Showing posts with label National Mall. Show all posts
Showing posts with label National Mall. Show all posts

Sunday, January 1, 2023

Let the American History Museum entertain you!

The entrance to Entertainment Nation, National Museum of American History/Photo by Patricia Leslie
 
This is Althea Gibson's Wimbledon uniform when she won the women's singles title in 1957, the first black player to win the title there and at the U.S. National Championship. Displayed at Entertainment NationNational Museum of American History/Photo by Patricia Leslie
When the Dixie Chicks (now, just the Chicks) spoke out against George Bush and his Iraq war in 2006, they endured immediate backlash which didn't stop them from becoming the best-selling all-woman band and best-selling country group in the US. At the time I went right out and immediately bought two of their albums to show my support for the Chicks. This is a poster at Entertainment NationNational Museum of American History/Photo by Patricia Leslie
In 1992 Kristi Yamaguchi became the first Asian American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in figure skating. Her grandparents had been held captive by the U.S. government in a Japanese internment camp in World War II.  Her signed 1990s skates and photo are at Entertainment Nation, National Museum of American History/Photo by Patricia Leslie
This is Cyndi Lauper's outfit from the cover of her solo debut album, She's So Unusual (1983). At Entertainment Nation, National Museum of American History/Photo by Patricia Leslie
Who remembers Howdy Doody?  He's here, too, at Entertainment Nation, National Museum of American History with Mr. Rogers's red sweater and shoes/Photo by Patricia Leslie
Thank you, Billie Jean King for beating that rascal and "male chauvinist pig" (his words) Bobby Riggs in 1973 in a heralded moment in tennis!  This is the uniform she wore in the "Battle of the Sexes" match. At Entertainment Nation, National Museum of American History/Photo by Patricia Leslie

The Lone Ranger and Tonto are here, too. This is a mask Clayton Moore wore as the Lone Ranger, 1949-1957, found at Entertainment NationNational Museum of American History/Photo by Patricia Leslie
This is the Cardinal Wolsey costume worn by actress Charlotte Cushman around 1857 at the Entertainment Nation exhibition/Photo by Patricia Leslie
No need to identify these celebs at Entertainment NationNational Museum of American History/Photo by Patricia Leslie
Prince's "yellow cloud" guitar from 1983 at Entertainment Nation, National Museum of American History/Photo by Patricia Leslie

All those area stranded Southwest Airlines customers waiting at National Airport must have found their way to the National Mall for that's where it seems like thousands converged like it was July 4th in December,  but, maybe it's always like this during Christmas week.


Anyway, it’s been a long time since I’ve been to the National Museum of American History, one of my stopping places during Christmas break.


At the information counter, I told the volunteer I was an area resident, searching for something new at the museum.  

Did he have any recommendations?

"Well," he said, "there’s the entertainment section which is new. I was up there about 30 minutes ago, and it was like…" and he trailed off like it was the Southwest Airlines counter at everywhere.


He was right; 
Entertainment Nation was crazy packed, like Disney World in a museum, the place was slammed, but not crowded enough that you couldn't move pretty fast through the aisleways if you know how to manuever.


But where was my fave, Michael Jackson? Maybe I missed him amidst all the people. 

Nowhere could I find Michael but there was Prince and his yellow guitar, and Cyndi Lauper's dress and Diana Ross's dress and lots more. Even, Mr. Rogers's sweater! 

It's Howdy Doody Time

But, no Michael.

Photographs by Richard Avedon adjacent to Entertainment Nation at the National Museum of American History/Photo by Patricia Leslie
The reading room at the Richard Avedon photo show at the National Museum of American History/Photo by Patricia Leslie 
 
The reading room at the Richard Avedon photo show at the National Museum of American History/Photo by Patricia Leslie



Meanwhile, across the hallway was a Richard Avedon exhibition, a disorganized mess and confusing to boot. He (1923-2004) was THE photographer of famous persons, just a few of whom are included in this maze.

The subjects are not identified with their pictures. No, across the aisle are labels with names and you only have to walk back and forth across the aisle to see who is pictured "left" and who is "far left" and who is "right" and who is "far right" and "center," and upstairs and downstairs, and there will be a test at the end to see if you can still walk straight.

A wheel chair would be useful at this presentation and the museum has a few to loan out!

The best part of the Richard Avedon show is the reading room where visitors may sit (or sleep, depending upon energy level) in comfortable chairs and leaf through actual copies of old (like 50 years old!) Life magazines, Highlights for Children, and more.

The magazines' advertisements are the best parts ("Do not let baby sleep on pillows!" admonishes one with a drawing of a mother tucking her baby on top of a pillow), and include many "motion picture" ads and a feature on It's A Wonderful Life!

Thank you, Richard Avedon's estate, for donating (I am guessing) these photos to the Smithsonian, but this exhibition could stand for reorganization, if you will.

