The McClung Museum at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville Date Visited: October 27, 2006 Contact Information: Frank H. McClung Museum The University of Tennessee 1327 Circle Park Drive Knoxville, TN 37996-3200 Phone: (865) 974-2144 Fax: (865) 974-3827 Email: museum@utk.edu Website: http://mcclungmuseum.utk.edu/ Hours: Monday through Saturday: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Sunday: 1:00 to 5:00 pm Mission: “The Frank H. McClung Museum is an important component of The University of Tennessee, and participates in the implementation of the University's mission. The University of Tennessee is committed to the development of individuals and society as a whole through the cultivation and enrichment of the human mind and spirit. This is to be accomplished through teaching, scholarship, artistic creation, public service, and professional practice. The complementary mission of the Frank H. McClung Museum is to advance understanding and appreciation of the earth and its peoples through the collection, preservation, study, interpretation, and exhibition of objects and data. The Museum is dedicated to the support of the academic programs of The University and to the attraction and education of the broadest spectrum of participants.” My Experience: I have been to this museum often, and this time decided to take a close look at the Egypt exhibit. I have walked through the exhibit a few times, but had to do it quickly since it was the fifteen minutes I had in between classes, which were located in the museum’s auditorium downstairs. When I first enter the museum, I always enjoy the tranquility of the fountain in both the sound it offers and the graceful look of the sculpture. Right as I walk into the Egyptian exhibit, I am always captivated by their replica of the infamous Rosetta Stone. I highly doubt that during its construction its creators considered it would someday unlock the mysteries of interpreting hieroglyphics, and it is amazing to think about the great purpose the stone served. I would like to see the real thing in London someday. What I do not like about how the museum displays this particular object is its placement. It is so near the entrance that the first time I walked through the exhibit I walked right by it. It was the second time, when I was exiting the exhibit that I really noticed it. Its grand size and shiny look does grab the viewer’s attention, but I think it should be placed in a more attention grabbing space so visitors won’t be able to overlook its grandeur. The next object that I always enjoy looking at and studied even closer during this visit was the head of Nefertiti. I love the way her neck is so elongated, emphasizing her gracefulness and beauty. It also causes her to look very alert, like she knows all and sees all. The museum does a great job with the placement and lighting of Nefertiti. She definitely stands out and I can never walk by her without steely a second glance. The final object I want to highlight is the Hypostyle Hall Model. The model was made in 1894 after the temple designated for the worship of Amun-Ra. The model is so monumental, you begin to wonder how great the real thing in Karnak must be. The model is placed at a good level, making it possible to look through its columns and the intricate drawings and hieroglyphs. The height of the platform it is placed on also works to keep small children from touching it. There are signs posted asking visitors not to touch, so parents should inform their children that they shouldn’t touch it, but it is still very difficult for the little ones to resist exploring the seemingly foreign texture. In fact, I have even observed adults touching the model even though it is hard to miss the signage. All in all I think the museum does a great job with this exhibit and it is especially neat that they have a real mummy on display, although that is not really my cup of tea.

*All images are from the museum's website.

The Deke Slayton Memorial Space and Bike Museum, Sparta, Wisconsin Date Visited: August 13, 2006 Contact Information: (2nd floor) 200 West Main Street Sparta, Wisconsin 54656 Phone: 608-269-0033 888-300-5302 Fax: 608-269-4423 Email: info@dekeslaton.com Hours: Summer: Mon-Sat 10a.m.-4:30p.m. Sunday 1p.m.-4p.m. Winter: Mon-Fri 10a.m.-4p.m. Saturday by appointment only Admission: Adults-$3 Kids (6-15)-$1 Kids (5 and under)-Free Mission: “The Deke Slayton Memorial Space & Bike Museum, Inc. is dedicated to enhancing an understanding and encouraging an interest and appreciation in the career of Donald Kent "Deke" Slayton, History of Bicycling, Wisconsin Astronauts, and aviation in Monroe County.” Who is Deke Slayton?: Deke was born Donald Kent Slayton in Monroe county, which is also where I was born and raised. He served as a pilot in World War II and was chosen in 1959 to be “one of the elite seven,” America’s first group of astronauts called the Mercury 7. He is called “Monroe County’s most famous son.” My Experience: I first went to the bicycle exhibit called The New Freedom: The Bicycle Revolution in America. It is was really interesting to see how the bicycle evolved over the years. The exhibit included bikes that were first designed in Europe as well as those the Wright brothers invented. If you find yourself wondering why exactly this museum would be found in this small town in Wisconsin, it is because bicycling is really popular in the are and tourists often come to the area in order to take advantage of the Sparta-Elroy Bike trail that used to be railroad tracks. The trail is very scenic and well maintained by the DNR. My favorite part about it is that it has really neat old railroad tunnels to bike through. People will often bike the trails with their families and sometimes camp out along the way. One disappointment I found with this exhibit is that it does not give much information about the area’s interest in bicycling and the history of the trail. That could even stand alone as the theme of an entire exhibit. What I really enjoyed was the Draisine, a bike invented in Germany in 1816. It is also called the “walking machine” because it did not have any pedals and required someone to walk beside it, pushing whoever was sitting on it. The museum had a small exhibit on the history of aviation in the county, and I can’t recall the exact title of the exhibit. I like that they included a special section on Pearl Harbor. What makes it unique from other Pearl Harbor exhibits is that it is done through the perspective of a Pearl Harbor survivor from Monroe County, Verdeen W. Richgruber. The Deke Slayton exhibit did not disappoint. It was a great biographical exhibit, offering many details of his life and his accomplishments. I think the exhibit is especially interesting to me and others from the area because he was one of our own, and it reminds us that all of us are capable of doing great things with our own lives. When reflecting on the museum, which is relatively new, developed in 1999, I think it is a great thing for the community to have. I think it is a little odd to pair together bicycling and an astronaut, but it all makes since when considering the museum is trying to provide a history of the area and its greats.

