ANDREA: Welcome to the Smithsonian's
National
Museum of American History. I'm Andrea
Lowther,
Director of Visitor Services.
A visit to our Museum is a great way
to learn
about the American experience.
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Our collections and programs tell the
stories
of individuals whose courage and
inspiration
have made their mark on all of us.
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We think this is the best way to make
history
really come alive for new generations
of Americans!
STUDENT VISITORS: The only thing we
have
to fear is fear itself!
ANDREA: Our three floors of
exhibitions,
and the Museum's wide variety of daily
programs,
offer terrific opportunities for
learners
of all ages to engage with their
history.
Admission is free.
STUDENT: Being a wash woman is hard
work!
ANDREA: As a vital part of the
Smithsonian,
the Museum welcomes everyone,
including visitors
with disabilities. The entire facility
is
wheelchair accessible, and sign
language interpreters
are available, if requested at least
two weeks
in advance.
VISITOR: Thank you very much!
EMPLOYEE: You're welcome!
ANDREA: Planning ahead is the number
one
key to a successful visit. We suggest
you
allow, at minimum, an hour and a half,
more
if you plan to have lunch. For the
most successful
visit, we recommend you choose one or
two
themes, so your group will have a more
focused
experience. It's almost impossible to
see
everything in one visit!
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Planning should start with a trip to
our website,
where you'll find the best,
most-up-to-date
information about daily programs and
facilities.
Remember, even our "permanent"
exhibitions
are closed on occasion, so our website
will
let you know what will be on display
when
you arrive, and which galleries may be
closed
for renovation.
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While you're visiting our website,
check our
school visit page for pre and post
visit materials.
For example, your students may enjoy
watching
our short orientation video before
they arrive.
Our they can select a downloadable
self guide.
Finally, we encourage you to save time
by
using our convenient online form to
register
your group in advance.
If your group arrives by bus, ask the
driver
to drop off, and pick up, on the Mall
side
of the building unless otherwise
posted.
Before everyone gets off, remind them
to leave
their backpacks behind, along with
anything
else they don't need. That way, your
group
can speed through security.
Once inside, if you have not already
registered
online, please register at the Welcome
Center
centrally located next to the Mall
entrance.
Staff there will provide you with maps
and
other materials.
It's good to let your group know where
to
gather at the end of your visit.
Younger students should stay with
their chaperones
at all times.
Some older students might enjoy time
to explore
on their own, especially if they've
thought
ahead about what they'd like to see.
Your students will have many
opportunities
to interact with our friendly staff.
DOCENT: This is actually water
vapor...
ANDREA: At carts throughout the
Museum,
we offer objects that can be touched
DOCENT: ...worn by women in El
Salvador...
ANDREA: ...and encourage visitors to
share
their responses with staff and
volunteers.
Demonstrations, daily performances,
and docents
stationed throughout the galleries
enhance
the visitor experience.
If at any time, visitors in your group
need
help, they should ask a member of our
friendly
staff.
SECURITY GUARD: What happened?
In an emergency, please find a
security officer.
This brings to mind the important role
of
chaperones. Besides the obvious and
essential
role of guiding young people toward
behaviors
that will keep them, and other
visitors, safe,
properly prepared chaperones
facilitate learning
by modeling active listening and
participation.
CHAPERONE: She was one of the first
female
college professors...
ANDREA: Please make chaperones part
of your
pre-visit planning, that way, they'll
be active
partners in your students' learning
when they
get to the Museum.
It's funny how a visit to the Museum
can build
up the appetite! While we don't have
bag lunch
facilities, you may purchase meals or
snacks
in our main cafeteria. But please
remember,
food and drinks may not be consumed
anywhere
else in the Museum. If you have bag
lunches,
we recommend you leave them on the
bus, or
have the chaperones hold onto them
during
the visit. In good weather, you can
picnic
outdoors.
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Groups of twenty or more may contact
Smithsonian
Group Sales to make special
arrangements for
menu is available on our website.
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CROWD: I'm on my way, to freedom
land, I'm
on my way, to freedom land!
ANDREA: Don't let your engagement
stop when
you leave the building. Keep in touch
using
our website where you'll find
follow-up activities,
have a chance to ask questions, and
share
thoughts about your visit.
Don't miss History Explorer, the
special section
for educators. It offers
standards-based lesson
plans for your classroom and insight
into
selected objects from our collection
for different
grade levels.
Our goal at the National Museum of
American
History is that visitors will take
away the
idea that history is made by real
people,
like you.
And who knows? Maybe one day, the
Museum will
be telling your story, or the story of
one
of your students.
Enjoy your visit to the National
Museum of American History!
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