I think I've figured out Michael Jackson's omission: his estate has not donated anything. Is that right? It is unfathomable that the Smithsonian with all its possessions would omit Michael Jackson from this inaugural exhibit so...

Please, Michael Jackson Estate if you are reading this, donate something, anything (THE glove? A show costume? P l e a s e) to the Smithsonian Institution so we all can enjoy it and not have his likeness and belongings omitted from this grand exhibition! Thank you for consideration.

And, thank you, contributors, for your gifts to the nation so we may see them up close and personal.

Applause to the Smithsonian for including all labels in Spanish, too!

And, if hungry, take your big wallet to NMAH. The fixuns' at the Museum's cafeteria ain't cheap. No charge for mustard!

What
: Entertainment Nation "will feature a powerful, ever-changing selection of objects and interactive experiences" embracing theater, television, film, music and sports.

When: Now through "ongoing." The Museum is open daily, 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. but hours on New Year's Day and January 2, 2023 hours may vary. Call to find out: 202-633-1000.

Where: National Museum of American History, 1300 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20560. Museum entrances are located on Constitution Avenue on the first floor and Madison Drive (National Mall) on the second floor. There may be a short wait to enter the building.For more information: 202- 633-1000

Tickets: Always free admission at NMAH!

Metro stations: The Smithsonian and the Federal Triangle stations.

patricialesli@gmail.com





Friday, May 22, 2020

Bike the sites on the Mall


Detail from the Vietnam Women's Memorial on the National Mall, dedicated on Armistice Day, 1993 and designed by Glenna Goodacre (1939-2020)/Photo by Patricia Leslie

I am a lucky gal! Not too far from the National Mall where I can hop on a bike and go riding the sites to see beautiful statues, art and scenery.  The Mall is so big, there's plenty to see.  Come on aboard, mates, for a wonderful time, corona-free, on a Sunday afternoon. Or, anytime.


Happy Memorial Day to veterans everywhere!  We thank you.
Photo by Patricia Leslie    

Our first stop was in Bolivar Gardens a block north of the National Mall where Virginia, C and 18th streets meet in Washington, D.C. This park was named after "the Liberator" Simon Bolivar (1783-1830).

The Republic of Venezuela gave the statue to the U.S. in 1958 which is across the street from the Pan American Union Building of the Organization of American States. Felix de Weldon designed it and the Iwo Jima Memorial.

Here, General Bolivar, proud centerpiece of the park, leads troops to freedom from Spain which formerly occupied what is now Venezuela, Bolivia, Columbia, Equator, Peru, and Panama. 
Near General Bolivar and the Lincoln Memorial is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial with the names of 58,318 veterans who died as a result of the war. Some 3,000,000 persons visit the memorial every year, designed in blind competition by Yale University student, Maya Lin (b. 1959)/Photo by Patricia Leslie
Across the grass from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is the Vietnam Women's Memorial dedicated on Armistice Day, 1993, designed by Glenna Goodacre (1939-2020)/Photo by Patricia Leslie
 The Vietnam Women's Memorial/Photo by Patricia Leslie
 Detail from the Vietnam Women's Memorial/Photo by Patricia Leslie
The sculptor's signature stone at the Vietnam Women's Memorial/Photo by Patricia Leslie
Photo by Patricia Leslie 

Between the WWII and the Lincoln memorials and not far from the Korean War Veterans Memorial, is the District of Columbia War Memorial which lists in alphabetical order the names of all 499 District men and women who died in World War I service. Not rank, not race, nor gender is important at this memorial.

The website at the National Park Service says the structure is big enough to accommodate the U.S. Marine Corps band and was built as a bandstand for concerts to honor the war dead. 

General John J. Pershing and John Philip Sousa, the former conductor of the Marine Corps Band, were among the thousands who attended or listened to live radio coverage of the ceremony when President Herbert Hoover dedicated the War Memorial on Armistice Day, November 11,1931.

For years the memorial stood unattended, in poor condition, hidden in trees, unseen by many, neglected and languishing until 2010 when a $3.6 million grant paid for its restoration. Since then, the roof (below) has deteriorated and needs work.

The D.C. War Memorial on the National Mall with a rusty canopy, in need of refurbishment/Photo by Patricia Leslie
From a cluster of cherry blossom trees, the Washington Monument rises/Photo by Patricia Leslie
The centerfold of the World War II Memorial is the Lincoln Memorial, seen in the distance. The DC Memorial stands in the trees on the left, and the Vietnam memorials, in the trees on the right/Photo by Patricia Leslie
A host of golden daffodils border the entrance to the 9th Street Expressway adjacent to the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History/Photo by Patricia Leslie
Beautiful, fragrant hyacinths dot the landscape somewhere on the Mall/Photo by Patricia Leslie
Snow in springtime? It happens, but these pretties were also along the walkway beside the Natural History museum/Photo by Patricia Leslie
Photo by Patricia Leslie 

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt summoned his friend, Supreme Court Justice Felix Frankfurter, and told him that if a memorial were erected to the president, FDR would like it to be about the size of his desk, please, nothing fancy, but a location at the corner of the U.S. National Archives would be nice.  And so it was, dedicated on the 20th anniversary of President Roosevelt's death, April 12, 1965 on Pennsylvania Avenue.
The FDR Memorial at National Archives/Photo by Patricia Leslie
The Vietnam Women's Memorial/Photo by Patricia Leslie

The museums are still closed but that doesn't keep hundreds from enjoying the statuary and beautiful scenery at the Mall where spaciousness permits easy social distancing. Mask wearers vary from about a third a few weeks ago to more than half now.

