National Museum of American History

On July 14^th we headed to D.C. to visit the National Museum of American History. Let me just say one thing here…wow. This museum was incredible and so well put together. We had already been there almost two hours and realized that we were still on the top floor! The exhibits were very amusing and put together in such a way that it just drew you in!

The exhibits we visited included:

· The Price of Freedom: Americans at War

· Changing America: The Emancipation Proclamation, 1863 and the March on Washington, 1963

· Continuity and Change: Fifty Years of Museum History

· Making a Modern Museum: Celebrating the Fiftieth Anniversary of the National Museum of American History

· NMAAHC Case: Marian Anderson

· Artifact Walls - The Early Sixties: American Culture

· Artifact Walls - The Early Sixties: American Science

· America on the Move

· The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden

· American Stories

· Artifact Walls - Celia Cruz

· Artifact Walls - You Must Remember This

· Conestoga Wagon and Hand-Pumped Fire Engine

· The First Ladies

· FOOD: Transforming the American Table 1950–2000

Some of our favorite things we saw are pictured below. Yes, I know there are a ton of pictures but I really did skim them down as much as possible!!

The Price of Freedom: Americans at War

The boys are always quick to recognize anything to do with George Washington now. And of course, any time we see one of his outfits or guns, we love it! Also, this exhibit walked you through every American War from the Revolutionary War all the way through to the War on Terror. We were able to see all kinds of historical documents on the wars including Conrwallas' surrender letter. We loved waking through the items of WWII - especially given that Zachary is so intrigued with Pearl Harbor right now. I was interested in reading all about nursing during the wars and what all they used to do during those times. Talk about some autonomy in medicine!! We also even saw a section of steel from the World Trade Center.

The Star-Spangled Banner:

On September 14, 1814, U.S. soldiers at Baltimore’s Fort McHenry raised a huge American flag to celebrate a crucial victory over British forces during the War of 1812. The sight of those “broad stripes and bright stars” inspired Francis Scott Key to write a song that eventually became the United States national anthem. Key’s words gave new significance to a national symbol and started a tradition through which generations of Americans have invested the flag with their own meanings and memories.

One of the COOLEST things we saw was the acutal flag that the National Anthem was written about. That was a very moving moment for several reasons! The flag is under strict protection though from light and other harmful sources, so pictures weren't allowed. Plus, it was kept in a very dark room which only added to the amount of respect and pride that you felt as you walked through the exhibit.

American Stories:

Highlights included Dorothy's red ruby slippers worn in the original The Wizard of Oz, slavery items and posters from the abolition of slavery movements.

America on the Move

Here is where we got to see all kinds of automobiles from years past. From trains, to boats, to slave passage ships, to campers to school buses, taxis, metro systems and old classic cars -- they were all there!