Smithsonian National Museum of American History, About the Museum

The National Museum of American History: Kenneth E. Behring Center is a very good place for kids and adults to start learning or to improve knowledge about American history. I also think that this museum can be interesting for visitors from other countries. American History museum is located on the National Mall, at 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. The Museum is open daily except December 25. Regular hours are 10:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. with extended hours until 7:30 pm during summer time. Admission is free and no tickets are required.

- 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, 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

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

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center - Premises, Entrance, Layout (Part 1)

The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (NASM)'s annex at Washington Dulles International Airport, Virginia, United States. Opened in December 2003, the Udvar-Hazy Center displays historic aviation and space artifacts, especially items too large for the National Air and Space Museum's building on the National Mall. March 17, 2008

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center - Boeing Hanger (Part 2)

We continue our exploration of The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center of Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (NASM)'s annex at Washington Dulles International Airport, Virginia, United States. Boeing Hanger is the largest space at Udvar-Hazy Center under one roof with many large and small flying machines on exhibit. Of 14 museum section, 10 are located in this hanger. March 17, 2008

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, National Mall Building

The Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum is one of the best - if not the best museum of its kind - in the world. It maintains the largest collection of air and space artifacts in the world. So, if you traveling in the U.S. and visiting Washington D.C., National Air and Space Museum collections and displays may open for you an interesting part of American history and culture even if you are not very much into rockets and airplanes. March 16, 2008

The United States Botanic Garden, Part 1: Review and Tips

When you are on the National Mall (the one that is in Washington DC) and looking at the US Capitol Building, you cannot but notice on the right side the glass dome of The United States Botanic Garden (USBG). Its Conservatory with various indoor gardens and very interesting and educational permanent and temporary exhibits makes this place a very popular attraction for adults and children. The USBG location and concept offer great flexibility in visiting the place - it can be your destination for the whole day; on the other hand, if you are in the area and on a harried schedule, just spend an hour enjoying wonderful flowers and other plants.
Part 1: Review and Tips
Part 2: Virtual Gallery - Orchids
Feb. 3, 2008

The United States Botanic Garden, Part 2: Virtual Gallery - Orchids

In Part 1 of the article on the United States Botanic Garden I mentioned the annual orchid exhibit that usually takes place from January to March. This virtual gallery of orchid photos taken during this event illustrates orchid diversity as well as mesmerizing and seductive beauty of the flower.
Part 1: Review and Tips
Part 2: Virtual Gallery - Orchids
Feb. 3, 2008