museum

Weird stuff in jars! Nichole Visits The National Museum of Health and Medicine

By Prince Of Petworth

A couple of weeks ago, PoP asked some of us contributors if one of us could hit up the National Museum of Health and Medicine on the Walter Reed Campus. Even though this is very much west of North Cap, I jumped at the opportunity – not just because I’ve got my days free, but also because I love creepy stuff in jars of formaldehyde. I’ll warn you now: some of the pictures are probably not for the faint of heart. Also, flash photography was prohibited, so the quality of the photos isn’t great.

First things first: Holy crap did I get lost on the campus. I drove in and showed ID and registered and told the guards I was going to the museum and even asked them how to get there (after I’d studied the map online). It took me 15-20 minutes (and asking directions twice more) to finally find it. Parking was convenient, but if you’re nearby, I’m guessing it’s much easier to get to on foot.

Once inside, I knew my feeling had been correct. There were all kinds of things in jars and Civil War era surgical kits, and skulls and femurs (some damaged by cannonball fire) and I realized that there would be no way to subdue my giddiness.

I decided to hit what I figured were going to be the more boring parts first: namely, the exhibit chronicling the history of the microscope. I have no pictures of this b/c the ones I took of Hooke’s microscope ended up really blurry, and frankly I was in a hurry to get to the good stuff.

Then I checked out the temporary exhibit on forensics, which was better namely because of the skulls. I definitely do not want to go head to head (so to speak) with a ball peen hammer anytime soon.

     

Story and lots more photos continues after the jump. Warning not for the feint of heart! (more…)

Sculpture of the Day/Woah, It’s a Museum

By Prince Of Petworth

Well this was a cool find. Located at 2112 R Street, NW is Fondo del Sol Visual Arts Center. Sadly it was closed when I stopped by but I was able to pick up a brochure that says:

“Fondo del Sol Visual Arts Center is a non-profit, bilingual, community-based museum composed of artists, filmmakers, educators, and community organizers, who share a common dedication to the art and cultural heritage of the people of the Americas and the American Diaspora. Fondo del Sol maintains 7 galleries and workshops, and a significant collection of pre-Colombian, santero and 20th century Latino & Caribbean art, as well as selected Afro-American works. In addition the museum holds a major film and library archive.”

Sounds awesome. Has anyone checked it out before?

Hours are Wednesday – Saturday 1-5:30pm.

I also found a super cool house/gallery a couple doors down. Check it out after the jump. (more…)

Sneak Peek at The Smithsonian’s “Sant Ocean Hall Exhibit”

By Prince Of Petworth

I was lucky enough to get invited to a preview of the National Museum of Natural History’s newest exhibit on the ocean. Now, as some may know, I’m a huge tropical fish enthusiast so I was quite excited to check it out. The press material says:

“Taking over 5 years to develop, Sant Ocean Hall was created in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to show the ocean’s history and its importance in contemporary society. It is the only exhibition in the country devoted exclusively to a global view of the ocean.”

They have a terrific Web site that will give you a taste. The exhibit located at 10th and Constitution, NW opens to the public Saturday.

The space it self was completely renovated and filled with top of the line technology and exhibits. Pictured above you can see a replica of a north atlantic right whale named Phoenix. We were told there are only 400 living right whales today and the replica is of a living whale that was spotted only a few weeks ago. There were dozens of other exhibits and audio visual aids. The exhibits are divided into 12 distinct sections covering 23,000 square feet. One pretty cool feature was of a 24 foot giant squid preserved in a 1,800 gallon tank. There was also a cool 3-D “science on a sphere” globe that shows four narrated programs.

What I enjoyed most though was the 1,500 gallon Indo-Pacific coral reef aquarium.

If you want to learn everything there is to know about the Ocean then this is the exhibit for you. But just remember it’s not an aquarium. If you go in thinking you’ll find lots of fish you will be disappointed. I imagine this will be a great spot for thousands of 7th grade biology field trips. Lots of photos after the jump. (more…)

African American Civil War Memorial and Museum

By Prince Of Petworth

The Memorial

This is a spot that I’ve been meaning to check out for quite a while now and I’m glad that I did. The memorial is called the Spirit of Freedom and is surrounded by a Wall of Honor which list the names of 209,145 troops who served in the “United States Colored Troops” during the Civil War. You can find the memorial right outside the U St. metro stop at 10th and U St. (more…)