The National Museum of American History is located at:

14th Street and Constitution Avenue
Washington, DC
Voice: 202-633-1000
Web Site: www.americanhistory.si.edu

The collections of the National Museum of American History, Behring Center can be traced back to objects that transferred from the U.S. Patent Office to the Smithsonian.  Then after the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition closed in 1876, many of the artifacts were to the U.S. National Museum.  These were the first collections and now the are three floors of exhibits to explore. There are exhibits to thrill visitors of all ages. From Kermit the Frog to Dorothy's ruby slippers, transportation, music, television, the Presidency, and the First Ladies, there is so much to explore. Do you remember your favorite lunchbox? They probably have one like it in the 'Taking America to Lunch' exhibit with a large collection of popular lunchboxes.

The museum also houses exhibits on events that have changed our lives. Brown v. Board of Education is one of these exhibits. Learn more about this landmark case to end segregation through personal stories, artifacts, and audio and video presentations. History in the News: Collecting September 11 is an exhibit all will want to see. Since being named by Congress as the official repository for artifacts related to the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the museum has continued to collect and preserve objects, images and stories from the event. This rotating display highlights some of the museum's latest acquisitions.

Visit Julia Child's kitchen. When she retired and moved from the home where she had filmed most of her cooking shows, she donated the kitchen and its contents (some 1200 objects) to the museum. I still remember 25 years ago watching her cook her Thanksgiving turkey and learning a lot of pointers that I still use today.

There are so many more exhibits to see. You will want to plan plenty of time to explore everything here. You can plan lunch here, too at their Main Street Cafe Food Court.

KAT'S VIEW