Mark Your Calendar: Women’s History Month, Programs, Jazz and More at the National Museum of American History

PODCAST

“Collected: The Musical Genius of Black Women”
Final Episode Release March 6
Apple Podcasts and other platforms 

Season two of the museum’s “Collected” podcast will conclude on March 6 with its final episode in a season that looks at Black women entertainers on the mainstream musical stages of American popular music.  The host, museum curator Krystal Klingenberg, will bring together scholars, music critics and authors to bring perspective to a pantheon of women who changed the popular culture soundscape. Over six-weeks, audiences will learn about the evolution of the musical careers of Ella Fitzgerald, Tina Turner, Donna Summer, and Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon.
 
ONLINE PROGRAMMING

“Latinas Talk Latinas,” an online educational video series
Launches March 6
Latinas Talk Latinas | National Museum of American History

“Latinas Talk Latinas,” will launch its third season March 6, introducing viewers to the lives of four Latinas as told by curators, historians and educators across the Smithsonian. This spring season will explore stories of contemporary Latinas working in Spanish-language media and journalism. It is connected to the “¡De Última hora! Latina Journalists Report Breaking News” exhibition at the museum which is on view through mid-August at the National Museum of American History. A joint production of the museum and the National Museum of the American Latino, the series will feature four episodes and will be available on the two museums’ respective websites. The “Latinas Talk Latinas” videos are accompanied by digital educational resources that enhance learning about the featured women. The videos feature Dunia Elvir, Lori Montenegro, Teresa Rodriguez and Martha Tijerina, who have shaped the narrative for millions of viewers as they covered national and local historic events on Telemundo and Univision. The videos may be accessed at Latinas Talk Latinas | National Museum of American History.
 
PROGRAMS
 
Power of Giving 2025 Symposium: “Women in Philanthropy” 
March 12, 1 – 4:30 p.m.
Warner Bros. Theater, First Floor Center
Free, Registration at http://bit.ly/4gt9Jt1
 
This museum’s Philanthropy Initiative brings historic perspectives to contemporary discussions about the role of women in shaping and reshaping the nation through various forms of giving during its 10th annual symposium. The “Women in Philanthropy” program will look at how from the early days of the Republic, women have come together to mobilize resources, support communities and advance causes. As well as examine how that history informs the work of today’s women philanthropists to catalyze change. The program will open with a conversation between Businesswoman and Philanthropist Adrienne Arsht and Smithsonian Regent Emeritus David M. Rubenstein; Other panels will bring together historians, including the museum’s curator of philanthropy, Amanda Moniz as well as gender lens social impact investors Tuti B. Scott and Jaime Gloshay. 
 
History Film Forum presents 
Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act
March 13; 7 p.m.
Warner Bros. Theater, First Floor, Center
Free, for details and to register, visit the events calendar

The Museum’s History Film Forum in collaboration with the American Experience PBS will offer a screening of Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act, a documentary that looks at the emotional and dramatic history of the decades-long push for equality and accessibility that culminated in the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990. While curb cuts, ramps at building entrances and braille on elevator buttons seem commonplace today, they were hard won. Told through the voices of key participants and witnesses, the film brings to life one of the great civil rights movements in American history. The program will include a special pre-release screening of the film followed by a moderated panel discussion with the film’s producers and director, along with objects out of storage from the museum’s collections relating to disability rights and the ADA.
 
CHAMBER MUSIC

Smithsonian Chamber Music Society Presents: Masterworks of Five Centuries
Note location: St. Mark’s Episcopal Church (Capitol Hill)
Sun. March 16, 2025, 7:30 – 9:30 p.m.
301 A St. SE, Washington, DC

The 48th season of the Smithsonian Chamber Music Society presents musical masterpieces from the late 16th century to the cusp of the 21st, played on some of the world’s most highly prized instruments. This concert features Ferruccio Busoni’s Berceuse elegiague; Gustav Mahler’s Kindertotenlieder; Richard Strauss’ Metamorphosen; and Osvaldo Golijov’s Tenebrae. This concert will feature vocalist Mischa Bouvier and Kenneth Slowik as conductor.
To purchase tickets:
https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/scms-masterworks-1P0863
Members: $32; Non-members: $36

Smithsonian Chamber Music Society Presents: 
Masterworks of Five Centuries
Nicholas and Eugenia Taubman Hall of Music
Sat. March 29, 2025, 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Sun. March 30, 2025, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

The 48th season of the Smithsonian Chamber Music Society presents musical masterpieces from the late 16th century to the cusp of the 21st, played on some of the world’s most highly prized instruments. This concert features 4-hands Music of Franz Schubert, played by Naoko Takao and Kenneth Slowik on fortepiano.
 
To purchase tickets:
Sat. Mar. 29: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/scms-masterworks-1P0858
Sun. Mar. 30: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/scms-masterworks-1P0864
Members: $32; Non-members $36
 
JAZZ

“Daily Music: U.S. Army Strings 75th Anniversary Celebration”
Featuring the U.S. Army Jazz Trio

Thursday, March 6; Noon and 2 p.m.,
Flag Hall, Second Floor Center

The U.S. Army Strings are celebrating 75 years of music, service and patriotism and will offer special performances at the Museum throughout the year that inspire and unite. The U.S. Army Strings Jazz Trio is a unique combination of violin, guitar and double bass. Formed in 2023, their instrumentation creates a distinctive sound that allows listeners to experience jazz in a fresh way and offers a thrilling mix of jazz standards and American Songbook favorites.

“Daily Music: U.S. Army Strings 75th Anniversary Celebration”
Featuring the US Army Quartet
Saturday, March 8, 1 p.m.
Nicholas F. and Eugenia Taubman Hall of Music, Third Floor West

The U.S. Army Strings are celebrating 75 years of music, service and patriotism and will offer special performances at the Museum throughout the year that inspire and unite. The U.S. Army String Quartet provides an intimate audience experience and will offer a lively program that looks at the past, present and future of American music, including Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 4, Op. 18, Jerome Kern songs, “Elegy” by Elliott Carter, “Carrot Revolution” by Gabriella Smith, and “Yankee Doodle” in commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the historic Lexington and Concord battles of the American Revolution. 

VISITING

What to know:
The museum is open seven days a week, except Dec. 25, between 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Admission is free, and passes are not required. For more information, go to https://americanhistory.si.edu/visit

Food: 
The Eat at America’s Table Cafe is open for complete food and beverage service, featuring a mouthwatering Women’s History menu based on Julia Child’s cookbooks, including Coq Au Vin, Ratatouille, special sides and Clafoutis for dessert. The LeRoy Neiman Jazz Cafe serves light lunch and delicious pastries as well as hot and cold beverages, including Starbucks coffee. For more information, visit the website.

Bottled water is allowed in the museum. We recommend bringing a refillable water bottle for fountains.
Stores: Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

ABOUT THE MUSEUM
Through incomparable collections, rigorous research and dynamic public outreach, the National Museum of American History seeks to empower people to create a more just and compassionate future by examining, preserving and sharing the complexity of our past. The museum, located on Constitution Avenue N.W., between 12th and 14th streets, is open daily except Dec. 25 and in 2025, Jan. 20, between 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Admission is free. The doors of the museum are always open online and the virtual museum continues to expand its offerings, including online exhibitions, K–12 educational materials and programs. The public can follow the museum on social media via Instagram and Facebook. For more information, go to https://americanhistory.si.edu. For Smithsonian information, the public may call (202) 633-1000.

Amy Kehs | READ MORE

Amy Kehs is a brand strategist and communications expert for museums.