Changing America

Changing America is the new exhibit in the National African American History and Culture gallery located in the National Museum of American History. This exhibition parallels to huge events in American history that transformed our nation. The first event highlighted is the Emancipation Proclamation which was signed January 1, 2013. That section of the exhibition talks about what that meant for those enslaved and how their lives were transformed by the proclamation.
The second important event is the March on Washington (MOW) which occurred in 1963. In talking about the MOW, the exhibition also talks about several movements that led up to this great event. Marian Anderson singing at the Lincoln Monument, A. Phillip Randolph's failed attempt in the 1940s, and the major players in organizing the MOW like Randolph, Bayard Rustin, and others.

Exhibition Entrance 

Center Section/intro panel that shows the two different sections. I also like the A.P.R. quote. 

Harriet Tubman's shawl. 

Commemoration print of the emancipation proclamation

Another commemoration print. I actually did some research on this object as part of my internship.

Transitioning to MOW side with a wonderful MLK quote. 

A sign carried at the MOW 

Official MOW poster I believe 

The exhibition concludes with showing how the MOW also inspired other campaigns like the Poor People's Campaign, and the American Disabilities movement. 

 One of the coolest parts of this exhibition was the fact that several of the objects in the emancipation proclamation side I have done research on as part of my internship. It made my day to see them in person.
Overall, I think this is one of the best exhibitions that has been sponsored by the museum. However, my one complaint would be that it is slightly cramped mainly because of how small the gallery is. The walkway between the cases felt almost claustrophobic and I'm sure was at the minimum allowance for ADA requirements.

http://americanhistory.si.edu/exhibitions/changing-america

Time to Explore

Grad School has definitely put a damper into my blog writing. I think it's been over a year since I last updated, and I am feeling like there is a need for a change in direction. Working in museums over this last year where I have learned more and more about what good interpretation and informal learning looks like. In addition, I have been consistently asked what can museums do better, and how would I possibly change what museums are doing now. So this blog will probably get incredibly nerdy.

Of course the consequence of being in grad school for museum work means that I don't actually go to museums all that frequently. Life has a way of distracting you, and making you not want to spend even more time in a museum. However, there are some exhibits that I have been looking forward to opening, and I'm planning to go to during my winter break.

Food: Transforming the American Table, 1950-2000 at the National American History Museum
This exhibit contains Julia Child's kitchen (which I love) as one of the centerpieces. Check out the website

One Life: Amelia Earhart at the National Portrait Gallery
I have always loved Amelia Earhart, I guess being the daughter of a pilot will do that! In addition this exhibition also appears to have artifacts in addition to the various portraits!
The website 

A Will of their Own: Judith Sargent Murray and Women of Achievement in the Early Republic at the National Portrait Gallery
I just happened upon this by looking at the NPG website. The hilarious part is that my final project for my Historic Site Interpretation Class revolved around this very topic! Check out the website

While I am sure that I could add more, I find it bet when I limit myself to a couple exhibits, otherwise I get overwhelmed and can't concentrate on the various elements I've now been trained to notice. I'm really excited for this semester of school to be over, and hope that this break allows me to explore some new exhibitions!

Christmas at Mount Vernon

I was able to get the chance to go to Mount Vernon and see it decorated for the holidays. While in the 1790s they did not decorate like we think of Christmas decorations today. The decoration in the house was pretty much limited to evergreen bows over the windows, and the Christmas Camel on the lawn Aladdin. I just love going to Mount Vernon, and I now have an annual pass so I can go whenever I want!

The Thanksgiving Turkey

Aladdin the Christmas Camel

I love this house so much!

The Greenhouse

View of the Potomac from the Veranda

View of the Spinning Room. 

The Loom. G.W. was a huge proponent of homespun cloth for his Plantation. 

Mount Vernon in Gingerbread, Incredible!

Veranda View

It is so detailed, and looks exactly like the house!

One of my favorite spots. I can just picture the Washington family sitting out here, and watching the activity that passed by on the Potomac River. I am in awe when I stand here, and think about it. I'm so lucky to be able to go here whenever I want to. 

