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

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Slideshow Tags: history museums smithsonian usa washington-dc Posted: July 23, 2010 by Val

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.

American History Museum: second floor layout

One exhibition that attract attention of many visitors is "First Ladies at the Smithsonian." It displays many artifact related to the life of American Presidents' wives and various roles and responsibilities they have while in the eye of public. In our gallery below you can view several photos that can give you an idea how collections like this are actually displayed at the museum. By the way, when planning your visit, check the museum's Web site: there may be some interesting traveling exhibitions of great value and interest. For example, when we visited American History Museum to shoot some additional pictures we would like to put in our photo gallery, we were lucky to visit an exhibition dedicated to Harlem’s Apollo Theater and its significance as the its the epicenter of African American entertainment.

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. For example, although there are some artifacts and displays related to the territorial expansion to the West that took place in 1800s, there is no any cohesive exhibition dedicated to this fascinating era in the American history. Yet, "Power Machinery" collection, which is not really interesting even for many technically savvy visitors (many artifacts look the same), enjoys large floor area in the museum.

To finish with this brief overview of the second floor, I should probably mention that if you use the Mall entrance to the museum, that's the floor where you get first. By the way, the Mall entrance is much quieter even at peak hours than the main entrance where you may have to stay in line to pass security check. There is also an information desk near the entrance as well another museum store.

Second Floor: American Lives and American Ideas

American History Museum, 2nd floor, West wing. George Washington, sculpture by Horatio Greenough, 1840 is in the background	George Washington, sculpture by Horatio Greenough, 1840 in the style of Greek statue of Zeus. Many believe that this image of Washington is offensive.	A partial reconstruction of Abraham and Sarah Choates' on Elm Street in Ipswich, Massachusetts - it is a part of Within These Wall exhibition.	Within These Wall exposition reveals the life of ordinary people in the events and changes that shaped America. An 18th century tea table.
Another part of Abraham and Sarah Choates' home on Elm Street in Ipswich, Massachusetts reconstructed by American History Museum. It shows furnishing, equipment, some of home decor and details of the construction.	Inside the kitchen in house. Most of artifacts in this part of the reconstruction relate to early 20th century.	This is an amazing display showing the laundry process as it used to be and hard work associated with it. Soak, scrub, boil, rinse, rinse with bluing powder, dip in starch, hang to dry. That is where you start appreciate modern technology.	The promise of industrialization. Exhibition dedicated to Owners, mechanics and operatives (National Museum of American History)
Punching clock like this appeared in factories in late 1880s and are believed to be one of keys to efficient operations.	Machine tools like this opened a new era of massive industrialization.	Wheeler and Wilson treadle sewing machine, 1867 - another symbol of industrialization that revolutionized America.	Entrance to the exhibition on Jewish Immigrants: The promise of a New Life (National Museum of American History)
Documents, photos and artifacts related to the Jewish community in America.	The Peddling Life - a historical settings with a peddler cart and typical set of goods sold by travelling vendors.	Exhibition Promise Deferred: African Americans in Slavery and Freedom (National Museum of American History)	The Charleston Market - a historical setting at National Museum of American History.
In the slave cabin - another historical setting at National Museum of American History showing the reality of life in slavery	The "Sable Arm" - the story of African-American troops in the Union Army	Another landmark object at NMAH - the Greensboro (North Carolina) Lunch Counter representing 2/1/1960 sit-in that challenged segregated eating places.	Apollo Theater Exterior - it marks the entrance to a traveling exhibition dedicated to the history and cultural significance of Harlem's Apollo Theater.
Rooms like this projecting documentaries on various topics relevant to Museum exhibitions are scattered around various collections.	Inside the Apollo Theater exhibition featuring photographs and artifacts to trace the story of the theater as the epicenter of African American entertainment.	Display dedicated to Elvis Costello, British singer-songwriter, Tony Bennett, American singer, and C.P. Lacey, comedic dancer.	Apollo Theater has long tradition of association with Afro-American culture as a predominantly black venue. This display narrates about ideas of Pan-Africanism and such entertainers as Miriam Makeba, Bob Marley, Africa Bambaataa and Mongo Santamaria.
Inside Apollo Theater exhibition - rhythm and blues, soul jazz, rock 'n roll, cool jazz, funk, gospel, etc.	Celia's Cruz dress on display. The Queen of Salsa and a symbol of Afro-Cuban music fled to the US in 1959 following the Cuban revolution.	Dresses worn by the Supremes, one of the most successful 1960s singing groups: Cindy Birdsong, Diana Ross, Mary Wilson.	This guitar and jacket used to belong to Timmie Rogers, a comic, musician and songwriter.
Lucille, B.B. King's famous guitar. King is ranked by Rolling Stone magazine as No.3 of 100 greatest guitarists of all time.	Miles Davis' flugelhorn - he frequently headlined at the Apollo theater	Entrance to one of the two galleries with First Ladies at the Smithsonian exhibition	First Ladies at the Smithsonian exhibition explores various aspects of the first ladies lives, one of them is the timeline.
The first ladies exhibition has been one of the most popular attractions at NMAH - fashion and personal object like these Mamie Eisenhower's red satin shoes are one of the reasons.	Elizabeth Monroe's topaz necklace	Mamie Eisenhower's purse	Mary Lincoln's silver tea set - teapot, creamer, sugar bowl, cup and saucer
Lucy Hayes's gold damask and cream satin reception gown	Inside First Ladies at the Smithsonian exhibition	Part of the First Ladies at the Smithsonian exhibition is dedicated to First Lady's debut dresses. Here is Mamie Eisenhower's inaugural gown, 1953	Michelle Obama Jimmy Choo inaugural shoes. The size of shows is a secret.
The section of the NMAH is dedicated to "Better than Nature" theme than marked many aspects of the American life in 1950s - 1970s.	Atomic energy and everything atomic is a frequent topic in everyday life of many Americans. Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Lab (1950-1951) for kids was one of the most elaborate educational sets ever produced. It even included four types of uranium ore.	Family fallout shelter - a sign of the time and reality for many families in the United States in 1950s and 1960s.	Plastic materials invaded American lives in 1950s.
Postwar prosperity and technological achievements make lives of many Americans much better.	Various chemicals for killing weeds and pests are in each and every household. Weedone, DDT, Flit, Kryocide, you name it...	The Pill, symbol of better than nature attitude in 1950s and 1960s, was first released as Enovid in 1957 and approved for contraceptive use in 1960.	Science in the Public Eye, 1970 - the Present, is another exhibition at American History Museum reflecting the fact that increasing number of people by 1960s had begun to challenge the unbridle use of science and technology to manipulate nature.