Smithsonian National Museum of American History, First Floor: Science, Innovation, Technology and Transportation.

When you plan your visit to the American History Museum, you should be aware that it is organized by thematic collections. Although they are structured to represent important aspects of the American heritage, museum's exhibitions do not represent a consistent timeline in the history of the United States from the time when first settlements were founded up to the most recent historic events. It seems that the reason behind this approach is simple: it's much easier to narrate about separate aspects of the American history rather than present in one place the whole history of such big country as the United States.

- National Museum of American History: About the Museum
- National Museum of American History, First Floor: Science, Innovation, Technology and Transportation.
- National Museum of American History, Second Floor: American Lives and American Ideas
- National Museum of American History, Third Floor: American Wars and Politics

July 23, 2010

Smithsonian National Museum of American History, Second Floor: American Lives and American Ideas

Exhibitions on the second floor of the American History Museum are focused on social aspects of American history - American lives and ideas. Here you will find interesting exhibitions "Within These Walls..." and "Communities in a Changing Nation: The Promise of 19th-century America." There are several collections dedicated to African-Americans and exhibition related to Jewish immigration. But again, no matter how interesting current collections are, there are significant gaps in museum's presentations related to some even very important historic events.

- National Museum of American History: About the Museum
- National Museum of American History, First Floor: Science, Innovation, Technology and Transportation.
- National Museum of American History, Second Floor: American Lives and American Ideas
- National Museum of American History, Third Floor: American Wars and Politics

July 23, 2010

Smithsonian National Museum of American History, Third Floor: American Wars and Politics

Did you pay attention to those gray areas on maps with National American History Museum floor layouts? It seems like these are areas closed to public with displays not setup yet for public viewing. Just looking at maps, I would say that about 40-45% of the total floor space at the museum is not used currently for exhibitions. If this is true, I hope that there is an effort in progress to show visitors much more than what is shown now. I am talking about this, because currently only half of the third floor is used for it direct purpose - to promote understanding of the American history and in particular, such things as American wars and politics.

- National Museum of American History: About the Museum
- National Museum of American History, First Floor: Science, Innovation, Technology and Transportation.
- National Museum of American History, Second Floor: American Lives and American Ideas
- National Museum of American History, Third Floor: American Wars and Politics

July 23, 2010

Vieux Nice (Old Nice), France: Part 1 - Adjacent Areas and Cours Saleya

The original idea behind this photo gallery had much larger scope. I wanted to create a comprehensive photo guide to Vieux Nice (a.k.a Vieille Ville or Old Town Nice). However, the lack of time and proper organization of my effort resulted in something more modest. Still, I believe with the material I have it is possible to convey the atmosphere and environment of the Vieux Nice - area where the city of Nice (Nicaea) was probably founded around 350 BC by Greeks. See also Vieux Nice (Old Nice), France: Part 2 - The Heart of Old Town Feb. 16, 2010

Vieux Nice (Old Nice), France: Part 2 - The Heart of Old Town

We have just finished the first part of the Vieux Nice (Old Nice) tour at the end of Cours Saleya, a vibrant and touristy area with various markets and numerous restaurants and shops. We were moving from west to east towards a rocky hill with ruins of the castle and, nowadays, Parc du Château. Now, we are turning to the left to follow the labyrinth of narrow streets with terracotta color buildings until we reach place Rossetti, the heart of old Nice. See also Vieux Nice (Old Nice), France: Part 1 - Adjacent Areas and Cours Saleya Feb. 16, 2010

A Stroll around Buckingham Palace and Its Garden, London

No doubt, Buckingham Palace is one of the most interesting things in London to explore. State rooms, Royal Mews, The Queen's Gallery are usual tourist destinations. However, just walking around Buckingham Palace and Its Garden can be as interesting as visiting places mentioned above. Walking tours give a chance to get familiar with real life and its pulse with streets, people, buildings, parks, traffic, restaurants and bars, shops and their windows... You walk at your own pace observing and watching things that you will miss in museums and formal exhibitions. So, why not to spend several hours and explore what's outside Buckingham Palace - it's free, and you are not constrained by Buckingham Palace's rules and schedule. Feb. 11, 2010

Parc du Château, Nice, France - History and Surroundings (Part I)

La colline du Chateau (Castle Hill), considered to be the birthplace of the town of Nice, is an old fortified site that was occupied by Celtic Ligurians. During Middle Ages, the whole area became a formidable stronghold, Château de Nice, with mighty walls surrounding the lower part of the town (known now as Vieux Nice or Old Nice). The castle was dismantled in 1706 when, during the war of Spanish Succession, the area was occupied by France. It was converted into a park at the end of 19th century. Visit this photo gallery with brief historic notes, tips and area information. Part I of the photo gallery focuses on history and surroundings; Part II is dedicated to the park itself and Château de Nice. Jan. 3, 2010

Parc du Château, Nice, France - Le Château de Nice (Part II)

As we learned from Part I of the gallery, "Le Chateau" in Nice, France, isn't a chateau. The old castle on top of La colline du Chateau (a rocky hill overlooking Nice old town and the port) was destroyed in 1706. Still it is one of the main attractions in Nice and a great place to visit. Part I of the photo gallery focuses on history and surroundings; Part II is dedicated to the park itself and Château de Nice. Jan. 3, 2010

National Museum of Natural History - Hall of Geology, Gems and Minerals

Arguably, the Janet Annenberg Hooker Hall of Geology, Gems and Minerals is the most interesting of all 18 exhibition halls of the National Museum of Natural History. It is located on the second floor of the museum and occupies rather large space with seven thematic galleries. To explore the whole collection, you will need at least one hour and half. This article with a photo gallery provides an overview of what you can see in three (out of seven) of them: Harry Winston Gallery, Gem Collection Gallery and Minerals and Gems Gallery. June 29, 2009