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

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

American History Museum: third floor layout

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 (East wing of the 3rd floor). East wing of the floor which is supposed to exhibit artifacts and documents dedicated to Entertainment, Sport and Music is essentially empty at the current moment (July 2010) with the exception of couple of small and not very interesting collection of musical instruments and treasures of popular culture.

Still, we enjoy exhibitions dedicated to Americans at War, Abraham Lincoln, American Presidency located on this floor. I also think museum organizers did a really good job with a large exhibition called "Price of Freedom." Indeed something to look at and think about. For example, I was going from display to display dedicated to wars and cannot but thinking about our involvement in all these conflicts and their consequences. These thoughts reached culmination when I approach the New American Roles exhibition covering the period from 1989 to present times. It seemed like many of such roles were again linked (or it appeared so) to various wars. I've been thinking that yes, the freedom needs protection. But I am convinced that our "roles" go far beyond wars. I am a proud American, and I firmly believe that the United States leadership is a creative and positive force that inspires peoples and countries and gives hope where there is none. I would like this American "role" to be shown and explained much better than how it is done currently by the museum.

But I am convinced that thoughts like this are exactly why we need museums like this - to make us think, to wake up our imagination, and eventually to be able to build better future. I do invite you to browse our photo gallery dedicated to the museum especially if you have never been there. It's a good place to visit - allocate the whole day and come with your family. You will not regret the time spent.

Third Floor: American Wars and Politics

Dumbo car (1960s) displayed in the NMAH hall in front of its Entertainment, Sports and Music section on the third floor.	Five-course guitars by Jean-Baptiste Voboam and Joachim Tielke, 17th century.	The Dolls' house - a shelf-like model to display an imaginary dwelling created by Faith Bradford in 1932. It accommodates the miniature furniture that Faith collected since the age of seven.	Red Cross Ambulance, 1898, exhibited in the American Wars and Politics wing (3rd floor) of the American History Museum.
Susan and Elihu Rose Gallery - entrance to Abraham Lincoln exposition	Ulysses S. Grant purchased this carriage from Meeks Carriage and Wagon Repository during his first term in the White House and rode in it to his second inauguration in 1983.	Museum hall shown United States Presidential timeline.	American History Museum exhibition dedicated to the American Presidents and the institution of Presidency is vast. This room explains the many functions and responsibilities of a President of the United States.
Display dedicated to the death of Abraham Lincoln. His life bronze mask is exhibited here. It was cast in 1886 from the original mold taken from his face in 1860.	By the order of Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, eight Lincoln conspirators had to wear canvas hoods over their heads. All these hoods are on display at the American History Museum.	Street signs with names of American Presidents.	Kenneth E. Behring Hall of Military History. Kenneth Behring, a California businessman, make himself a history by donating to the museum totally $100 million dollars.
Entrance to Gunboat Philadelphia exhibition	Gunboat Philadelphia is the only surviving gunboat built and used by American Continental Army during the Revolutionary War.	Gunboat Philadelphia is one of the 15 small boats fought about 30 British vessels in Lake Champlain in 1776.	A straw man hung on a tree with the sign "Tax Collector". Hey, that's not what you think - that was American War of Independence (as the sign on the wall tells us).
American Revolutionary War occupies a prominent place in the NMAH. This display describes the Siege of Yorktown in October 1781.	Painting at museum symbolizing an enduring precedent set by George Washington: America's military is subordinate to civilian authority.	Americans at War - a large exhibition in the Americans History Museum.	Display dedicated to the bloody fight over slavery in Kansas that foreshadowed the Civil War.
Actual furniture from Appomattox Court House where in April 1865 Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant.	Another piece of the Civil War history - How to avoid The Conscript Bill by joining U.S. Navy: 1,000 men wanted for 12 months.	World War II exhibition in the American History Museum.	A historic setting - life of American soldiers during World War II.
Many battles America fought during World War II were in the Pacific Ocean against Japan.	Victory and peace in World War II followed by prosperity symbolized by the trend "live better in a home of your own".	The "Cold" war followed World War II. The Cuban Missile Crisis was one of the most dangerous confrontations between the United Sates and Soviet Union. Photos proving Soviet missile bases under construction in Cuba on display at NMAH.	Enlarged photos with Soviet missile bases during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
The Vietnam War exhibition - a reflection on passionate debate, political upheaval and social unrest the war provoked.	A historic setting representing wounded soldier during the Vietnam War.	New American Roles exhibition at American History Museum and its Americans at War section. It covers the period from 1989 to present times.	Authentic reproduction of the Berlin Wall built in 1961 to seal off Communist Eats Berlin from the free West and opened in 1989.
A fragment of actual Berlin Wall on display at the American History museum.	A memorial display dedicated to the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001.	An area dedicated to the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest award for valor in combat since the Civil War.