O Say Can You See?

Scenes from the front line

Wearing my red director’s badge, I have plunged back into the throngs of visitors in the first month since we reopened to gauge how they are responding to the transformed museum. I have personally met hundreds of people from around the world and they all have strong reactions to what they are seeing. One woman from Hong Kong cried when she saw the Star-Spangled Banner, “even though I am not an American.” On the other hand, some visitors who loved our previous displays are dismayed when they fail to find one of their old favorites. We can’t always address their concerns, but I do pay attention and I will make changes whenever possible.

The biggest surprise for me has been the terrific reception for living history programs that take place throughout the museum. The holiday music program was a spectacular success and I loved it when visitors sang along with the performers. The sit-in experience at the Greensboro Lunch Counter has been especially engaging for visitors of all ages. I am amazed and pleased at how many children are staying after the performance and asking questions of our very patient actor. He is so effective in his role as an organizer of non-violent protest that the museum’s security detail tried to escort him from the building on his first day (we had failed to inform them that we would have this piece of theatre on a regular basis).

For me, the display of the Gettysburg Address remains a highlight of the first six weeks since our reopening. I cannot think of a single speech that better expresses what it means to be an American or represents the hopes and aspirations of the American Dream. The fact that thousands of visitors can see this document for themselves has given me great personal and professional satisfaction.

Brent D. Glass is Director of the National Museum of American History.

Si señor!

¿Habla Español? You can now get information in Spanish about the Museum—what to see, how to get here, and what to do! In an effort to reach out to our ever-growing number of Spanish-speaking visitors the museum has created a Web page En Español that provides information—in Spanish—about museum hours, programs, exhibitions, amenities, safety, and security.

Spanish translations of several major exhibitions such as the The Gettysburg Address, The Star Spangled Banner, The American Presidency, and First Ladies at the Smithsonian are also available as easy-to-download PDF files.

Help us spread the word about these resources among your Spanish speaking neighbors and friends.

Para informacion en español, visite En Español.

Magdalena Mieri is director of the museum’s Program in Latino History and Culture.

Bringing new light to history--on the outside

It was in the year 1882 when Thomas Edison’s assistant, Edward Johnson, developed the idea for electric Christmas tree lights. Now, the fashion of the illuminated outdoor tree is a widely practiced tradition for many around the holidays. It’s a great way to express ourselves, get creative, and add color and light to these cold and barren winter days.

In the effort to go green and reduce our carbon footprint, the Smithsonian’s Horticulture Division is phasing out conventional incandescent lights and illuminating our trees with LEDs. What are LEDs you ask? Light-Emitting Diodes—and they are great! Although the initial cost is more, these lights will last longer, glow brighter, and can save up to 80% on your energy bill. They do not produce any heat and stay cool to the touch. This is great for safety reasons indoors and out.

The Horticulture team started using LED lights on the National Mall side of the National Museum of American History last season to highlight the branching structure of the 16 ‘Prairie Fire’ Crabapple trees. 10 to 12 strands per 12-foot tree were used to wrap the trunks and main branches to the tips. We chose amber-colored lights because of the soft glow they emit. The effect is stunning. The intention was to draw the public’s eye from across the Mall and give them a warm, “in the holiday spirit” feeling. We are receiving only positive feedback, so it seems to be working!

What we have on display now is just the beginning. For future holiday seasons, we have plans for a grand light show for the entire outside of the museum which includes LED light nets for the hedges, and lights for new pocket-garden trees that will be installed next spring. By designing with complementary LED colors, shapes, and sizes, we will “bring to light” the beauty of the existing landscape even on these long, chilly winter nights.

Joe Brunetti is a horticulturalist with the Smithsonian.

