museum

National Portrait Gallery and American Art Museum Courtyard Rocks

By Prince Of Petworth

I think I’ve mentioned that the National Portrait Gallery (also housing the Smithsonian American Art Museum) is one of my favorite places in DC (located at 8th and F Streets, NW). I’m embarrassed to admit that I’d never actually checked out the awesome courtyard before. I don’t know how I’ve managed to walk around it every time… Anyway, it’s freaking awesome. Their Web site says:

“The enclosed courtyard with its elegant glass canopy designed by world–renowned architects Foster + Partners provides a distinctive, contemporary accent to the museums’ Greek Revival building. Foster + Partners was assisted by internationally acclaimed landscape designer Kathryn Gustafson of Seattle–based Gustafson Guthrie Nichol Ltd. in the creation of the courtyard’s interior design, with a variety of trees and plantings, as well as a unique water feature.”

You can read more about it here (though at present there was no water feature). More photos after the jump. (more…)

Ojo Latino – National Gallery of Art

By Prince Of Petworth

Ojo Latino is a series by Néstor Sánchez Cordero. Nestor writes, “I went to the National Gallery of Art Sunday and saw this great exhibit called “Multiverse” by Leo Villareal and it blew my mind…I felt like I was on Battlestar Galactica or close to Heaven.”

National Museum of Crime & Punishment to Host Haunted House Oct. 21 – 24 and 28-31

By Prince Of Petworth

On Monday evening I was able to get a sneak preview of the National Museum of Crime & Punishment’s Haunted House tour. The museum is located at 575 7th St, NW in Penn Quarter.

The museum says:

“From 1916-1960 125 men were executed in the Tennessee Electric Chair. In 2008, the chair made its way to the National Museum of Crime & Punishment…and so did its ghosts.”

I have to say, while I wasn’t terrified it was lots of fun. Guests must be over 17 years old and tickets cost $20. To get tickets you can purchase them at the front desk of the museum or go buy them online.

A few more photos after the jump though it is much scarier in the dark… (more…)

Any Fans of the Postal Museum?

By Prince Of Petworth

I’ve always thought of this beautiful building next to Union Station as the one that houses Capitol City Brewing Company. Intangible Arts explained to me that it’s actually the National Postal Museum. Is it worth checking out?

For Those That Love Their Children Books

By Prince Of Petworth

The Stanford in Washington Art Gallery, located at 2655 Connecticut Avenue, NW; is showing an exhibit on the drawings of Eric Carle. When I showed this tattoo from the children’s book, Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, folks were remembering a few of their favorite children books. Eric Carle is behind the classic the Very Hungry Caterpillar. It’s free – Hours: 9:00

Awesome Photography Exhibit at National Geographic

By Prince Of Petworth

Back in October ’08 I suggested you check out a photography exhibit at National Geographic. I’m sure there have been lots of great exhibits in the interim but I just checked out the Kodachrome “American Tourist in Europe” photography exhibit. And it was equally awesome. Lots of great shots from the 50s and 60s. Well worth checking out! The National Geographic Society is located at 1600 M Street, NW (but you sorta have to walk through a courtyard to get to the exhibit).

There were also some new sculptures that I hadn’t seen before.

More photos after the jump. (more…)

Judging Buildings and Museums

By Prince Of Petworth

I’m really enjoying the look of modern buildings (additions) nestled between older buildings. This one is located at 675 E Street, NW. Do you dig the look?

And nearby is the Marian Koshland Science Museum of the National Academies located at 500 5th St, NW. I’d never heard of this one before. But it looks pretty cool. You can see their current exhibits here. Anyone ever check it out?

Judging Museums – Woodrow Wilson House

By Prince Of Petworth

The Woodrow Wilson House is located at 2340 S Street, NW. I happened to stumble upon it during last weekend’s Dupont/Kalorama museum walk. Yeah, I should’ve posted about the museum walk last weekend but I didn’t know about it, I just randomly ran into it! It was pretty sweet though, did anyone else check it out? In front of the Wilson House there was even free coffee.

So about the Wilson House, their Web site says:

“The Woodrow Wilson House is a national historic landmark and house museum that focuses on President Woodrow Wilson’s “Washington Years (1912-1924)”. The museum promotes a greater awareness of Wilson’s public life and ideals for future generations through guided tours, exhibitions and educational programs. The museum also serves as a community preservation model and resource, dedicated to the stewardship and presentation of an authentic collection and property.”

It also bills itself as “Washington’s only Presidential Museum”. That’s pretty interesting in and of itself. So any fans of this spot? Is it a must visit?

Hours :
10 am – 4 pm, Tuesday – Sunday.
Closed Mondays, and Major Holidays.
Group tours by reservation with at least 3 day’s notice.

Admission:
$7.50 Adults; $6.50 Seniors; $3.00 Students
Under age 7 free

 

Judging Buildings – American University’s Katzen Arts Center

By Prince Of Petworth

This building (4400 Masschusetts Ave, NW) knocked my socks off. I liked it so much when I was in the area last week that I walked all the way back there from Petworth. It was well worth the effort. Sadly, my camera couldn’t get the whole building in one shot so I had to take a few which doesn’t do it perfect justice but you can a feel for it.

Below is the back of the section shown above:

The middle:

The back:

What do you think of the style? Anyone check out the art?

After the jump I also ran into hundreds of folks walking (I think) to combat breast cancer. (more…)

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