Jazz Giants, a Yorktown Flag and Hmong New Year at American History in November

Also on the calendar: See “In Pursuit of Life, Liberty & Happiness” before it closes at the end of the year, catch a John Sayles film talk, or a tavern history tasting.

NEW DISPLAY

“Ansbach–Bayreuth Regimental Flag”
“Price of Freedom” exhibition
On display Nov. 11
Third Floor, West

The Ansbach-Bayreuth Regimental Flag is a white silk damask military flag made in 1775 for a German mercenary unit that was raised to support the British crown in North America. It was surrendered at Yorktown on October 19, 1781, and is one of the few surviving Revolutionary War trophy flags. Following recent conservation, the reverse of the flag will be replacing the side of the flag that has been on display in “Price of Freedom,” a major ongoing exhibition showcasing the museum’s vast collections related to the military history of the United States.  

ONGOING EXHIBITIONS

“Route 66”
Within the “America on the Move” exhibition
First Floor, West

Celebrating its centennial, Route 66 was conceived in 1926 as a public throughfare linking the Midwest, Southwest and Southern California. It served as a conduit for mass migrations of workers, farmers, and their families. A 50-foot section of Route 66 was moved by Oklahoma truckers in 2000 and is on display in “America on the Move” a major ongoing exhibition showcasing the museum’s vast collections related to the evolving history of transportation in the United States.  

“In Pursuit of Life, Liberty & Happiness”
Ongoing, through the end of 2026
Location: Throughout the National Museum of American History

CLOSING SOON! The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History will lead the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations with a bold, immersive exhibition exploring the ideals of the Declaration of Independence. “In Pursuit of Life, Liberty & Happiness,” features 250 objects, across 250,000 square feet of the museum’s three public floors, including the desk Jefferson used to draft the Declaration of Independence; the oldest surviving intact American fighting vessel, the gunboat Philadelphia; and the Star-Spangled Banner the 1813 flag that inspired the National Anthem. A free guide is available to help locate the artifacts, which range from the 1700s to the 21st century.

INNOVATION & INVENTION

Lemelson Center presents: 
“Musical Innovations in the Age of AI” 
Wednesday, Nov. 4; 6:30 p.m.
Warner Bros. Theatre; First Floor Center
Get Tickets/Register: www.eventbrite.com…

In this free public program, the museum’s Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation  will explore how new music and a composer’s work has changed in the age of AI. Featuring speakers, inti figgis-vizueta and Maya Ackerman, moderated by David Hajdu, they will discuss the possibilities and pitfalls of AI-assisted songwriting. A light reception with book and vinyl LP signing will follow.

FOOD HISTORY

The Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage presents:
“Rhythms, Roots, Recipes: Hmong New Year” 
Sunday, Nov. 8; 1 p.m.
Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza; First Floor, West

“Rhythms, Roots, Recipes: Community Stories of Food and Music” is a series that brings together cooking demonstrations, live music and storytelling. Each program will explore traditions that animate families and communities across the United States. Visitors will experience an afternoon celebrating Hmong New Year with Chef Diane Moua, owner of Diane’s Place in Northeast Minneapolis. To learn more about the series, visit the website.

After Hours at the National Museum of American History: 
“Brewing a Revolution”
Friday, Nov. 13; 6:30 – 9 p.m.
Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza; First Floor, West

A panel of historians and industry experts will explore the role of taverns and coffeehouses as spaces of civic life, hubs of economic development and centers of regional and local identity. Visitors will hear about the evolution of these social institutions and their influence on American culture and sample five historic and modern brews alongside small bites. Tickets are $35 and include small bites and five drink samples. Speakers include Favio Garcia, brewery manager of Dynasty Brewing Company, Leesburg, Virginia; Michelle Craig McDonald, historian, educator and author of “Coffee Nation: How One Commodity Transformed the Early United States”; Mike Stein, brewer, author, historian, and co-creator of the research firm Lost Lagers; Thor Cheston, co-founder of Right Proper Brewing Company, Washington, D.C. The featured tastings will include craft been from Dynasty Brewing Company and Right Proper Brewing Company;1 cold brew coffee by Kenia Euceda Canales, coffee director of Cameo at the Roost and 1 coffee cocktail by Show of Hands bar at The Roost; along with themed snacks and appetizers.

Tickets are $35 and can be purchased online.

The Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage presents:
“Rhythms, Roots, Recipes: Ho-Chunk Nation” 
Saturday, Nov. 21; 1 p.m.
Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza; First Floor, West

“Rhythms, Roots, Recipes: Community Stories of Food and Music” is a series that brings together cooking demonstrations, live music and storytelling. Each program will explore traditions that animate families and communities across the United States. Visitors will experience an afternoon of Indigenous/Ho-Chunk with Chef Elena Terry, the Executive Chef/Founder of Wild Bearies in Wisconsin. To learn more about the series, visit the website.