Ijams Nature Center, Knoxville, TN Date Visited: December 1, 2006 Contact Information: 2915 Island Home Ave., Knoxville, TN 37920 Phone: 865-577-4717 Fax: 865-577-1683 Website: http://www.ijams.org/ Hours: The trails are open daily from 8 a.m. to dusk. The Visitor Center is open: Monday by appointment only Tuesday-Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mission: “To develop and maintain the park as a wildlife sanctuary. Ijams seeks to increase knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of the natural world by providing quality environmental education program and nature-related experiences for all people.” History: The Ijams Nature Center was developed on the land formerly owned by Harry and Alice Yoe Ijams. Their property consisted of a house and 20 acres of land, and both Harry and Alice loved the outdoors. Alice enjoyed gardening and Harry’s hobby was bird watching. They had four daughters and used part of the property for a Girl Scout’s summer day camp. When Harry died in 1954 and Alice followed ten years later in 1964, some Knoxville organizations worked together to purchase their land that now makes up the Ijams Nature Center. More land adjoining the Ijam’s property was also purchased, making the center even larger. My Experience: When I arrived at the Ijams Nature Center, I first went into the visitor’s center. Here, I looked at the exhibit on the history of the Ijams family. I really enjoyed the family artifacts included in this exhibit because it is interesting to see what the family would have used, like the door knocker. I also think it was a good idea to include the fake birds that Harry Ijams probably would have studied for fun when he was not looking at the real thing. The center also has live animals on exhibit. My favorite was the large snapping turtle. He was very active when I was watching him, swimming around in his big aquarium. Also in this area is their Conservation Cottage, which is really informative about what you can do in your own home to be more environmentally friendly. The building is made out of recycled materials and there were a lot of good tips on the inside of the house including information about recycling. After leaving the visitor’s center, I decided to check out the trails. I first walked the river trail, since I had enjoyed it the last time I visited the center. I love the part of this trail that goes down along the river. I sat on one of the benches for awhile and enjoyed the view. It was colder down by the river, but an unusually warm (and windy) morning anyway. I spent some time checking out the cave and was disappointed to see somebody’s garbage left behind in it. I was happy to not run into any snakes, which are all probably sleeping for the winter by now. From the river trail, I cut over onto the Discovery trail. I walked by the cool lotus pool and a sink hole. On this trail, I also got to see the old Ijam’s home site. Afterwards, I was quite tired, probably from all the wind, and I hike back to the visitor’s center, where I saw information about a program going on the next day for 2-3 year olds to learn about animals with feathers. It sounded like fun, but I don’t fit the age requirement and don’t know any 2-3 year olds in the area. Oh, well. I decide to go home then, which was a lucky decision considering what a huge drop in temperature there was. Note: I forgot my camera and found these images online.

“Mammy and Modernity: Narratives of the Faithful Slave in the Early-Twentieth-Century U.S.” Presentation by Professor Micki McElya