Welcome to 2012

Well I had a whirlwind end to the semester in December. All I can say is that it is over, and I survived the insanity. I was able to go home to Florida for a week and a half over Christmas. It was so wonderful to be home, and to see most of my amazing friends. I also got a Kindle for Christmas which is the only thing that I wanted! I really wanted to stay longer, but alas it was time to get back to the District, and my lovely job. I'm now in the midst of revamping my resume in the hopes that I can graduate to a real job at a museum anywhere.
Classes began on Tuesday, and so far I think I feel more comfortable this semester with the work load and with the type of work that I will be doing. I am taking Religion in American Culture, which will not only prove to be interesting. I also get to delve a little bit back into my Southern Religion books, and that is what I am most excited about. My life would be made if I could just study southern history, because that is where my history passion lies along with African-american history, and american women history. Hopefully I'll have more regular posts about my life here in the District and the few things I get to do for fun when I have time. I'm planning a Christmas at Mount Vernon post to be published shortly, get excited for a picture of the presidential pardoned turkey!

Last Moments of Fall

I originally wrote this post in November, but never got around to publishing it. So here is a look back to November.
I have experienced my first fall this season. I've absolutely loved it. I thought I would just share some images of fall I took on the way home from the metro the other day. It was a nasty day, but the leaves were everywhere. It was beautiful. This season has cemented my love of fall!

The City of Brotherly Love

 A few weeks ago I was able to go to Philadelphia to do research for a paper. I was able to do research as well as be a tourist as well. I had so much fun, and have fallen in love with Philly. I want to go back and spend more than a few hours. Regardless here are some pictures from my trip and I apologize for the overload.

Independence Hall. They are working on restoring the tower, and I think it is scheduled to be done soon. 

I don't remember what this is, but Philly has some gorgeous architecture. I love the pattern on the window above the door. 

If I remember correctly this is the building that the Philly/Independence National Park NPS Headquarters is located. 

Another architectural detail. 

An example of an English style garden? I just really loved this gazebo and pathway. 

I love the pattern on this gate. 

Part of "Bank Row" All of these buildings used to contain some of the first banks in Philly. Fortunately the buildings are still there!

This is the whole reason why I came, for this exhibit. This is the street entrance to the Presidential House exhibit.  The liberty bell center is in the background.

Me inside the exhibit. 

The dining room area. Each room is supposed to have mini vignettes about several of the slaves that lived at the Presidential House in Philly. The colored panel has a significant event that happened in the house? I was kind of confused by them, I didn't exactly know the significance of the events that were on some of the glass colored panels. 

Archaeolgoical remains of the Presidential House, and the structure that was built ontop in the early 19th centruy. the Rounded portion in the upper right corner is part of a window that George Washignton added to the house. 

NPS sign about the house, gave a brief summary, and is nice because of the visual of what the house used to look like. 

Independence National Park 

The Liberty Bell!

A George Washington Statue. Fun fact this one is also on the GWU Campus. This is a fun game to play. How many George Washington statues can you find!

This is the train board at the station in Philly. It's so old school. When I was in the station I felt like I was back in 1943 or something. It was magical, and I was totally romanced. 

The train station was beautiful!

So that was my trip to Philadelphia in a nutshell. It was the first time that I had taken a trip by myself, and I survived. I was a bit nervous, but it was wonderful. I do wish I had someone with me, but that's for another time. I was able to see the exhibit, and get more source ideas for my paper!

Mount Vernon

This semester I am taking a class at the Mount Vernon Estate. The class is entitled George Washington and His World. I really enjoy it, and I'm really excited to research and write my paper for the class! A couple of weeks ago we were able to actually tour the house! Mount Vernon is the nation's first house museum, so it's kinda considered the mecca of house museums. Many other house museums strive to be like Mount Vernon in their areas.
Because I am in the class, we were given a special tour by one of the curators. We were able to go into the basement, spend a little bit longer in 'the new room', and also go up to the third floor! The third floor is rarely seen because logistically you just can't get a lot of people up there, and it would really block the flow of traffic for a sight that gets millions of visitors a year. The third floor is pretty special though. It's where Martha Washington moved her bedroom to after the death of George, and also allows access to the coupola. The curator at Mount Vernon said there isn't anything that indicated that a ladder was stationed at the coupola like there is now, but it definetly provided light and air flow for the house. Regardless I got to go up into it and I took a few pictures of the grounds from that great vantage point! I appoligize in advance, these are from my phone so they of course are not the best quality.

The Mount Vernon website is full of information about the house and I would consider it one of the premier museum websites out there. There are all sorts of education information, trip planners, and even a virtual tour of the mansion. Check it out at http://www.mountvernon.org/