National Museum of American History

On April 6, 2017, the Fellows traveled to the National Museum of American History (NMAH), where Harry Rubenstein, curator and the chair of the Division of Political History at the museum, was our guide for the afternoon. Through presentation, tour and discussion, the afternoon was devoted to the major exhibit American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith, which opens on June 28, 2017 and its companion exhibit, Many Voices: One Nation, opening the same day. Fellows were given an engaging overview of American political history and the role the Smithsonian has played in preserving that history.

As the staff was developing this exhibit under Harry’s leadership, focus was given to a series of questions: Who gets to participate in American democracy? How do they participate? In what kinds of ways? What should society do to support this? These discussions led to the five-part exhibit that will trace the history of citizen participation, debate and compromise that have been consistent threads in the American story from the struggles to form the union to the turmoil of the present day.

Prior to touring the exhibit space, Fellows had the opportunity to see objects that will be on display in June- a log cabin from William Henry Harrison’s 1840 presidential campaign, the inkwell Lincoln used to draft the Emancipation Proclamation and a butterfly ballot from Florida and the presidential election of 2000- while Harry provided commentary, allowing the group to engage more deeply with each item. Touring the exhibit space as it is being constructed was a highlight of the afternoon. Fellows moved from section to section as Harry explained the layout of the exhibit, demonstrating how each section will flow into the next- needless to say, all are eager to return this summer to see the finished exhibit.

The last part of the afternoon was spent in informal discussion covering topics such as how decisions as to what objects to add to the archives are made, how objects were selected for this particular exhibit, what democracy looks like today, how it continues to evolve, and the challenges that continue to demand our attention. The afternoon was informative, stimulating, enriching, thought provoking and, as is always the case at NMAH, one that will continue to generate conversation.