Name: National Museum of American History
Address: 14th Street and Constitution Avenue N.W.
City, State: Washington DC, USA
Telephone: (202) 633-1000
Price:
What's it like?
On Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2004, the Smithsonian's National Museum of
American History opened a permanent new exhibition titled "The
Price of Freedom: Americans at War." This 18,200-square-foot display surveys the history of the U.S. military from the Colonial era to
the present, exploring ways that wars have been defining episodes in
American history. The exhibition is a unique blend of original
objects, first person accounts, video presentations and interactive
experiences. "The Price of Freedom" exhibition will anchor the
museum's new Military History Hall and was made possible through the
generosity of Kenneth E. Behring.
"This exhibition will give visitors a comprehensive and memorable
overview of America's military experience and the central role it has
played in our national life," said Brent D. Glass, director of the
National Museum of American History. "The sacrifices of individuals,
families, community and nation, including the ultimate sacrifice, are
the price of freedom."
Using more than 800 original artifacts, graphic images and interactive
stations, the exhibition tells stories of how Americans have
fought to establish the nation's independence, determine its borders,
shape its values of freedom and opportunity, and define its leading
role in world affairs. The scope of the exhibition goes far beyond
a survey of battles to examine wars as both social and military
events. The exhibition also analyzes the relationship between wars
and American political leadership, social values, technological
innovation and personal sacrifice.
The exhibition has 10 sections with major sections on the
following wars:
The Revolutionary War
The Civil War
World War II
The Cold War
The Vietnam War
Afghanistan and Iraq
As they enter the gallery, visitors are transported back to 1756,
where they will find American colonists fighting alongside the British
in the French and Indian War. The colonists then turn against the
British to fight for independence in the American Revolution. As the
story goes from there to more recent conflicts, visitors see an
array of images, interactive media, and military objects, including
battle flags, firearms, swords, uniforms, medals, and soldiers'
equipment. Highlights will include George Washington's commission as
the first Commander in Chief; one of the few Revolutionary War
uniforms in existence; the furniture used by Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and
Robert E. Lee during the surrender ceremony at Appomattox Court House
and a World War II jeep. An icon of the Vietnam War, a restored UH-1H
Huey helicopter will be the largest single object on display. The
exhibition will extend to recent wars and show selected objects from
Operation Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom, including Colin Powell's
uniform and a first-generation military robot.
"The Price of Freedom" concludes with an area designed to honor
veterans' service to their country. In a display on the Medal of
Honor, the nation's highest military honor, visitors hear medal
recipients tell their own stories of heroism. A final video
recognizes the suffering and sacrifice that all veterans and their
families have made to support and defend their nation.
The exhibition is designed to appeal to audiences of all ages.
Displays tell stories of how women, and children as well as men
have been a part of the nation's military history. Young people
have a range of hands-on opportunities to explore the soldier's
experience in different eras.
The museum plans extensive educational programming, including a
curriculum guide for teachers and a Web site that will offer virtual
visitors a look at the exhibition plus in-depth access to the museum's
military history collections of artifacts and photographs related to
the story of the U.S. military.
The National Museum of American History traces American heritage
through exhibitions of social, cultural, scientific and technological
history. The museum is located at 14th Street and Constitution Avenue
N.W., and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., except Dec. 25. For
more information, visit the museum's Web site at
http://americanhistory.si.edu
or call (202) 633-1000, (202) 357-1729 (TTY).
Source: Travelwriters Press Release
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