Two Smithsonian Museums that Celebrate America
The Smithsonian Institution is a given in educational travel. "Dedicated to the increase of human knowledge," its foundation states. And it fulfills that intent in each of its varied museums. There are nineteen in Washington D.C. alone, making the nation’s capital a perfect destination for student travel and the Smithsonian Institution a perfect attraction within it.
Although the Smithsonian has exhibits and museums dedicated to all kinds of subjects from around the world, the Museum of American History celebrates events and accomplishments from our own beautiful nation.
Inside students will find the large, handmade flag about which the Star Spangled Banner was written. Imagine how the story of that historical moment will come alive to students when they stand before the flag as its writer did with the same music playing that inspired its lyrics. The Museum of American History is full of historical memorabilia like this. Students aren’t likely to forget again the author of the Declaration of Independence after they have viewed the desk on which Thomas Jefferson so carefully crafted it. And what student doesn’t admire Abraham Lincoln? He is one of our most favored presidents for all he offered to our country in a time wrought with division but also with the growing desire to heal. At this museum, students can view one of his famous top hats and feel even closer to this inspiring national father.
Every chaperone feels successful if their students actually manage to learn on educational tours, but one of the surest ways to secure that possibility is to also interest them. The Museum of American History is filled not just with stories from historical textbooks but also from pop culture through the decades. Students will thrill to the things they already knew they loved about their country when they visit Dorothy’s ruby slippers, Rocky’s boxing gloves, and a nostalgic display of novelty lunch boxes through the years.
America is the sum of many parts, and this museum seeks to showcase them all. Our history is full of exciting events, thrilling successes, and popular entertainment. We are a varied people with one great unifying factor, our American spirit and our belief in the American dream.
Along those lines, consider a second Smithsonian facility that celebrates an age-old human desire – that of flight – and the exciting ways Americans have participated in the pursuit.
The National Air and Space museum displays all kinds of air and spacecraft, showcasing America’s role in the invention and development of flight. The plane created by our own Wright brothers is there as well as the amazing Spirit of St. Louis. Throughout history, although not alone, Americans have been crucial in the pursuit of flight and space exploration. It seems to go hand in hand with the American dream, the desire to be all that we can and discover our world and our universe no matter what it takes.
We have certainly had our share of troubling failures throughout this pursuit, and yet we continue. This drive is as irresistible as the spirit of America itself. The museum presents exhibit after exhibit with spacecraft artifacts like the Apollo 11 command module and moon rocks. It has everything a student needs to be inspired and to believe in the possibility of flight.
There is an entire exhibit in the museum that is a tribute to the jet age. That innovation changed the air travel business more than anything before or since. Through this exhibit, students learn how technology and invention go hand in hand with commerce and economy. The learning possibilities in this museum are almost as limitless as our dreams, which is exactly what flight and space exploration are all about.
Not to be outdone by the pop culture throughout the Museum of American History, the Air and Space Museum is currently remodeling its food service area, making way for the popular American franchise, McDonalds. This truly American food should complement nicely the surrounding displays of American success in flight.
These two Smithsonian facilities should definitely be included in Washington D.C. educational tours. The nation’s capital is perfect for student travel, and the Smithsonian Institution includes some of its most exciting attractions.
Tags: Smithsonian Institution | American History museum | American History museum | Air and Space museum | educational tours | educational tours | Washington D.C.