NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN HISTORY
What’s Happening in August: Events, Exhibits and Resources
Here’s what’s happening this month at the National Museum of American History
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NEW EVENT FOR JULY
Women and the Blues
Tues., July 30, 7 - 8:30 p.m.
Nicholas and Eugenia Taubman Hall of Music
Third Floor, West
Free, registration required through the website.
Blues music—African American cultural expression, musical style and musical form—goes back more than 100 years and women blues artists have been there since the start. This program, presented with the Smithsonian Associates, will explore how the blues women of the past broke through barriers and created new spaces for self-expression, establishing an important legacy that lives on in the work of contemporary blues women. Through conversation and brief live performances, Krystal Klingenberg, museum curator of music, will host the program with blues and soul vocal legend Bettye LaVette and singer/songwriter Adia Victoria. This program is made possible with support from the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum.
EXHIBITION EXTENDED
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“Music HerStory: Women and Music of Social Change”
First Floor, West
Closing March 24, 2025
From Mother Goose to Girl Power, Prohibition to the civil rights movement, women have made their voices heard in the story of American music. “Music HerStory” captures their innovative contributions and courageous spirit as they challenge gender stereotypes, bring forth revolutionary self-expression, and reimagine political and social change. Through unique books, photographs, albums and recordings from Smithsonian Libraries and Archives, the Center for Folklife and Culture Heritage and around the Smithsonian, "Music HerStory" shows how women’s leadership in music and social change is central to the American story. Visitors may also experience the exhibition—and the music—online: Music HerStory: Women and Music of Social Change.
VIRTUAL RESOURCE
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Explore Oral Histories From The Undocumented Organizing Collecting Initiative
Free online resource
The Undocumented Organizing Collecting Initiative, a program under the museum’s Center for Restorative History, aims to preserve the histories of undocumented organizing movements through the recording of oral histories. The Center’s webpage allows users to listen to interviews, view portraits of the participating narrators, browse quotes and read interview summaries. The multi-year research effort collected stories to provide a national perspective on the diverse undocumented organizing movement from undocumented organizers across South California, Chicago, Massachusetts, Nebraska, North Carolina, Washington D.C. and Mexico City.
VISITING
What to know:
The museum is open seven days a week, except Dec. 25, between 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Admission is free, and passes are not required. For more information, go to https://americanhistory.si.edu/visit
The Eat at America’s Table Cafe is open for complete food and beverage service. Throughout August, Chef Kyre and his team will highlight the splendor of peaches, serving summer favorites, including Roasted Citrus Peach Glazed Chicken, Meyer Lemon Herbed Seared Salmon, Grilled Local Yellow Peach Salad, Cucumber & Watermelon Salad, and House Made Peach Cobbler. The Leroy Neiman Jazz Cafe offers light lunch, including sandwiches and pastries, as well as hot and cold beverages. The Jazz Cafe serves Starbucks coffee. For more information, visit the website.
Bottled water is allowed in the museum. We recommend bringing a refillable water bottle for fountains.
Stores: Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
ABOUT THE MUSEUM
Through incomparable collections, rigorous research and dynamic public outreach, the National Museum of American History seeks to empower people to create a more just and compassionate future by examining, preserving and sharing the complexity of our past. The museum, located on Constitution Avenue N.W., between 12th and 14th streets, is open daily except Dec. 25 between 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Admission is free. The doors of the museum are always open online and the virtual museum continues to expand its offerings, including online exhibitions, K–12 educational materials and programs. The public can follow the museum on social media via Instagram and Facebook. For more information, go to https://americanhistory.si.edu. For Smithsonian information, the public may call (202) 633-1000.
