SITES and American History

The Smithsonian National Museum of American History (NMAH) reopened on November 21 after a massive renovation of its grand entry corridor and its key exhibition gallery--the Star Spangled Banner display.

A colleague and I crossed the blustery National Mall a few days for an official look at the new building. In a word, the new space is BRIGHT, a far cry from the dark, catacomb-like interior of the 1960s museum. The entrance from the Mall side is spacious and modern, making use of reflective glass and metal, but the real eye candy is most certainly the Star Spangled Banner gallery. "Upon entering this exhibition, visitors are immersed in the Battle of Baltimore, which inspired Francis Scott Key to write his famous lyrics. The almost 200-year old, 30 x 34"-foot flag is displayed in a special environmentally-controlled chamber, while an interactive table with a tactile image allows visitors to investigate key details of the flag and how it was made."

Beyond this central space, the museum offers visitors a smorgasbord of historical delights. At SITES, we're particularly fond of the first ladies gallery. In fact, the traveling version of First Ladies, on the road from 2004-2007, was one of our most popular exhibitions--as was the American Presidency, another collaborator effort with NMAH. Our commitment to american history, both the museum and the topic, is strong.

We're currently working with NMAH on three other diverse exhibitions, including Bittersweet Harvest: The Bracero Program, 1942-1964, about the Mexican agricultural work program that was enacted as a stopgap measure for labor shortages during WWII. We're also traveling two shows that document notable politicians and world events: Diana Walker: Photojournalist--a behind-the-scenes look at the administrations of several presidents, from Gerald Ford to Bill Clinton and The Kennedys | Portrait of a Family: Photographs by Richard Avedon, presenting some of the most candid images of the young first family ever taken. 

If you're in D.C. go to the American History; if you're looking for american history in your neck of the woods, check out a SITES/American History show today.