Museum Happenings This August at the National Museum of American History

Storytime, Music and More!

PROGRAMS 
 
Daily Programs: 
For details, visit the online calendar to see daily schedules for our free programs, including Spotlight tours, interactive demonstrations and chances to engage with experts throughout the museum.

Story Time with D.C. Public Library
Wednesday, August 26; 10:45 a.m.
Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza; First Floor, West 
 
The museum hosts a monthly “Story Time” in collaboration with the DC Public Library. Children, and their grown-ups, enjoy a story to explore language and literacy skills. “Story Time” is designed for learners ages 5 and under, but all are welcome. For more details, visit the website.
 
MUSIC
 
Music From the Hearts of America presents: 
“U.S. Marine Corps Jazz Ensemble” 
Thursday, August 6; Noon & 1:30 p.m.
Flag Hall; Second Floor, Center 
 
The Marine Chamber Orchestra continues to be a cornerstone of the historic artistic life of the White House and a representative of the rich and diverse musical heritage of America. “The President's Own” United States Marine Band will perform marches by John Philip Sousa, the band's 17th Director, also known as “The March King,” along with favorite American works such as “The Stars and Stripes Forever.”

Music From the Hearts of America presents: 
“Grupo Fenix” 
Saturday, August 8; Noon & 2 p.m.
Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza; First Floor, West

Grupo Fénix is a Washington, D.C., based musical trio that presents music from Latin America. They delight audiences with mariachi standards, such as “Cielito lindo” (“Beautiful Little Sky”) and “El rey” (“The King”), as well as South American hits like “Lambada” (Bolivia/Brazil), “Llorarás” (“You Will Cry”; Venezuela) and “La gota fría” (“The Cold Drop/Sweat”; Colombia) and provide context and history for notable selections.

Jazz Afternoon 
Tuesday, August 11; 1 p.m.
Nicholas F. and Eugenia Taubman Hall of Music; Third Floor, West
 
The National Museum of American History is home to jazz collections that include 100,000 pages of Duke Ellington’s unpublished music and such objects as Ella Fitzgerald’s dresses, Dizzy Gillespie’s angled trumpet, John Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme” manuscript and Benny Goodman’s clarinet. Visitors to the museum will engage with museum curators and see a small number of jazz treasures brought out of storage that represent the extraordinary heritage and history of jazz. During these Objects-Out-of-Storage events, musicians from the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra will host pop-up jam sessions, as well as interact with and educate visitors about their instruments and artistry.  

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:

This summer, Executive Chef, Mollie Kauffmann and her team are commemorating the nation’s 250th anniversary in both cafes with special menus, including themed hot dogs and sandwiches. The Eat at America’s Table Cafe is open for complete food and beverage service and will also offer a Summer Seafood Boil with shrimp, corn smoked sausage, red potatoes and Cajun butter, a Slow-Smoked Beef Brisket served as a sandwich or plate, Honey-glazed Sweet Potatoes, Green Tomato Tartine, Watermelon and Tomato Salad and a Three Bean Salad, including bell peppers, red onion, celery and a red wine vinaigrette. The Leroy Neiman Jazz Cafe will continue to offer Starbucks Coffee, hot and cold beverages, seasonal cafe favorites, and a selection of desserts. For more information, visit the website.

Bottled water is allowed in the museum. Refillable water bottles for fountains are recommended.
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, 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.