October 2011 |
By Arcynta Ali Childs
Weekend Events Sept. 30 – Oct. 2: Treasures at the Museum, Columbus Day Legacy, and Portrait Discovery
This weekend, get a book autographed, see a thought-provoking documentary, and see the Portrait Gallery in a whole new way
September 29, 2011 |
By Joseph Stromberg
The List: Medical Innovations at the Smithsonian
On the anniversary of the legendary discovery of polio, take a tour of the most significant medical inventions in history
September 28, 2011 |
By Joseph Stromberg