Sponsored by Department of Africana Studies and The School of Art at the University of Tennessee Date: Monday, October 2, 2006 Time: 2:30-3:30 p.m. Place: 1210 McClung Tower & Plaza About the Scholar: Assistant ProfessorDepartment of American StudiesUniversity of Alabama If you want to learn more about this topic Professor McElya has a book forthcoming from Harvard University Press, 2007 entitled Clinging to Mammy. Experience: Dr. McElya's presentation entitled “Mammy and Modernity: Narratives of the Faithful Slave in the Early-Twentieth-Century U.S. ” began with her introduction by a professor in the Africana Studies department of UT. He described a week of events including slide shows and photography exhibits pertaining to Afro-Americans and the Diaspora. The photography show he described is one I will write about in another entry that I viewed both at the UC and the Downtown Gallery. Dr. McElya began by giving some background information about the roles many slaves played in the eyes of many in the 19th and into the 20th centuries as the "faithful slave." She narrows down examining the idea of the "faithful slave" by looking only at the mammy figure and how she was thought of or even referred to like one of the family. She raised two issues with this train of thought pointing out that it separates the female slave from her own family and ignores the fact that many of them were actually biologically family. Next, she began to look at the fiction of the mammy character, describing where the narrative began. She showed the example of the character in Gone With the Wind made in 1939, where a black actress was told to play the role and then rewarded for her execution. Then she began discussing her primary example of a created mammy figure, Aunt Jemima. In 1893, the World's Fair in Chicago featured the first "just add water" pancake mix. It was here that Nancy Green, an African American woman, was paid to play the role of Aunt Jemima at their stand where she would cook the pancakes, sing, and tell stories about happy memories of life as a slave on a plantation in the south and how she came up with her pancake recipe, promoting Mammy just as much as the pancakes. Her narrative spread across the country and stories were even published about her life and the many great things her pancakes did for the country, such as feeding hungry soldiers. Dr. McElya went on to describe later World's Fairs, like the one in Atlanta, where there might not have been a woman playing Mammy, but there were other clear divides and evidence of the "faithful slave ideology." At this fair there was a "Negro Building," which was located in what believed to be the exotic and less civilized area of the fair (contrasting with the technological inventions.) Inside the "Negro Building" two figures were exhibited, one representing the past and one the future. The figure of the past was one of a mammy figure and Frederick Douglas represented the future. Dr. McElya discussed the idea of Mammy representing the past, although she never really existed in the sense that is most well known, and she also points out the problem of the woman figure being left in the past while the Afro-American people depend on the black male figure to prosper in the future. Dr. McElya's talk was very interesting, and I might even buy her book next year. One problem I did have with her presentation is that sometimes it did not flow very well from one idea to the next making it hard to follow. She always brought me back into it, but I think because the subject matter is so complex, it was hard to stick to the point without bringing in many other facts or ideas. All in all, it was well thought out and she asked many great questions, not afraid to delve even deeper into these difficult and sensitive issue.

Arlington National Cemetery, Washington, D.C. Date Visited: October 14, 2006 Contact Information: Arlington National Cemetery Arlington, Virginia 22211 (703) 607-8000 http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/index.htm Hours: 8a.m.-5p.m. October through March 8a.m.-7p.m. April through September Admission: Free Small fee for parking Tourmobile line rates are: Adults $6.00 Children (3–11) $3.00 Senior Citizens (65 years or older) $5.00 History: Arlington is made up of 200 acres and it was designated officially as a military cemetery June 15, 1864, by Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton. Veterans from every of the nation’s wars are buried in the cemetery, from the American Revolution through today’s wars. Experience: When I arrived at Arlington National Cemetery, I knew I would not want to take the touring buses, since I prefer to explore places on my own, especially a place like this. So, I went in the visitor’s center and got a map. The map was very easy to read and pointed out various spots of interest. I decided to first visit the graves of JFK and Bobby Kennedy. At JFK’s gravesite, the guard did a wonderful job enforcing everyone to be quiet and respectful. One woman was talking very loudly on her cell phone, and the guard was quick to respond. I was able to get a great shot of the quote engraved into the ledge of the monument with the Washington Monument in the background. The quote reads, “Let every nation know whether it wishes us well or ill that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.” The guard also had to inform a couple of individuals that they should not lean or sit on that ledge. These were not even kids, who naturally wouldn’t understand these rules, but adults doing these things. It’s amazing what people do in a place meant to pay respect to and honor the dead. Next, I visited Bobby Kennedy’s gravesite, which is right next to his brother’s. His resting place is very peaceful and almost seems remote. A simple white cross marks his grave and it faces a quiet fountain with a couple of his quotes. One of which reads, “It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped each time a man stands up for an ideal or acts to improve the lot of others or strikes out against injustice he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest wall of oppression and resistance.” After I paid my respects to the Kennedys, I went to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and watched the changing of the guard. The ceremony was performed with perfection. It is amazing to see what discipline the guards displayed in their movements, leaving no room for error. I then wondered up to the Memorial Amphitheater area and visited the memorials for the Challenger, the Columbia, and Audie Murphy’s gravesite. Afterwards, I just walked around enjoying the quiet and the scenery. Arlington is well taken care of even with the large number of tourists that come through.

