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HIGHLIGHTS REPORT 2019 New case in the refreshed exhibition FOOD: Transforming the American Table MISSION Through incomparable collections, rigorous research and dynamic public outreach, we explore the infinite richness and complexity of American history. We help people understand the past in order to make sense of the present and shape a more humane future. 2 National Museum of American History We are deeply grateful for another year of sharing this remarkable National Museum of American History with our millions of visitors, both in Washington, D.C., and online. In 2019, we recognized several major anniversaries through stimulating exhibitions and programs that helped us contemplate moments that have shaped the nation’s history and still influence us today. The Museum examined the 150th anniversary of The future is also one that is increasingly digital in the Transcontinental Railroad, centennial of the 19th expression and experience. This report describes the Amendment’s passage, 75th anniversary of D-Day, steps taken by the Museum and Smithsonian Institution and 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising. as a whole to make our vast collections more readily In addition, we celebrated the Smithsonian Year of available to our audiences. The general public, students, Music, an institution-wide initiative to increase public teachers and researchers around the world will now engagement, advance understanding and connect have online access to millions of objects that can communities globally. stimulate ongoing learning and inspire new generations. This is an exciting time of reflection and change at the As director and board chairman, respectively, we are Museum. We take the opportunity not only to review each committed to the Museum with tireless and our accomplishments but also to explore ways to share empathetic attention. With reverence and care, we inclusive, powerful narratives grounded in exemplary will steward, grow and integrate interpretation of our scholarship, cutting-edge museology and artistic extraordinary collections, while working to remove expression. The Museum’s own rich heritage is inspiring, barriers to their availability. With the continued from the depth and breadth of our astounding, vast, generosity and support of so many friends and partners, complicated collections to our impact on generations we will broaden our impact on the nation we serve of Americans and international visitors. The role we and the world in which we live. Let us together spark play in teaching history and empowering individuals with conversation, enlightenment and change in order to knowledge is unmistakable — a privilege we respect and create a just and informed future. recognize daily. In 2020, we will continue to mold our new strategic plan and, in doing so, ask key questions about why we exist, for whom and for what we stand. It is our goal to become the most relevant, inclusive and sustainable public history institution in the country, one that learns from its past as it plans for its future. We are exploring how we can more fully become of, by and for the communities we serve. As the first women in our roles, we both look forward particularly to the Museum’s powerful participation in the Smithsonian American Women’s History Initiative. Anthea M. Hartig, Ph.D. Abbe Raven Elizabeth MacMillan Director Board Chairman Ó Crate label, Verigood iceberg lettuce, around 1950 Power Through Food Highlights Report 2019 1 MEET THE DIRECTOR ANTHEA M. HARTIG, PH.D. In December 2018, the National Museum of American History announced Anthea M. Hartig, Ph.D., as its new Elizabeth MacMillan Director. Formerly the executive director and CEO of the California Historical Society, she brought her experience as a public historian, scholar, author and cultural heritage expert to the Museum. Hartig, now having served a year in D.C., sat down to share a few thoughts about her vision and making history herself. 2 National Museum of American History As you walk through our now no one else has to say that, What role does the Museum exhibitions and storage areas because they won’t have to kind of play in encouraging Q.with countless treasures, be the tip of that plow that broke Q. productive dialogue between MEET THE DIRECTOR what object or collection strikes through that gender barrier. But it’s visitors with different views on you the most? an honor to be at that tip, so I feel today’s issues? very grateful. A. The easy answer, of course, is all A. Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. of them! But the more complicated Bunch III talks about museums as a answer is that I believe one of my place of convening, the convening projects during my tenure here of conversations. I think there are is to get to know the collections ground rules you need to set. Making as well as humanly possible. people feel welcome, making them The objects that have struck me, feel comfortable and having the some are very dramatic. We have conversations takes work. I would Selena’s beautiful leather jacket like to see the Museum giving people on display, studded and fabulous. the tools with which to understand I’ve also gotten to see some very some very complicated moments small but very powerful objects, in time. I firmly believe that the which I find fascinating, like Helen tools of a historian should not be a Keller’s watch. When I donned privilege, and those tools, of course, gloves and was able to hold it, it include access to our historic and was astounding to think about primary sources. They help with how long she used that watch, felt understanding and critical reading that watch and held that watch, and critical analysis to help people and how objects can be bridges What’s your vision for the make sense of their worlds. to experiences. They can provide Museum? One year from now, that kind of intimate human set of Q.what would you like to be able connections with people we’ll never to say about our work here? The people need to know: get a chance to know and whose Do you support the lives were very, very different A. My hope is that we will have Q.Washington Nationals or from ours. engaged even more people. I think San Diego Padres? pushing ourselves, in terms of our audience, both here in the building A. I am used to being bi-state, What does being the first and online, is critical. There are so growing up in Southern California woman in the director’s role many histories that are woven into but living a long time in Northern Q.at the Museum mean to you? our collection, building, programs California. I used to say, “Oh, the and exhibitions. I certainly hope Dodgers, Giants, Padres — I love A. It remains a deep honor to be people will have learned more about ’em all!” Of course I’m thrilled for appointed as the first woman the expansion of our franchise, the Nats and the Capitals, but director of the Museum, in large learned more about the suffrage perhaps the team I’m most excited part because I know what it has movement, learned more about about might be the women’s soccer taken me to achieve this. I am a how precious those rights are and team, the Washington Spirit. very, very fortunate woman — how hard people — especially It’s certainly a great time to live from my class and my race and women — fought to make the in Washington! my background and the support passage of the 19th Amendment I received — so it’s very humbling. possible. I hope there is a cherishing It’s also a gift to be here at this time that we can inculcate and grow when so many women directors in people of the importance of have been put into positions of U.S. history but really also the leadership in the arts and cultural importance of seeing themselves Ó Hartig admires Helen Keller’s watch ecosystem of the capital. I hope that reflected in it. from 1865 Power Through Food Highlights Report 2019 3 4 National Museum of American History Julia Child’s kitchen at the Museum Some of the world’s top culinary figures visited the National Museum of American History last fall for a stimulating 2019 Smithsonian Food History Weekend. Ó Chef José Andrés holds his 2019 Festivities kicked off with the fifth annual Food History Gala, Julia Child Award emceed by chef, TV personality and food critic Andrew Zimmern. The event drew more than 350 guests to celebrate chef José Andrés, who warmly accepted the 2019 Julia Child Award from The Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts. Known for his humanitarian work and innovative cuisine, Andrés was fêted by attendees, including past award recipients Jacques Pépin, Rick Bayless, Danny Meyer and Mary Sue Milliken. Major support for the Smithsonian Food History Gala was provided by the Winiarski Family Foundation, The Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Ñ Wooden spoon used by Charlie Papazian Arts, Clark Construction Group, LLC, and Pamela Gelsomini — for homebrewing and instruction; dining plate from Paul Ma’s China Kitchen Dishofftheblock.com. Power Through Food Highlights Report 2019 5 POWER THROUGH FOOD THEMED “POWER THROUGH FOOD,” in discussions. They shared how the fifth annual Smithsonian their work in food has provided Food History Weekend brought a platform for addressing local together food innovators, brewers, and global issues around food business owners, chefs, scholars production, labor, sustainability and enthusiasts to discuss the and justice. economic and social impact of food entrepreneurship among migrant The weekend’s theme was inspired women in the United States. Over by the Museum’s Power Through 15,000 visitors poured into the Food: Women Entrepreneurs Saving “The Smithsonian’s Museum for two days of cooking Communities project.

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