Exciting news from an email:
“The National Geographic Society will open the National Geographic Museum of Exploration at its global headquarters in downtown D.C. on June 26, featuring 100,000 square feet of new public space dedicated to inspiring the explorer in every visitor. Starting today, visitors can purchase presale tickets.
The Museum of Exploration features an unprecedented collection of immersive and educational experiences, all under one roof
– like the newly announced exhibition “In Focus: Photographs of National Geographic,” a curated display of the organization’s most powerful and enduring images.
Other highlights include:
- The striking Pavilion entrance at 1600 M St NW
- The Archives exhibition celebrating the Society’s legacy of storytelling
- The inspirational Rolex Explorers Landing which highlights the journey from an Explorer’s first spark of curiosity to their lasting impact
- The Explorers Eatery, an international food hall featuring authentic dishes that deliver a globally inspired dining experience and the Ballard Bar, named after Explorer at Large Bob Ballard
- The inaugural exhibition in its Exhibition Gallery, “Photo Ark: Animals of Earth,” featuring striking portraits taken by photographer Joel Sartore that invite viewers to connect with each animal and inspire them to take action for wildlife
- And even more to be announced in the coming months!”
From an earlier press release:
“The National Geographic Society announced the debut of The Archives exhibition at the Museum of Exploration (MOE), opening this summer. Revealing the unmatched legacy behind the iconic yellow border, the exhibition offers an unprecedented look at the Society’s history, highlighting bold storytellers who ventured into the unknown and shared their transformative stories with the world.
Funded by a major grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., The Archives invites visitors on a journey through over a century of breakthroughs and the iconic global expeditions, digital innovations and visual storytelling synonymous with National Geographic. Beyond exploring the Society’s history, they’ll witness the tools of change firsthand, seeing how a single photograph, a hand-drawn map or a filmmaker’s footage serves as a catalyst for global inspiration. The exhibition traces the evolution of storytelling, revealing that the relentless spark of human curiosity is the constant force behind every medium. Hands-on experiences immerse guests and invite them to activate that same inquisitive spirit.
The Archives showcases how visionary storytellers and technological innovations have fundamentally advanced the Society’s mission and global impact. The exhibition invites visitors to take on the role of storyteller, offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse of what it takes to develop an impactful story through three signature interactives:
Behind the Story: Get an inside look at how a National Geographic magazine story comes to life, from a field assignment, writing and editing, to laying out the final magazine spread.
The Researcher’s Table: Interact with a digital research station featuring over 300 photos, film clips, artifacts, sound recordings and more, uncovering the stories behind each discovery.
Step Into the Darkroom: Experience the photographic process hands-on, from film selection to final cut, and try your hand at curating images on a touchscreen photo editor.
Additional galleries in The Archives showcase the iconic storytelling that defines National Geographic — where field notes become fine art and raw footage becomes cinematic history:
Maps and Art: Discover the visual beauty of the Society’s artists and cartographers’ work through stunning physical and digital displays. This room features a breathtaking 18-foot-wide projection screen showing a short film on our mapping legacy, and a 38-inch tactile globe designed specifically for low-vision and blind visitors.
Film and Television: Step into an intimate theater to view the Society’s rich history of filmmaking, including behind-the-scenes perspectives on the craft and its crucial role in our storytelling, as seen through the lens of National Geographic filmmakers.
Into the Collection: Register for the MOE’s guided tours to access a special archival display that offers a thematically focused examination of the rare and unique materials the Society collects, stores and preserves for ongoing research and interpretation.
To ensure the highest standards of preservation, the Society partnered with the display case manufacturer Goppion to develop custom, climate-controlled display cases that allow The Archives to showcase sensitive artifacts with clarity and security.”