The Frist Center for the Visual Arts, Nashville, TN Date Visited: November 17, 2006 Contact Information: 615.244.3340 919 Broadway, Nashville, Tennessee, 37203 http://fristcenter.org/site/default.aspx Hours of Operation: Monday-Wednesday 10:00a.m.–5:30p.m. Thursday-Friday 10:00a.m.–9:00p.m. Saturday 10:00a.m.-5:30p.m. Sunday, 1:00 - 5:30 p.m. (Cafe opens at noon on Sunday) Admission: 18 and under free Adults $8.50 College Students $6.50 Seniors $7.50 Military $7.50 *Free admission on Mondays with the donations of one non-perishable food item now until December 31, 2006. Facts: Mission Statement: “The mission of the Frist Center is to present and originate high quality exhibitions with related educational programs and community outreach activities.” The Frist Center for the Visual Arts is relatively young, just opening in 2001. It is located in the former Main Post Office building constructed in the early 1930s. In the 1980s, a new main post office was built, leaving the majority of the building unused. Thomas F. Frist, Jr. worked with the city to set up a center for visual arts, and in 1998, the building was thought to be a perfect venue for the center and was transferred to the city’s ownership to be used for this purpose. My Experience: When I visited the Frist Museum, the featured exhibition was Extra-Ordinary: The Everyday Object in American Art. This exhibit will be at the Frist until February 11, 2007, and I highly recommend going to see it. It is a traveling exhibit from the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York featuring over seventy paintings, drawings, photographs, prints, and sculptures. The Frist did an excellent job on the arrangement of the works, clearly denoting the chronology of the development of artworks made from everyday objects. First, the exhibit features works from the Dada and Surrealist movements by artists like Man Ray and then works its way into the era of Pop art with works by big names such as Andy Warhol, Claes Oldenburg, and Roy Lichtenstein. Claes Oldenburg’s famous Giant BLT (Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato Sandwich), 1963 is included in the exhibit as well as Warhol’s Tomato, 1968. Highlighting the trend in the 1990s, photographs by David Levinthal and James Casebere of fictional scenes play on popular culture. I do not have any of my own pictures of the works because the Frist Center prohibits the use of cameras in the galleries. The one to the right of Warhol's Tomato, 1968 is from the Frist's website. The gift shop has a lot of great books, posters, magnets, and jewelry. I found things I would have liked to get for many of my friends and family members as they carry a wide variety. However, it got way too expensive to get something for everyone. Afterwards, my husband and I got a bite to eat at a restaurant called The Flying Saucer just across the street on 10th Avenue. It is much of a museum itself with its wall filled with plates with individuals’ names on them. The pub is in an old rail station and is a very entertaining place to eat.

Nichols Arboretum, Ann Arbor, MI Date Visited: November 24, 2006 Contact Information: University of Michigan 1610 Washington Heights Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104-1700 Phone: 734-647-7600 Website: http://sitemaker.umich.edu/mbgna/home Hours of Operation: The Gardens and Trails are open everyday from 8am-dusk Admission: Free History/Facts: The Nichols Arboretum as well as the Matthaei Botanical Gardens were made possible by the University of Michigan in its 1817 Charter. The arboretum is located right next to the main campus and is made up of 123 acres of plants and trails. The layout of the gardens was designed by O.C. Simonds in 1906 and includes both plants native to Michigan as well as from other parts of the country and the world. My Experience: If you prefer a lot of color when viewing plants, November is not the best time of year to visit the Arboretum. The evergreen of the coniferous trees was beautiful but most of the deciduous trees had lost their leaves. My visit was still enjoyable, but I have to admit the two previous times I have visited the arboretum were much more aesthetically pleasing. However, I intentionally wanted to get a winter view of this place. The Nichols Arboretum is very important to me because it is where my husband proposed to me and also where we got married (see wedding picture above). My only previous experience in this living museum then was in the late spring and mid-summer. What is great about a place like this is the constant change as the plants go through their life cycles. What I love about this particular arboretum is that it has such a nice variety of dense trees and large open fields. Many benches are available to sit and enjoy the view, one of which is my particular favorite. It looks out over this long grassy field, which becomes a wonderful sight to see when the wind blows across the grass. It was at this bench that my husband proposed. Although the grass was not quite as green this time, it still danced for me and was very calming. The various trails within the arboretum are great for hiking and viewing the large variety of plants and trees. I not only have a favorite bench, but also a favorite tree, a large yellow oak. My husband and I got married under its huge branches. The tree is just above the Peony Gardens, probably the most famous of all the arboretum’s collections. I have yet to see the peonies in bloom but I have heard it is a beautiful sight to see. The best time to see them is in early June as shown in a picuture I found to the left. Another popular collection is one of many plants native to the Appalachian area. The arboretum is very well kept up and a great place not only for hiking, but also when it's warm enough, wading in the river. If you are ever in Ann Arbor, visit the Nichols Arboretum. Be sure to check out the events calendar, as many activities are held there throughout the year, including lectures and even theatrical performances. The Nichols Arboretum is a true treasure of Ann Arbor.