Yes! Get on that bike and ride, have fun, and learn a thing or two. (Read other recent posts "on the Mall": the delay of the dedication of the Eisenhower Memorial and a sad Earth Day Park.)


patricialesli@gmail.com

Monday, March 30, 2020

Love in the time of corona

Wedding joy amidst the cherry blossoms on Constitution Avenue/Photo by Patricia Leslie
Now this is bliss, amidst the cherry blossoms near the Washington Monument. The white figure in the distance is the bride seen in the photo above/Photo by Patricia Leslie
Could this be love in the cherry blossoms?/Photo by Patricia Leslie
Between the rows of flags at a famous address in Washington, D.C., the Washington Monument stands center/Photo by Patricia Leslie
Guards making rounds on Sunday afternoon at the White House and leaves blowing in the wind at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue were almost the only things moving outside the gates/Photo by Patricia Leslie

On the 15th St. NW side of the White House on Sunday afternoon/Photo by Patricia Leslie
At the Department of Justice building, patriot Nathan Hale (1755-1776) stands erect, continuing to serve his country. He was a spy for the Continental Army, captured by the British and executed. "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country," or a variation of these words were supposedly his last and are carved at the base of the statue./Photo by Patricia Leslie
At the Federal Trade Commission building on Constitution Avenue, Gov. Andrew Cuomo  arrives to rein in the rampaging disease /Photo by Patricia Leslie
Parking was easy to find along Constitution Avenue Sunday afternoon, and the sidewalks were almost empty. We went for exercise and biking which is allowable under present rules/Photo by Patricia Leslie
Degas at the Opera will open again, won't it? Before it closes again, this time, scheduled to exit July 5, 2020 at the National Gallery of Art/Photo by Patricia Leslie
Multi-colored red tulips brighten a sad afternoon at the U.S. Botanic Garden. We may not be able to go inside the Botanic Garden building, but we can surely enjoy the scenery outside/Photo by Patricia Leslie
More beauty at the U.S. Botanic Garden/Photo by Patricia Leslie
The U.S. Botanic Garden/Photo by Patricia Leslie
A host of golden baby daffodils, tulips, and hyacinths at the U.S. Botanic Garden. Is there a fragrance any better than hyacinths'?/Photo by Patricia Leslie
One of the loveliest park scenes in all of D.C. when the Bartholdi Fountain is working. Prithee, Architect of the U.S. Capitol, wherefore are thou, water? Shut off for coronavirus?  We cannot enjoy the park's beauty?/Photo by Patricia Leslie
Have the Russians landed in D.C. to join their friend in the White House? What looks like Catherine the Great's gift to her Grandfather-in-Law, Peter the Great (which welcomes visitors at the River Neva in St. Petersburg) is actually General Jose de San Martin (1778-1850) "Liberador" and "Leader of the Argentine Independence," a statue which is found in Triangle Park at Virginia Ave., NW and 20th St., NW. It's a copy of one in Buenos Aires, sculpted by Augustin-Alexandre Dumont who completed the original in 1862.  Argentina gave this duplicate in 1925, and it was rededicated in 1976, according to the Smithsonian Institution Research Information System/Photo by Patricia Leslie
 More about General Jose de San Martin at his statue/Photo by Patricia Leslie
General Jose de San Martin (1778-1850) "Liberador" and "Leader of the Argentine Independence" found in Triangle Park at Virginia Ave., NW and 20th St., NW/Photo by Patricia Leslie
Peter the Great Statue, the Bronze Horseman, a gift to Peter from Catherine the Great dedicated in 1782, St Petersburg, Russia. Note the similarities to Gen. Juan de San Martin's statue, the outstretched right hand, the rearing horse (which strikes a serpent under Peter). The "Thunder Stone" which holds Peter is the largest ever moved by humans (1768)/Photo by Patricia Leslie
Peter the Great Statue, the Bronze Horseman, St Petersburg, Russia/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 
Peter the Great Statue, the Bronze Horseman, St Petersburg, Russia/Photo by Patricia Leslie


Tiptoe through the daffodils and smell their fragrance at the U.S. Botanic Garden/Photo by Patricia Leslie


PatriciaLesli@gmail.com