America's Museum Reopens
American history museum in D.C. celebrates after two-year renovation
The flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the poem that would later become the lyrics to the United States' National Anthem, "The Star Spangled Banner." (Photo: Smithsonian National Museum of American History)
One of the Smithsonian Institution's most popular museums reopened its doors on Friday. The National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C., is open after a two-year renovation. The museum was rededicated by President George W. Bush on Wednesday.
The museum was redesigned under the supervision of architect Gary Haney, who says that one of his main ideas for improving the building's atrium was to "shed light on history." He means this literally, because the atrium, which was once dark and gloomy, is now bright and open, giving visitors a view of all the upper galleries.
Wednesday's ceremonies were all about history. The event was held on the date that President Abraham Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address in 1863. This is significant because an original draft of the famous speech, handwritten by Lincoln, will be on display at the museum until January 4, 2009. Mrs. Bush arranged for this document, which is usually on display in the Lincoln Bedroom in the White House, to be loaned to the museum.
President Bush commented on the speech during the event. "Over the years, the Gettysburg Address has been memorized by generations of schoolchildren—including me and Laura—and stands as the greatest presidential speech of all time," he said.
The Gettysburg Address is the center of an exhibit on that historic speech. The exhibit was designed by curator Harry Rubenstein, chair of the museum's Division of Politics and Reform. His inspiration was "to create a space where you can really focus on the Gettysburg Address," he told Scholastic News.
The room includes two portraits of Abraham Lincoln and two interactive computer stations that allow visitors to learn more about the Lincoln Bedroom and the document. The Lincoln Bedroom is in the private quarters of the White House and is often used for the President's overnight guests.
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| Scholastic Kid Reporter Madison Hartke-Weber struggles to lift a 21-pound pail of water at an museum exhibit about doing the laundry during the 19th century. (Photo courtesy Madison Hartke-Weber) |
Another important artifact on display is the Star Spangled Banner, the American flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the National Anthem as it flew over Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. The flag has been extensively restored. The restoration began long before the museum was closed for renovation. It is now on view again in a darkened exhibit hall that protects it
from overexposure to light.
As part of the dedication ceremony, five people from different parts of the world were naturalized as American citizens. Museum director Brent Glass said naturalization ceremonies will now be a recurring event at the museum.
Like the other guests attending, these new American citizens were enthusiastic about the museum's new design.
"I'm very excited about the new museum," said Ilse Klopotek, who is originally from Germany. "I first saw it three years ago, and it looks wonderful now."
Another special guest who spoke at the rededication was historian David McCullough, who won the Pulitzer Prize for his books on Presidents Harry S. Truman and John Adams. He was also the narrator for the film Seabiscuit and for Ken Burns's documentary The Civil War. His book about Hurricane Katrina, The Great Deluge, was a best-seller.
"I hope that visitors coming to the museum for the first time will leave with some new interest in something that they never knew about," said McCullough when he spoke with Scholastic News. "In this museum, there's something for everyone."
McCullough calls history "a source of strength."
"If you understand history, you can get through tough times, because you'll know that people in the past were able to get through tough times," he said.
With that in mind, the National Museum of American History may be just the place to go these days. If you can't get to Washington, D.C., for a personal visit, you can always go online to the Web site for a look at some of the greatest treasures in America—our cultures and lifestyles.
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 | Historian David McCullough calls history "a source of strength." How can learning about American history help you become a better citizen? Tell us what you think on the Scholastic News Online Blog! | |
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Madison Hartke-Weber is a member of the Scholastic Kids Press Corps.
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