Antietam National Battlefield Date Visited: October 12, 2006 Contact Information: Antietam National Battlefield P.O. Box 158 Sharpsburg, MD 21782 Park Visitor Center(301) 432-5124 Park Headquarters(301) 432-7648 Fax (301) 432-4590 Admission: Free Hours: Open Year Round Memorial Day To Labor Day 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Labor Day To Memorial Day 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. *Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day History: On September 17, 1862 a battle broke out between the Union and Confederate soldiers that would lead to the "bloodiest one-day battle in American History." The battle marked the first time General Robert E. Lee and the Confederate soldiers invaded the north. As a response, President Abraham Lincoln sent General George B. McClellan to stop the Confederate advance. The battle lasted 12 hours, resulting in over 23,000 casualties, including six generals. The following night, Lee would retreat back into Virginia, leaving President Lincoln with an opportune time to issue the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation. Photographer Alexander Gardner documented the incident two days after the battle ensued, capturing the horrors of the war, including the image to the right of a burial crew. My experience: When I first got to the battleground, I went into the visitor’s center and museum. There, the park ranger was very helpful in giving out maps with trails on them, and the museum had many interesting artifacts from the battle. Also in the visitor’s center is a nice museum shop and a back room with glass walls which looks out over much of the field where the battle took place. While I was in this room, I caught the very end of a reenactment. I went outside to get a closer look, and although I was disappointed that I missed the majority of it, I was still fortunate to be able to see the men dressed in the old Confederate and Union uniforms. Although the main tour is an auto-tour, it was a nice day so I decided to walk through part of it. The tails were well maintained and clearly marked. Various points along the trail had large monuments that gave detailed information about the battle, which successfully made the grounds which I was standing on all the more meaningful. After awhile, I got back into the car and went over to the other part of the grounds where the Burnside Bridge is located. The area is beautiful, especially during the time I went with the fall foliage. It is also very serene and hard to imagine the fierce fighting that occurred there nearly 150 years ago. I also visited the Antietam National Cemetery. Initially, soldiers were buried rapidly sometimes in long trenches. Then, in 1864, the cemetery was established where many Union soldeirs were identified and buried. The Confederate soldiers were taken to other cemeteries to be buried because the Southern states had difficulty finding the funding to contribute to the effort. It is difficult to be confronted with such a large number of headstones, knowing that they all died on the same day. All in all I was very happy I went to Antietam. The grounds are well taken care of and very educational. Whether you are a Civil War history buff or not, Antietam is a great way to learn about American history.

The National Portrait Gallery Date Visited: October 13, 2006 Contact Information: 8th and F Streets, NW Washington, D.C. 20001 http://www.npg.si.edu/ (202) 633-1000 Hours: 11:30am-7pm Daily closed Christmas day Admission: Free Experience: The National Portrait Gallery holds a great collection of portraits of both historical and contemporary figures. It has the only complete collection of American presidents outside of the Whitehouse. Within the museum’s presidential collection is the infamous “Lansdowne” portrait of George Washington painted by Gilbert Stuart. President John F. Kennedy’s portrait is probably the most unique and least conservative painting of the presidential portraits. It is a beautifully done color screenprint on paper and is the work of Andy Warhol, made in 1968, five years after Kennedy’s death. Another gallery is full of portraits of contemporary Americans called “Americans Now.” My favorite was Rick Chapman’s photograph of Brett Favre. I am a little bias, as a Green Bay Packer fan from Wisconsin. The photograph was taken in 2001, and it emphasizes Favre’s all important and very skillful hands with his face in the background. Besides the presidents and the Favre photograph, there are many other exciting exhibits as well as a nice Portico Café that offers refreshments. The building alone is a sight to see. In the history of the city of Washington, it was the third public building constructed. It was recently renovated and reopened July 1, 2006. To the left is a picture of me in front of the F Street entrance. The monumentality of the building is not done justice in this photograph, but you can get the idea of its Greek style. Construction around the museum made it somewhat difficult to get around, as some of the sidewalks were closed off. However, the extra effort proved to be worth it.