FILM

History Film Forum Presents:
“American Sons” (2025)
Thursday, Nov. 5; 7:30 p.m.
Warner Bros. Theatre; First Floor Center

The History Film Forum will present “American Sons.” The documentary follows a brotherhood of Marines a decade after their deployment to Afghanistan, as they struggle to overcome the trauma of combat and the loss of their best friend, Cpl. JV Villarreal. Villareal’s narrated, first-person video diary of his life in Afghanistan serves as both a window into these Marines’ past and a testament to the unbreakable bonds of those who sacrifice in war together. A panel discussion will follow with Cpl. William “Billy” Branch, Marine Brother, April Villarreal Rodriguez, Gold Star Sister and producer, Laura Varela and director and producer, Andrew James Gonzales. This film has sensitive content. Visitors under 17 require an accompanying parent or adult guardian. Visit the website for more information.

History Film Forum Presents:
“Amigo” (2010)
Thursday, Nov. 12; 7:30 p.m.
Warner Bros. Theatre; First Floor Center

The History Film Forum will present the movie “Amigo.” A Filipino leader, played by Joel Torre, must decide whether to keep the peace with American troops occupying his village or join the insurgency with his brother and son. A discussion with director, John Sayles, will follow the film. This film has been rated R, or “Restricted” by the Motion Picture Association. Visitors under 17 require an accompanying parent or adult guardian. Visit the website for more information.

History Film Forum Presents:
“Join or Die” - Civic Engagement and Democracy  (2025)
Thursday, Nov. 19; 7:30 p.m.
Warner Bros. Theatre: First Floor Center

The History Film Forum will present a screening of the Emmy-nominated Netflix documentary “Join or Die”, a film about civic engagement and democracy. The film follows the half-century story of America’s civic unraveling through the journey of legendary social scientist Robert Putnam, whose groundbreaking “Bowling Alone” book and research into America’s decades-long decline in community connections could hold the answers to our democracy’s present crisis. A conversation with the film's producers will follow the screening. Visit the website for more information.

MUSIC

The Smithsonian Chamber Music Society Presents:
“The Axelrod String Quartet – Stradivarius and Amati”
Sunday, Nov. 1; 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Nicholas and Eugenia Taubman Hall of Music; Third Floor, West

The 50th season of the Smithsonian Chamber Music Society showcases musical masterpieces from the early 17th to the middle of the 20th century, played on some of the world’s most highly prized musical instruments. Smithsonian Chamber Music Society audiences have the unparalleled experience of hearing two magnificent quartets of instruments—one made by Antonio Stradivari, the other by his teacher Nicolo Amati. This concert features Mark Fewer and Marc Destrubé, violins, Joan DerHovsepian, viola, and Kenneth Slowik, cello in a performance of the Quartet in G Major, Op. 54, No. 1 by Haydn; the Quartet in A Minor, Op. K 464, the “Drum” by Mozart and the Quartet in A Major, Op. 18, No.5 by Beethoven.  

Tickets: Members $32; Non-members $36
Sun. Nov. 1: The Axelrod String Quartet: Stradivarius and Amati (Sunday series) - Smithsonian Associates

The Smithsonian Chamber Music Society Presents:
“Masterworks of Five Centuries Series”
Sunday, Nov. 22, 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Nicholas and Eugenia Taubman Hall of Music; Third Floor, West

The 50th season of the Smithsonian Chamber Music Society showcases musical masterpieces from the early 17th to the middle of the 20th century, played on some of the world’s most highly prized musical instruments. This concert features Drew Minter, baritone, and Kenneth Slowik, fortepiano, in a performance of “Winterreise” D. 911 by Franz Schubert.

To purchase tickets: Members $32; Non-members $36
Sun. Nov., 22: Masterworks of Five Centuries Series - Smithsonian Associates

Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra Presents:
“100 Years of Jazz Giants”
Saturday, Nov. 7, 7 p.m.
Warner Bros. Theatre: First Floor Center

Nineteen twenty-six was the birth year of a generation that would permanently change the course of jazz history. A centennial celebration shines a spotlight on the jazz legends who left an indelible mark on the musical landscape. In this performance, the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, the big band ensemble in residency at the National Museum of American History, honors the groundbreaking musical artists who make up “the class of 1926.” Selections include “Gravy Waltz” by Ray Brown, “The Gypsy” by Melba Liston, and “Hi Fly” by Randy Weston.

Tickets: Members $30; Non-members $40
Sat. Nov., 7: Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra - 100 Years of Jazz Giants - Smithsonian Associates

STORY TIME

Story Time with D.C. Public Library:
“Giving Thanks, Native American Heritage Month”
Wednesday, Nov. 18; 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. This November, children, and their grown-ups, can enjoy a story about giving thanks and Native American History month 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.

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 fall, Chef Francisco and his team will bring the cozy fall flavors to Eat at America’s Table Cafe. Open for complete food and beverage service daily, the menu will include Cedar-roasted Salmon with a maple and juniper glaze and house-spiced Bison Meatloaf with smoked bacon and a wild mushroom demi-glaze, Three Sisters Succotash and a Wild Rice and Mushroom Pilaf and a Creamy Corn Polenta and Wild Mushrooms will be available as sides.

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 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.