Washington DC Archives - Page 5 of 7 - What To See In Washington DC

Dorothy’s Ruby Slipper Conservation: 7 Facts You May Not Know

MuseumsDecember 11, 2023482Views 0Likes 0Comments

Dorothy's ruby slippers were in poor shape when the Smithsonian acquired them in 1979. Because costume designers considered them a disposable film prop, they threw them into a storage room and forgotten about. The slippers remained in that same neglected condition for years as they sat on display in the American History Museum. In 2016,…

Dorothy’s Ruby Slippers: A Curious Tale of Magic, Mystery, and Mishap

MuseumsDecember 8, 2023932Views 0Likes 0Comments

One of the most beloved artifacts in the Smithsonian is Dorothy's ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz (1939). Thousands of visitors approach the glass case each year to stare in awe at the bejeweled pumps as they sparkle under the lights. But did you know the shoes aren't a matching pair? Or that other…

Our Top 5 Exhibits for Families to Explore at the Air and Space Museum

MuseumsOctober 21, 2023780Views 0Likes 0Comments

Last October, I watched eager visitors enter the newly reopened Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum again. Director Christopher Browne personally opened the doors and welcomed the first visitors back into the coolest museum on the National Mall. If you haven't been yet, here are the best five exhibits for families to experience: 1. The…

9 Awesome DC Exhibits for Homeschool Family Field Trips

MuseumsSeptember 18, 2023713Views 0Likes 0Comments

It's back-to-school season, so you know what that means. It's time to plan your homeschool field trips! Any kid will tell you field trips are the highlight of the school year. They're a chance to escape the rigors of the schoolroom and go to a cool museum where they can see exhibits and artifacts on…

Fun Family Visit to Fort Washington

OutdoorsJuly 28, 2023447Views 0Likes 0Comments

Stand on the point of land poking into the Potomac River. A stone and brick fort looms above you. You instantly see what a map or written description of this abandoned fort could only try to explain. Fort Washington's location and design made it a key point of defense along the Potomac for years. It…

Celebrate Independence Day with The Family at The National Archives

HolidaysJuly 1, 2023459Views 0Likes 0Comments

Visit Washington DC for the 4th of July and see the Declaration of Independence with your own eyes at the National Archives. Travel back in time with their dramatic reading of the Declaration at 10 am. As you sit on the steps outside, you'll be transported back to 1776, when the document was originally read…

Millions of Letters Boosting Morale: Remembering V-Mail 81 Years Later

MuseumsJune 17, 2023439Views 0Likes 0Comments

V-Mail launched 81 years ago this week. When William H. VanZee wrote these two letters to his wife, Laura, the Victory Mail system was a well-oiled machine. It allowed millions of families around the world to stay in touch in spite of their separation. William's letters to his wife, Laura What is V-Mail? V-Mail was a…

3 Cemetery Choices in the DMV for Next Memorial Day

Holidays, MemorialsJune 3, 2023544Views 0Likes 0Comments

Families in the DMV love visiting Arlington National Cemetry on Memorial Day. Few places are more beautiful, solemn, and famous. But going on the holiday has several cons. Pros: Beautiful, iconic views The guards at the Tomb of the Unknown See the graves of many famous people Soldier placing flags at Arlington National Cemetery Cons: Crowded,…

A Republic or An Empire? The Portrait Gallery’s Latest Exhibition

ExhibitMay 1, 2023468Views 0Likes 0Comments

Last week, the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery opened a new exhibition- “1898: US Imperial Visions and Revisions”. Entry into Guanica Bay by the Smithsonian This exhibition explores the United States move from Republic to Empire through many people throughout the pivotal year of 1998. From Feb 15th, 1898, with the explosion of the USS Maine in…

This Was America's Most Popular Museum Last Year

This Was America’s Most Popular Art Museum Last Year

MuseumsApril 22, 2023474Views 0Likes 0Comments

The National Gallery of Art was America's most popular art museum last year. It beat its main competitor, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC, for the first time since 2008. The National Gallery surpassed the Met with 3.3 million visits compared to 3.2 million visits at the Met's main building. Photo by Alvesgaspar These statistics…