The Don F. Pratt Memorial Museum Date Visited: September 9, 2006 Contact Information: (270) 798-3215 Building 5702 Tennessee Avenue Fort Campbell, KY 42223-5335 http://www.campbell.army.mil/pratt/index.html In order to get on base, you must get a visitor’s pass at the Visitors Center (Gate 4) Hours: Monday-Saturday 9:30am-4:30pm Closed Christmas and New Year’s Day Admission: Free Facts: The museum began in 1956 and is named after the first Assistant Division Commander for the 101st, Brigadier General Don F. Pratt who was killed in World War II. The building in which the collection is housed was formerly a movie theater, classroom, and auditorium used for basic training during the Vietnam War. Mission Statement: The museum theme centers around the history of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), the “Screaming Eagle.” It covers the period from the division’s activation in August 1942 to the present. Experience: The Don F. Pratt Museum has interior and exterior exhibits of military artifacts and memorabilia. It is very educational and beneficial to both visitors who know a lot about the military and its history and those who do not. The museum offers an educational and fun experience to people of all backgrounds. In its collection, the museum has both items that need to be preserved and exhibited behind glass and items that are encouraged to be touched and even crawled into. For example, items that belonged to Adolph Hitler as well as other Nazi officials along with explanations of what the items are and historical facts about the time period. Also in the museum’s possession is a restored World War II CG-4A “WACO” Cargo Glider. This type of airplane was used to transport troops and equipment into combat. It is suspended from the ceiling and visitors walk up stairs or a ramp to get into the small plane and experience the pilot’s point of view. I visited the museum with my two young nephews, and this was definitely their favorite part. There is also a Jeep on exhibit. Examples of various uniforms used in the past also hang for viewing. Videos about how the 101st conducts some of its operations as well as the events of Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. At the end of the museum there is a gift shop that sells things like coffee mugs, T-shirts, and bumper stickers. Then, when you go outside of the museum, there is much more to see at the Aircraft and Memorial Park, where four more aircraft are available for viewing. I highly reccomend going to this museum, even if military history is not one of your favorite subjects, the museum's manner of presenting the information proves to be very interesting.

The National Museum of American History Date Visited: June 18, 2006 Hours: closed

Admission: free Contact Information: Located on the National Mall Washington, D.C. Email: info@si.edu Phone: (202) 633-1000 Facts: The Museum opened to the public in January 1964 as the National Museum of History and Technology. In 1980, the Museum's name was changed to the National Museum of American History to better represent its basic mission. The is currently closed for renovation and is not scheduled to reopen until the summer of 2008. Mission Statement: "The National Museum of American History dedicates its collections and scholarship to inspiring a broader understanding of our nation and its many peoples. We create learning opportunities, stimulate imaginations, and present challenging ideas about our country's past." Experience: I visited the The National Museum of American History this summer while in D.C. A lot of times there is a long line to get into the museum but when I went, the line was not bad at all. When I walked through the door, I saw the huge flag that was hung outside of the pentagon on 9/11 hanging on the back wall. The wear and tear was apparent and it brought a flood of memories of the day into my mind. The flag is not completely attached to the wall so it waves as people pass by. After I paid my respects to the flag, I decided to walk through the exhibit on the first ladies. This exhibit offered great information about the roles the various first ladies played while their husbands' were in the White House. A lot of information was given about the issues and causes for which they fought. It also included information about how demanding the role of first lady can be, in keeping up an image and playing hostess. Many of the first ladies' dresses were on exhibit. Mary Todd Lincoln's dress is shown to the right. She the wore the dress in a photograph taken by Matthew Brady. The lighting was very low and the dresses were behind protective glass in order to preserve their delicate fabrics. Although the lighting made it difficult to see details of the gowns, it is an understandable measure the museum must take in caring for the collection. It was not only neat to see the dresses because they were once worn by these great women but also to witness the dramatic changes in style over the periods. Although this exhibit is now closed, it does travel to other museums. The exhibit is currently at the Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center. In March of next year, it is booked to go to the Ohio Historical Center in Columbus, OH. The exhibit costs $100,000 for a 12-week booking period and that does not include shipping. While the museum is closed, they still have their travelling exhibits as well as exhibits in other Smithsonian museums. For example, an exhibit entitled Treasures of American History is going to be shown in the National Air and Space Museum opening November 17th of this year. The exhibit will include more than 150 of the museum's items, including Kermit the Frog and Dorothy's ruby slippers.

The Customs House, Clarksville, TN Date Visited: September 9, 2006

Contact Information:

Commerce and 2nd Streets Historic Downtown, Clarksville, TN 37040 (931) 648-5780

http://www.customshousemuseum.org/index.htm

Hours:

Tuesday-Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Sundays 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Prices:

Adults $4, Seniors $3, College Students $2, Children 6-18 $1, under age 6 is free, Sundays are free to everyone, free parking for visitors

Experience: The Customs House proved to be an impressive museum especially for the small city of Clarksville. Right when I walked in, I was greeted by a friendly volunteer eager to answer any questions. I first visited their arts and crafts juried exhibition. This was a show of an eclectic collection of pieces ranging from a surrealist painting to a rug crocheted out of plastic grocery store bags.

