When you visit Washington DC don't miss the chance to visit the National Museum of American History. Full of treasures that bring to life our nation's past, this American history museum in DC inspires a broad understanding of our nation and its many peoples. The Museum collects and preserves more than three million artifacts, including all kinds of things important to our people, from President Lincoln's top hat to the historic Star Spangled Banner, to the magic ruby slippers worn by Dorothy in the original Wizard of Oz. The collections reflect the breadth, depth, and complexity of the experiences of the American people, from social and cultural history to the history of science, medicine, and technology.

Here you can see the original congressional appointment for George Washington to command the Continental Army, and the military uniform worn by Andrew Jackson during the War of 1812. Also on display here are domestic items of everyday life (such as the first hand-powered vacuum cleaner) to iconic items of American entertainment, such as the original Kermit and Archie Bunker's chair from the TV series All in the Family. Among those exhibits featuring popular culture, a recently added favorite is Julia Child's kitchen.

The latest permanent exhibition installed at the Museum of American History in Washington DC is The Price of Freedom: Americans at War. It surveys the history of U.S. military conflicts, and examines ways in which wars have been defining episodes in American history. America on the Move takes visitors on a journey through the development of transportation in America, from the late nineteenth century onward. Countless tourists over the years have enjoyed the popular exhibits Field to Factory: Afro-American Migration 1915-1940, First Ladies: Political Role and Public Image, and The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden, Within These Walls. Some exhibits are ongoing; others travel, meaning there will be something new to see each time you visit Washington DC. Besides, the American history museum in DC also offers music programs, including jazz concerts, chamber music, gospel, blues and dance.

The National Museum of American History in Washington DC has been a landmark on the National Mall for more than four decades. In the past year, the Museum has embarked on an ambitious interior remodeling project. The changes will be made in phases, culminating in a dramatic transformation of the center into an elegant, broad space that is easy to navigate for all. The Star-Spangled Banner is the centerpiece of the second phase of the renovation, beginning in 2006. According to architectural plans, the central shaft of the museum's structure will be dramatically opened, allowing an intense display, lit from above, of the first national flag. When you visit Washington DC, you may wish to check ahead with the museum or its website, to see that the renovations have not caused changes of which you should be aware. History is, after all, an ongoing work of understanding!

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