Top 10 posts of 2008

I’m a sucker for year-end wrap-ups. Sometimes roundup lists serve as shortcuts, helping us plan for the year ahead. For example, I’ll browse through the New York Times “Top 10 Books of 2008” for ideas on what to read in 2009. Other times the summaries provide a way to reflect on the critical events of the past 12 months. Time magazine’s “The Top 10 Everything of 2008” might fit this bill with its review of museum exhibits, medical breakthroughs, and campaign video moments. I’m sure you have your favorite lists—the most influential people, best songs, top sports moments, most exciting emerging technologies, key world events, etc.

What many of these lists have in common is an expert who has taken the time to review a large pool of contenders and culled together the best, worst, and most interesting for you. Well, this list is different. To come up with the top ten “O Say Can You See?” blog posts of 2008 I relied on you, our readers, to tell me what should make the cut. Since the blog’s launch in July of this year, the museum’s team of bloggers has been busy publishing more than 60 posts. The ten most-read posts were:

 1. A real national treasure?
 2. The unexpected impact of opening weekend
 3. A picture within a picture
 4. Photo gallery: Closing in on our reopening
 5. Sneak peek at the new Star-Spangled Banner gallery
 6. The return of the ruby slippers
 7. The famous flying elephant
 8. The First Ladies at the Smithsonian: more than dresses
 9. Wag more, bark less
10. Now we’re really rolling

What do you think about this list? Do you have a favorite post that didn’t make the cut? The feedback we’ve received from our readers this year has been both encouraging and helpful in shaping what we cover and how. We hope that in 2009 you will continue to comment on the blog and spread the word to your friends.

Why not get started now? Leave a comment with your suggestions on topics you’d like to see covered on the blog in the future. What artifact, era, historical character, or behind-the-scenes museum topic are you most interested in hearing about?

Dana Allen-Greil is the new media project manager at the National Museum of American History.

The First Ladies at the Smithsonian: more than dresses

Last Friday we were thrilled to open our new exhibition First Ladies at the Smithsonian. The exhibition tells the history of the First Ladies collection, and shows off 14 gowns and over 90 other objects—including china and jewelry—that have been collected by the Smithsonian over the past hundred years. The exhibition also answers some frequently asked questions about the First Ladies collection:

Whose gowns are included in the collection?
The gowns in the collection belonged to the women who acted as the official White House hostesses during presidential administrations. Usually it was the president’s wife. If a president’s wife had died or was unable to serve, he chose a family member or friend to act as his hostess.

Is a first lady required to donate her inaugural ball gown?
The Smithsonian asks each first lady to donate something to represent her in the collection. It has become tradition for that item to be the inaugural ball gown, but it is not required.

Does the Smithsonian own an inaugural ball gown for every first lady?
Each presidential administration is represented in the collection by an article of clothing that belonged to the first lady or the president’s official hostess, but not all are inaugural ball gowns.

If a first lady has two terms, does the Smithsonian collect gowns from both inaugurals’ balls?
Although Ida McKinley’s second inaugural ball gown and three gowns worn by Eleanor Roosevelt to inaugural festivities are part of the collection, the Smithsonian usually collects only the gown from the first inaugural ball. The second gown is often exhibited at the presidential library.

Why aren’t all of the gowns on exhibit?
Light, climate, and gravity are all harmful to fabric. Over time, they have damaged the gowns. There are some gowns that can no longer be exhibited because they were too badly damaged by their years on display. Other dresses are rotated on and off display in order to keep them in good condition.

Are the gowns altered?
Each mannequin is custom-made to fit and support the gown. The Smithsonian does not alter the gowns.

Do you exhibit reproductions of the gowns?
The Smithsonian sometimes reproduces portions of a gown to complete it for exhibition but does not exhibit gowns that are entire reproductions.

Which is the oldest gown in the collection?
The oldest gown in the collection belonged to Martha Washington. The oldest inaugural gown in the collection belonged to Andrew Jackson’s niece, Emily Donelson, who wore it to his 1829 inaugural ball.

Megan Smith serves as educator on the First Ladies exhibition team and covets Helen Taft’s beaded gown.