The second gallery I entered was the work of Frank Lyne who does wood carvings. He uses a variety of woods, is very meticulous when it suits the subject matter, and loads his pieces with catchy titles that forced me to reconsider there meanings. He was a fun artist and left me feeling light hearted and curious yet not racking my brain.

Next was a gallery full of the work of Paul Harmon. I was very impressed by the use of wall space in this show. The ceiling is incredibly high in this room, and the layout of the show utilized all of the wall space efficiently. This artist uses a variety of pop art techniques in the commercial looking colors, lines, and multiples of pieces. Similar to Lyne, Harmon also uses titles to further explain the meaning of his work. For example, at first glance of one of his pieces of a gentleman wearing nothing but a cloth around his waist, surrounded by three beautiful women with lines going from the women to the man seemed to me to scream Paris and the beginning of the Trojan war with the Goddesses Athena, Hera, and Aphrodite. When I read the title, however, I was disappointed in myself for not recognizing the infamous stance of the protagonist, who just in his loin cloth stood with his head tilting down, leaning at the hips with the black lines piercing his skin. He was alluding to many previous painting of St. Sebastian, always depicted in this manner.

Next, I went downstairs to the kid friendly region. There was a huge exhibition of toy trains, which had switches and buttons for the viewers to play with that made various things happen, such as whistles blowing and swings swinging. A sign on the wall read, “Take the last train to Clarksville,” which is taken from the Monkees’ song about the city. Also downstairs was an entirely too much fun kids’ exploration zone that included optical illusions and a “bubble room.” In the bubble room, kids (and grown ups like myself) are encouraged to play with big hoops to see how big they can make bubbles. This is a great way to disprove the idea that museums are boring for children by encouraging them to enjoy their time at the museum and have fun learning.

The National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. Date Visited: October 14, 2006

Admission: free

Contact Information:

Constitution Avenue NW Washington, DC

http://www.nga.gov/ Hours: Monday-Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Gallery is closed on December 25 and January 1. Facts: The National Gallery of Art is home to many great works including paintings, sculptures, and works on paper. The collection includes over 110,000 works. My Experience: There is nothing quite like seeing a work of art you have studied and grown to appreciate in person. Having it there right in front of you, being able to get within inches to study and search for brush strokes and details not revealed by slides is amazing. I have always been attracted to John Singer Sargent’s Street in Venice, one of many of the works I got to see. The museum, then, had the advantage of winning my praises simply from its collection. However, I did like the set up, rooms winding back and separating the works by artist, location, and time. There were plenty of places to sit comfortably if I wanted to spend more time reading a particular piece. One thing that did bother me was the fact that when I go to a museum to look at works of art, I like the place to be quiet. I like to be able to contemplate and really take in what it is I am looking at. I like to feel as if I am either alone or with someone else who also truly appreciates the work. Usually, I am successful at doing this because I am good at tuning noises out and because many art galleries I visit are quiet. However, this was far from the case at the National Gallery. This was a major disappointment to me. Kids were running around, adults were not speaking in low tones, pictures kept being snapped, and I was annoyed. This problem was more of an issue in the Dutch and Italian sections, as people behaved this way in front of Rembrandt’s, Rubens’, and Andrea del Castagno’s works to name a few, but it seemed to dissipate in the American section. This made me a bit curious about Americans’ opinions of American art, but it could have just been a fluke.

Viewing the works alone makes going to the National Gallery a valuable experience. I think next time, I will try to go at a time during the day when it might not be so busy.

Monet, Waterloo Bridge, Gray Day, 1903

The National Zoo, Washington, D.C. Date Visited: October 12, 2006

Contact Information:

3001 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

http://nationalzoo.si.edu/default.cfm

Hours: The grounds are open everyday from 6 a.m.-8 p.m.

Admission: Admission is free

Facts: Founded in 1889 by an act of congress, the national zoo has dedicated itself to providing the best care for the animals and making advancements in science. The zoo is a part of the Smithsonian Institute and has nearly 2,400 animals that include 400 different species. Lectures, symposiums, and classes are regularly offered at the zoo, and it is also a venue for other events such as birthday parties. The experience: For me, going to any zoo is always full of mixed feelings. First, I really enjoy seeing all of the animals, some of which I would have to travel to far off lands to see. But second, I feel guilty for gawking at these animals who are being held captive and would no doubt be happier if they could only roam free in their natural environment. Then again, scientists learn a lot about the animals, and they get the medical care animals in the wild could only dream of, if they indeed dream. The information learned in the research done at zoos allows scientists to apply their knowledge to help animals in the wild. Zoos can also be beneficial in the preservation and breeding of endangered species. As far as animal variety, this zoo did not disappoint. I saw pandas, giraffes, lions, sea lions, tigers, zebras, gorillas, elephants, and my favorite, the tamarins. The golden lion tamarins are free to go wherever they wish within the zoo. Usually they stick to the same section of trees, but sometimes they venture out a little further. They were very playful, and visitors are advised to put away any food they might have when near them because they may try to take it. Native to southeastern Brazil, they are endangered due to a loss in habitat. So, in this case it seems good to have them at the zoo. On the other side, the gorillas seemed depressed. Their habitat seemed big and perhaps realistic to their natural habitat, but they seemed bored.

