National Museum of American History Highlights Report 2010 Americanhistory.Si.Edu Throughout History, the Public Square Has Represented the Heart of Community Life
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Highlights Report 2010 National Museum of American History “Never has an understanding of our story as a people, of who we are and how we came to be the way we are, and what we stand for, been of such importance as right now.” —David McCullough Highlights Report 2010 National Museum of American History National Museum of American History Highlights Report 2010 americanhistory.si.edu Throughout history, the public square has represented the heart of community life. Many museums experience a drop in attendance after their first year. Whether it is known as the agora, the forum, the plaza, the town center, the But here at the National Museum of American History, two years after village green, the quad, or the diamond, this is a space where social, political, reopening the building, the crowds are still streaming through our doors… economic, and cultural activity takes place. It is a place that promotes a more than 4 million people in 2010. connection with ideas and information, with goods and services, and human We see parents and grandparents guiding and teaching, we see school groups interaction. and teachers exploring and discovering, we see the awe on the faces of The public square at the National Museum of American History plays this everyone who turns the corner in the flag gallery—and sees the Star-Spangled critical role. Visitors enter from the National Mall at the center of Washington’s Banner for the first time. We see generations connected and enriched by the memorial landscape. All the elements of an authentic public square are wisdom that only the recognition of history can bring. Here, you can discover Brent D. Glass visible. There is an information center; a store; displays of artifacts that reflect the American spirit of determination, imagination and innovation that created John F. W. our extraordinary history; a statue of George Washington; and the Greensboro our past and predicts our future. Rogers The Elizabeth lunch counter, a monument to the story of liberty. Anchoring the square is a The ideals of America are here, in the artifacts and the exhibitions, in MacMillan sculptural tribute to a secular shrine, the Star-Spangled Banner where we tell particular the American spirit of freedom and the opportunity it brings. The Board Chair the story of an American treasure. freedom to chart one’s own course, to accept risks knowingly and to own the Director, Our public square has become a dynamic place for musical performances, outcome, to believe that personal initiative counts for something, that if you hands-on learning, and special events. Naturalization ceremonies and living can imagine it, you can achieve it. It is a freedom that is ours to infuse with Emeritus history theater happen here. Where could there be a better place to witness the tenacity and purpose: to craft and shape the American identity. This Museum swearing-in of new citizens or to “join the student sit-ins” at the lunch counter? is a testament to the American experience, to our collective history. It is a memorial to this country of endless possibilities and boundless hope. Each day during the summer, in front of the Star-Spangled Banner gallery, Museum interns unfold an American flag, a full-size replica of the original that When the Museum opened in 1964 with a dedication by President Lyndon B. flew over Fort McHenry in 1814. They invite visitors of all ages and from all Johnson, he cited the words of William Faulkner: walks of life to take hold of the flag. Then they join together with onlookers “Here is recorded the agony and the sweat of the human spirit, the victory of who are snapping pictures from the balcony in a full-throated singing of the the freedom and the genius of our country.” National Anthem. When they finish a cheer rings out that echoes throughout And in 2008, when President George W. Bush reopened the Museum, the Museum. They will never forget this moment in America’s public square. he said that in this fantastic place of learning, “we see a nation constantly It has been an honor to further the Smithsonian mission for the past nine years, moving toward greater freedom and greater opportunity.” to increase awareness of American history and to inspire millions of visitors. The National Museum of American History reminds us of the promise that is From my office window I had a unique view of the public square and all the America…furthering the narrative of our nation. Each time I am here, I am human energy generated throughout the year. I also had a close-up view of filled with hopefulness about what our collective future as a nation can be. the skylight