National Museum of American History

National Museum of American History Review

The 3 million artifacts in the country's largest history museum explore America's cultural, political, and scientific past, with holdings as diverse and iconic as Abraham Lincoln's top hat, Thomas Edison's lightbulbs, Julia Child's entire kitchen, and Judy Garland's ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz. The museum's nickname, "America's attic," is apt: its 20 exhibition galleries are crammed with unexpected items and stories from every nook and cranny of American history.

Highlights

The Star-Spangled Banner gallery is the highlight of a two-year $85-million renovation of the museum, completed in late 2008. Its centerpiece is the actual 30 x 34 foot banner that in 1814 survived 25 hours of British rocket attacks on Fort McHenry, inspiring Francis Scott Key to write the song that became the national anthem.

For political and military history, visit the American Presidency, Abraham Lincoln, Gunboat Philadelphia, and Price of Freedom: Americans at War galleries.

The Science in American Life gallery explores American scientific research from the invention of the lightbulb to the development of the atomic bomb. There are two hands-on workshops: in Invention at Play, kids can design a custom pinwheel, create a laser-generated picture of their voice, and learn about American inventors. In the Spark Lab, lively scientists lead daily lab explorations of a variety of subjects, such as chemical explosions and looking at DNA under microscopes.

For entertainment and sports history, line up for the Thanks for the Memories gallery, starring the famous ruby slippers, as well as the original Kermit the Frog and Muhammed Ali's boxing gloves.

Tips

Head to the welcome center on the second floor to pick up a guide to the highlights, learn about tours and demonstrations, and find out if there is a free performance scheduled.Expect waits of up to 20 minutes for the Star Spangled Banner, First Ladies' Dresses, and Thanks for the Memories Galleries. To see pop culture memorabilia without the wait, check out the displays in the lower-level entrance, such as C-3PO's costume from Return of the Jedi and Carrie Bradshaw's laptop from Sex and the City.This is the only museum in the world with an active program of using its historical musical instruments for live performances; the Smithsonian Chamber Music Society holds regular concerts.The Stars and Stripes Café on the lower level serves sandwiches, salads, pizza, and burgers. The Constitution Café on the first floor serves coffee, ice cream, and snacks. The main museum store is on the first floor; another is on the third floor with military-inspired books, apparel, and gifts; and you can also find mementoes in the Popular Culture store near the Mall entrance.