The zoo was easy to navigate with helpful maps posted. Misters were set up in a couple of locations for hot days, which were not necessary when I was there but are probably great for those hot and humid D.C. summer days. I found it was worth going bright and early before the crowd gets too bad. Also, the volunteers were very friendly, and one working in the Tamarin section was very knowledgeable and willing to tell us about the animal while she worked, recording their location.

The National Sculpture Garden

Roy Lichtenstein, House I, 1996-1998

Date Visited: October 13, 2006

Contact Information:

On the National Mall at 7th Street and Constitution Ave. Washington, DC

(202) 737-4215 Hours: Monday–Saturday open 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Sunday open 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. Admission: Free My Experience: Walking through the National Sculpture Garden was a wonderful experience. As I walked around corners, sculptures would be revealed within the bushes and trees. Some of the sculptures were monumental, yet they did not steal my concentration from the work I was studying. Because of that, I think the garden was planned out really well with no one sculpture taking all of the attention. Some of the works were bold in color, however, and did not seem to belong in the natural environment. Perhaps this was intended and meant to be used for emphasis. In fact, it seemed to be a recurring theme in the sculptures since many of them were geometric and metallic, possessing a man made quality. These I liked, however. My favorite piece in the garden is the Cluster of Four Cubes by George Rickey. Although the cubes look heavy, they twirl in the wind, displaying the effects the natural world has on man made objects. One thing I was disappointed about was the large fountain in the center of the garden was empty. It was probably being cleaned or prepared for the winter months when it is used as an ice-skating rink. Within the sculpture garden is The Pavilion Cafe. Although I did not stop to eat, it seemed like a nice place to grab a bite to eat. Really the only places to eat that are directly on the mall are the cafes in the museums, so it is a good idea to take note of them. The cafe had both indoor and outdoor seating, and of course it offers a wonderful veiw of the garden and fountain.

Whenever you find yourself on the National Mall, and you have some free time, head over to the National Sculpture Garden, especially if it is a nice day. Even if you do not have a long time, it does not take very long to walk through it, and you do not have to wait in the long lines that seem to be the trend at many other museums on the mall. It is also a great place to get a bite to eat.

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Date Visited: October 13, 2006 Contact Information: 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place, SW Washington, DC 20024 www.ushmm.org 202-488-0400 Hours: Daily 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Mission Statement: "The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is America's national institution for the documentation, study, and interpretation of Holocaust history, and serves as this country's memorial to the millions of people murdered during the Holocaust...The Museum's primary mission is to advance and disseminate knowledge about this unprecedented tragedy; to preserve the memory of those who suffered; and to encourage its visitors to reflect upon the moral and spiritual questions raised by the events of the Holocaust as well as their own responsibilities as citizens of a democracy." My Experience: When I visited The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, I had already visited the permanent exhibit. So, I decided to go to a temporary exhibit entitled "A Dangerous Lie: Protocols of the Elders of Zion." The exhibit went over the origin of Antisemitism and then displayed evidence of its growth and continuance into current societies. It focuses on the publication Protocols of the Elders of Zion and its spread across the world through translation. Although the protocols have been proven to be fraud, many individuals still take the work as true and continue to hold antisemitic thoughts. Examples are given of individuals who make their antisemitic beliefs public even today. I liked the way the exhibit was laid out. It was clear and easy to follow. Located on the lower level, it is juxtaposed against the Children's Tile Wall, which is made up of hundreds of tiles with children's drawing on them as a memorial to all of the children who died in the Holocaust. In my opinion, this placement enhances the exhibit by giving a reminder of how dangerous an ideology like antisemitism can be. Here is a portion of the Tile Wall:

At the end of the exhibit there was a video that gave a brief history of antisemitism. The set up was simple but effective in that there were barriers up around the viewing area, which diminished any possible distractions.

The following link is to the museum's webpage on the exhibit. Check out the short video on the page of the curator speaking about the exhibit. http://www.ushmm.org/museum/exhibit/focus/antisemitism/

On the main floor of the museum, there is a gift shop with many great books on genocide. It also has buttons, stickers, bracelets, and many other small items that have big messages of remembrance.

I think everyone should visit this museum at some point, especially the permanent exhibit. It is not only educational, but also moving in that it tries to offer a view of the holocaust in totality, something very important for everyone to learn about.