that shines new light on American history and symbolizes the transformation of the Museum. As the Museum completes another successful I hope that you will enjoy this overview of the many important moments in year and begins planning for renovations of the west wing followed by its 50th the life of the National Museum of American History throughout 2010. anniversary in 2014, we all can take pride in the many accomplishments past and present but also look ahead to a bright and hopeful future. National Museum of American History Highlights Report 2010 americanhistory.si.edu Secretary G. Wayne Clough First Lady Michelle Obama at the presentation ceremony with Museum Director Brent D. Glass (left) and Smithsonian Secretary G. Wayne Clough. Students from Huntington High School get a sneak peek at the Obama gown in its new display Continuing an almost century-long tradition, First Lady For decades, the First Ladies Collection has been one of the First Lady Michelle Obama formally presented the gown she wore to most popular attractions at the Smithsonian Institution. The the 2009 inaugural balls to the Smithsonian’s First Ladies original First Ladies exhibition of 1914 was the first display at Michelle Collection in March 2010. the Smithsonian to prominently feature women. Obama In attendance were a group of Mrs. Obama’s personal The gown has become a part of the country’s collective friends, students from the Fashion Design and memory—as part of one of the most enduring and popular Presents Illustration classes at Huntington High School in New collections of the Smithsonian—and a part of the personal Inaugural York, special guests and a crowd of journalists. Visitors memories of the millions of visitors who visit the Museum. Michelle Obama’s could see the gown immediately after the ceremony diamond ring, bracelets “The donation ceremony,” said Mrs. Obama, “was about and earrings, designed Gown at the center of a new gallery, much more than this gown. It’s also about how, with enough A First Lady’s Debut. and donated by focus and with enough determination, someone in this room Loree Rodkin, total 87 The one-shouldered, white-silk chiffon gown, could be the next Jason Wu. Someone in this room could be carats—61 carats in created by Taiwan-born immigrant Jason Wu, the next Barack Obama. It’s about how the American story the earrings alone. is embellished with organza flowers with is written by real people—not just names on a page. And Swarovski crystal centers. Mrs. Obama chose it’s about how something you create today—whether it’s a Wu’s design from several gowns offered, a dress, or a painting, or a story or a song—can help teach the choice that was not revealed to anyone next generation in a way that nothing else can.” until that evening. Jason Wu and Michelle Obama Jason Wu, the designer of the Obama gown, did not know that she had picked his design until he saw her step out wearing it on national TV. National Museum of American History Highlights Report 2010 americanhistory.si.edu On February 1, 1960, four African American college Stories of freshmen sat down at the Woolworth’s “whites-only” lunch counter in Greensboro, N.C., and politely asked to be served. Freedom When they remained in the seats after their request was and Justice refused, they ignited a youth-led movement challenging injustice and racial inequality throughout the South. A four- stool, eight-foot portion of the Woolworth’s lunch counter is on view at the museum as a powerful artifact of the Civil Rights movement. 2010 marked the 50th anniversary of this bold action and the Museum explored Stories of Freedom and Justice throughout the year, reminding everyone that ordinary people can accomplish extraordinary things. In a special evening ceremony on February 3, 2010, the From left: Franklin E. McCain, Jabreel Khazan, David Richmond, Jr., Joseph A. McNeil Museum presented the Greensboro Four—Jibreel Khazan (formerly Ezell Blair Jr.), Franklin McCain, Joseph McNeil and, posthumously, David Richmond—with the James Smithson The Museum also hosted a town hall meeting with the Bicentennial Medal in recognition of their contribution to In Their Own Words “The sit-ins spread Greensboro Civil Rights Pioneers and high school students like wildfires and civil rights in America. The ceremony included U.S. Rep. “I was thinking about the importance to discuss the meaning and significance of the sit-in and the John Lewis (D-GA), Smithsonian Secretary Wayne Clough of service before self. The protesters importance of civic engagement. people said, we’re and Lonnie Bunch, director, National Museum of African didn’t ask ‘What’s in it for me?’” —Joseph A. McNeil The six-month protest ended on July 25, 1960, with the tired, we can’t take it American History and Culture. desegregation of all Woolworth’s lunch counters.