Exhibiting America : the Smithsonian's national history museum, 1881-2018 / David K. Allison and Hannah Peterson.

Format:

Book

Government document

Author/Creator:

Allison, David K., 1950- author.

Peterson, Hannah (Hannah L. C.), author.

Contributor:

Smithsonian Institution Scholarly Press, issuing body.

Series:

Smithsonian contribution to knowledge

A Smithsonian contribution to knowledge

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

National Museum of American History (U.S.)--Exhibitions.

National Museum of American History (U.S.).

National Museum of American History (U.S.)--History.

National museums--Washington (D.C.).

National museums.

National characteristics, American.

United States--Civilization--Exhibitions.

United States.

United States--History--Exhibitions.

Civilization.

Washington (D.C.).

Genre:

exhibition catalogs.

Exhibition catalogs.

History.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xv, 415 pages) : illustrations (some color), maps.

Other Title:

Smithsonian's national history museum, 1881-2018

Place of Publication:

Washington, D.C. : Smithsonian Scholarly Press, 2021.

Summary:

"This book explores the varied ways that the National Museum of American History and its predecessors conveyed the story of America in its exhibitions to millions of annual visitors through five distinct eras of history. Because of the museum's size and scope and its prominent presence in the nation's capital, its leaders have always aspired to grand visions of it mission and program. Yet the realities of exhibition development tempered and shaped what was ultimately displayed on its floors in many surprising and provocative ways. These five eras were: The Nation's Attic (1876-1964), A Museum of History and Technology (1964-1969), Celebrating America' Bicentennial (1969-1979), A National Museum of American History (1979-2001), and What does it mean to be American? (2001-2018). The narrative describes what was on display through both narrative discussions and a wealth of illustrations. In addition, it explores the background stories of how and why the museum chose to mount the exhibitions it presented. A conclusion offers reflections on historical trends and continuing challenges for the museum"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Chapter 1 : Introduction

Chapter 2 : The nation's attic (1876-1964)

Chapter 3 : A museum of history and technology (1964-1969)

Chapter 4 : Celebrating America's bicentennial (1969-1979)

Chapter 5 : A National Museum of American History (1979-2001)

Chapter 6 : What does it mean to be American? (2001-2018)

Chapter 7 : Reflections.

Notes:

Publication date (online): 18 February 2021.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on online resource; title from PDF title page (SI website, viewed Mar. 15, 2021).

Other Format:

Print version: Allison, David K., 1950- Exhibiting America.

ISBN:

9781944466398

1944466398

OCLC:

1204267846