Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History marches on

Washington, D.C., among many other accolades, is a city steeped in history and heritage, power and prestige. And at the heart of it all lies the Smithsonian Institution, the world’s largest museum and research complex.

With 20 museums, galleries, and a zoo — 17 of them in the capital, and the rest in other states — the Smithsonian, through the years, has captured many a heart. From the Air and Space Museum, where visitors marvel at the Wright brothers’ plane, to the National Gallery of Art, home to masterpieces by da Vinci and Vermeer — and let’s not forget the full-of-surprises National Zoo — each Smithsonian Museum has its own unique narrative.

On our most recent visit to Washington, my siblings and I debated which depository to further explore. After much deliberation, we settled on the National Museum of American History, to experience how much it has evolved since our previous trip some years back.

As we stepped inside, we were immediately struck by the richness of the nation’s history — love of country and a sense of patriotism, which is near infectious. And much to our anticipation, new installations and interactive exhibits have been added, which continues to captivate visitors!

Here are some of our favorites.

Among the most iconic artifacts are George Washington in uniform and his Presidential Chair. We could clearly imagine him seated as he shaped the future of American democracy.

We spotted Thomas Jefferson’s desk, where it is believed he wrote the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

How could we miss Abraham Lincoln’s top hat? Standing at 6’4” in height, plus the headpiece, we could imagine how imposing of a figure he must have been!

The museum also dedicates a spacious area to the legacies of US presidents and their spouses.

We encountered the Wall of American Presidents, a curved visual timeline of every US president. From George Washington to Joe Biden, it contained little snippets of their lives during their respective tenures.

A rare opportunity, we likewise sighted the Presidents of the United States Seal — perhaps a once in a lifetime occurrence to be this close!

A fun side diversion was the You Be the President interactive portion. Here, we stepped into the shoes of the Commander-in-Chief in front of a podium — with the US President’s Seal, mind you — where our likeness was projected on a television screen as if we delivered an important speech!

In The First Ladies, it focuses on the pivotal role of these women and how they transformed the role to contribute to the presidential administrations. The collection likewise spotlighted stunning gowns worn by America’s leading women during the several inaugural balls, complete with their jewelries, purses, and even shoes — each reflected the fashion and style of their own eras.

It also delves into their personal stories. Mary Todd Lincoln’s mourning dress and Lady Bird Johnson’s audio diaries both offered intimate glimpses into their lives.

It also displayed, among the over 1000 items, their designed set of china, cutlery, goblets and glasses for state dinners and other official gatherings.

For a touch of nostalgia, we wandered into the Entertainment Nation, where children’s icons, to include Kermit the Frog, Mister Rogers in his familiar red sweater and blue shoes, and Dorothy’s ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz brought back fond memories of our younger days.

The exhibit also paid homage to television sitcoms, with props from shows like Seinfeld, and even Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton costume from the musical, all iconic pieces of global pop culture.

Meanwhile, a display dedicated to Muhammad Ali celebrated his legacy as both a boxing legend and a civil rights icon.

Another must-see stop was the section dedicated to Star Wars. Seeing the original C-3PO and R2-D2 costumes up close was a surreal sight for any fan of the galaxy far, far away.

Our last stop was the Star-Spangled Banner — a huge hall in complete darkness and silence — which contains the original flag, which inspired Francis Scott Key to write their national anthem. Due to the condition of the standard, no photographs were allowed!

Upon departure, we reflected on the influence Washington, D.C. has on the rest of the world. Each and every piece in those hallowed halls had their own stories to recount. Oh, if only those treasured items could speak!