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National Museum of American History – an Introduction
National Museum of American History works towards collection, preservation and display of heritage of U.S. in various fields like cultural, social, political, scientific and military history. Located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., National Museum of American History is one of the popular museums in U.S., administered by the Smithsonian Institution. Among its range of collections, some most notables can be named as Dorothy’s ruby slippers from ‘The Wizard of Oz’ and the original ‘Star-Spangled Banner’.
Visiting National Museum of American History
There are three exhibition floors in Smithsonian National Museum of American History. It houses over 3 million objects, which reflect the depth, breadth and complexity of American people’s experience in various fields of life including society, culture, history, science, technology and medicine. Each exhibition floors again has several wings.
Collections:
The wide range of collections of Smithsonian National Museum of American History can be grouped in several categories, which include American Samplers, Balm of America: Patent Medicine Collection, The Ferris Collection of Prints, Mexican America, National Numismatics Collection, National Quilt Collection, Printing Matrices for Narrative of the U.S. Exploring Expedition, and Teodoro Vidal Collection of Puerto Rican History.
The collections displayed in the National Museum of American History are of various types. You can see the displays of different kinds such as advertising, agriculture, art, clothing & accessories, coins, currency & medals, communications, computer & business machines, cultures & communities, domestic furnishings, energy & power, engineering, building, & architecture, family & social life, food, government, policies, & reform, health & medicine, industry & manufacturing, measuring & mapping, military, music & musical instruments, natural resources, photography, popular entertainment, religion, science & mathematics, sports & leisure, textiles, transportation and work.
First Floor:
The East Wing of this floor displays collections relating to transportation and technology. See the popular ones like “Lighting a Revolution: Electricity Hall” and “America on the Move”. The collections of the West Wing focus on science and innovation. There is also a café as well as the main museum store in the first floor.
Second Floor:
The East Wing in the second floor of National Museum of American History has collections on American ideals. There is the original Star Spangled Banner Flag in the center. In the West Wing, you will find the collections on American lives. There is also a new welcome center as well as a store in this floor of the museum.
Third Floor:
In the East Wing of this floor, there are items on American wars and politics. There is an exhibition called “The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden” in the center here. The collections of the West Wing focus on sport, music and entertainment.
Hours of Operation
National Museum of American History remains open throughout the year except December 25.
June 12 – August 16: 10 a.m. to 7.30 p.m.
August – September 7: 10 a.m. to 6.30 p.m.
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