Smithsonian Portrait Gallery

 Perhaps because of its location which is NOT right on the DC Mall.... we have never visited the Portrait Gallery before.  The building itself is worth a visit, but the contents were amazing as well.   As are the rest of the museums of the Smithsonian.... they are free.   It is only a few blocks away from the mall area... well worth the extra steps.

Atrium.... perfect respite from a hot day outside.... the little pools of water on the floor are perfect for little ones.....

The restoration of the building opened up the ceiling with massive skylights.....

Controversial Portrait of Michelle Obama

Clinton Portrait - Interesting Artistic Technique... See Below......

I read at a later date that this portrait was only placed in the museum AFTER Clinton rejected the original more formal portrait that was done of him. 

Barack Obama
One of the joys of viewing this portrait is to watch the lines of people waiting to take their photographs WITH the portrait.

Folded Paper - Silhouettes

Arrangement of Numbers Creates the Portrait

Part of an Exhibit of Portraits - All from 1968

Great Variety of Exhibits - This One is CANES

If Michelle Obama's portrait were done more in this style, I would imagine it would be more popular... Most people think that it does not flatter her at all. 

Holocaust Memorial Museum




The Holocaust Memorial Museum has timed entry passes that are available online.  Currently the cost is $1 per ticket and it allows you to enter the main exhibit which starts on the top floor and winds down 3 floors to the main floor.   It traces the systematic persecution and annihilation of European Jews by Nazis and their collaborators from 1933 through 1945.  Because of the nature of the exhibits, it is a very somber experience and I took few photos.  This was my second visit to the Museum.... this time with my two 10 year old grandchildren who had been reading books about the time period.  They were curious visitors who read and listened throughout the museum.  If you do not arrange to see the main exhibit ahead of time there is an exhibit on the main floor called "Daniel's Story" which is available to everyone and takes the story of the time to a level more appropriate for younger children. 

Jolie and Abby Listening to Background Information

National Postal Museum

 

 Located near the restored Union Station, the Postal Museum is free and open to the public.  It is housed in the former DC Post Office building and in itself that architecture is amazing.

Main Lobby

Stagecoach

Ceiling Leading to Main Exhibits

Many beautiful exhibits of stamps throughout the museum...... for a stamp collector, this museum would be heaven!
 

Special Exhibit for Hamilton (Pistols Used in the Duel)

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Exterior of the Museum

Opened in 2016, the demand to get into this FREE part of the Smithsonian is still pretty huge.   In the photo you can see the lines for entry in the afternoon.   For right now, timed tickets are available online at 6:30 a.m. for same day entry.   There is also a way to get timed entry tickets several months in advance, but most of us are not organized enough to make that happen!   In September of 2018 they will be experimenting with a "no ticket needed" entry on weekdays.  So, visiting the website will give you the up to date information on the easiest way to gain entry to visit.


 The information desk suggested that we visit the museum by visiting the historical exhibits in sequential order....... which is from the lowest floor in the museum moving up to ground level.  It is a powerfully told story that includes slavery and the Civil Rights movement.  Because of the solemnity of the visitors, I took very few photos in this part of the museum.

After walking up the floors, through the sequential exhibits..... the next place we visited were the cultural floors.....the culture and community of the African American population is vividly displayed on the two upper floors of the museum with exhibits on athletics and the arts.

The Mother Ship and George Clinton

In this room, made to look like a record shop, there is an interactive screen to allow the visitor to select the music playing in the room.

Venus and Serena Williams

Looking Out Toward another Smithsonian Building