As we walked over to the Smithsonian American History Museum we saw the beautiful fountain display next to the Air and Space Museum along with the green grass of the National Mall leading up to the US Capital building. Looking the other way towards the Washington Monument, there was a protest/march gathering based on the number of busses that were surrounding this area of the National Mall. On ourb way down the street to the American History museum, there was an outdoor garden that we could walk through instead of walking down the sidewalk – so we took a slight detour to check it out! See the pictures of all of this below!
Diamond fountain outside Space MuseumNational Mall and US Capital buildingMarch gathering near Washington MonumentAnother view of busses and start of Victims of Violence marchMoondog by Tony SmithCheval Rouge by Alexander CalderGraft by Roxy PaineHouse 1 by Roy LichtensteinHouse 1 by Roy Lichtenstein – moves as you walk past!
National Museum of American History – now we have reached the museum and have a map – lets explore! First we are going to the temporary Forensic Exhibit – this will be an introduction prior to our planned tour tomorrow at the Spy Museum!
Museum entranceAmerican flagBite MarksThe DeceptographMicro-dynameterDNA TestingDNA Limitations – OJ Simpson TrialFingerprintingFingerprinting on items like gunsFingerprint storage after classificationMicroscope to examine evidence like hair/fibersFirearms – bullet tracing, powder remainsDifferent firearm investigationsSpatter testing with firearm at sceneHandwriting analysisHandwriting samplesPoisoning testing is very accurateDifferent poison tests performed1970’s kits at hospitals for assaults – standardized so held up in courtEnsuring staff are trained in using kits on assault victimsTesting for deceptionPolygraph machine – old
American Presidents
Life after being a PresidentGeorge Washington’s chairPresidents and their hobbiesPresidential Facts – things they foundedDifferent street platesAssassination of President Lincoln – hatAssassination of President LincolnPublic opinion – always a challenge!Protest signs over the yearsImpeachment – space missing bottom right for some reason?What a President can/cannot doDemands of a nation on one personGeorge Washington QuoteThe wall of presidents read right to leftNotice a space already there for the next president.
The First Ladies of the USA exhibit
“Unofficial” but important members of the administrationFirst ladies are expected to portray a dignified imageDresses 1st ladies wore for different occasions Reagan, Harrison, RooseveltDresses 1st ladies wore for different occasions Hoover, Kennedy, ClevelandDresses 1st ladies wore for different occasions Wilson, Grant, Hoover Dresses 1st ladies wore for different occasions, Eisenhower, HayesDresses 1st ladies wore for different occasions Carter, Regan, BushDresses 1st ladies wore for different occasions Clinton, Bush, ObamaDresses 1st ladies wore for different occasions Jill BidenDresses 1st ladies wore for different occasions Mary LincolnDresses 1st ladies wore for different occasions Edith Roosevelt
Now moving onto Hollywood, here is a glimpse of what they call “Entertainment Nation” –
Kermit and Piggy – with Jim HensonHighlighting the 1900-50’s eraHighlighting the 1900-50’s eraChildren’s Television performersHighlighting the 1940-80’s eraHighlighting the 1940-80’s eraWomen in Sci-Fi and FantasyAll in the Family showHighlighting 1970-2000’s eraDorothy’s red shoes from Wizard of OzHighlighting the 1990’s onwards era Highlighting the 1990’s onwards eraDisplay of American awards like Academy Award
Now we are taking the Metro back to our hotel after a 16,000 step day! Wow!
