Saturday we started the day off by going to the American History museum. They had so many exhibits, just like all the museums here, that my little group barely scratched the surface before we’d had enough of the crowds and moved on. What we did get to see was pretty cool. We went through a technology exhibit, mostly dedicated to Thomas Edison. (Who was a thug, but no one ever mentions that part.) It was interesting to see the development of electricity and see the change in efficiency and size over time. There were all kinds of light bulbs, circuits, an electric marshmallow toaster, an early model vacuum cleaner, electric socks, and vintage signs touting the value of whatever new products were out. One of the things that stood out the most to me was how the ads were drawn along traditional/stereotypical gender lines. An ad for a softer-light casting light bulb was all about how the woman of the house doesn’t want harsh light, but harsh doesn’t mean dim, and how homier and softer this light bulb would make the home.
We also saw Julia Child’s kitchen. It was a really small exhibit and very crowded. Her cooking videos were playing, tidbits about her life and contributions were posted around the room, and you could look into the kitchen area but not go in. We also saw a war exhibit. It was so packed we decided to go in the exit and work our way backwards so we didn’t have to wait to get in. It was actually a neat way to do it, working back from what I in my short life have experienced in the news and from people I knew who served in the war, to wars that I know only what I have read in history books. The exhibit started with information on the current war against terror, with information on the 9/11 attacks and pieces of steel bars from the towers. The section on Vietnam was a curious commentary on how much television began to play a part in foreign affairs. There wasn’t a mention of media bias or anything like that, of course. There were plenty of pictures of the anti-war movement and anti-war propaganda posters. The contrast between this and the WWII section was stark. The pro-war, pro-America propaganda was so overblown some of it was inadvertently funny. However, both exhibits were such reminders that people in general are much more influenced by propaganda materials than they even know, or would ever care to admit. Repetition of message is a powerful tool in getting people to follow what you want them to. Hitler knew it. Roosevelt knew it. Hope and change!
We also watched a little movie about the wars. It showed clips from the more recent ones, and artistic renderings of the older ones, with voice-overs from actual survivors, including John McCain, veterans’ family members, or readings of letters and famous quotes from the wars, starting with the American Revolution. William referred to this the rest of the day as the “crying movie” since Carrie, Joy, and I were all bawling by the time it was over. To be reminded of the reality of the storming of Normandy, to see the crosses marking our soldiers in cemeteries all over the world, and to think of all the families who never saw their father/husband/brother/son/friend again, was overwhelming.
Once we left the museum, we hopped on the Metro to Chinatown for lunch. The food was great; the service was terrible. Not much else to say about that :)
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