Spark!Lab
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Spark!Lab is where museum visitors become inventors. The Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation invites children between the ages of 6 and 12 to create, collaborate, explore, test, experiment and invent. Activities for children and families incorporate traditional science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) with art, history and creativity.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Spark!Lab, First Floor, West Wing. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Places of Invention, Inventive Minds, Landmark Object: Ralph Baer's Workshop, Inventing in America.
Friday, June 12, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
For more info visit invention.si.edu. Wonderplace
Ongoing Tours & Activities
This learning space designed especially for children ages six and under combines age appropriate activities with museum collections and touchable objects to provide a gateway to history and a place to exercise curiosity for the youngest historians.
Due to inclement weather, Wonderplace will open at 12 noon on Friday, January 19, pending staff availability. We will update this entry if the operating status for Wonderplace changes. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Admission to Wonderplace is on a first come, first-served basis.At busy times, we may use FREE, timed tickets to minimize wait time if needed. Tickets are available for 30-minute visits on a first-come, first-served basis. No tickets are required for the first session from 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. To visit during a later half-hour session, visitors may pick up a ticket at Wonderplace in 1 West. The last entry using timed tickets is at 3:30 p.m.
Hours are subject to change.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wonderplace, 1 West. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, June 12, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Interactive Programs
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Docents offer interactive programming throughout the museum, in the form of Highlights tours of the museum, gallery spotlight talks, and hands-on cart programs.
Tours of the museum’s highlights generally take place daily at 10:15 AM and 1 PM. Additional tours may be offered on the hour between 11 AM and 3 PM as docents are available. Please check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Gallery spotlight talks take place throughout the day. Docents offer a 15-minute overview of an exhibition or briefly discuss a favorite museum object. Look for the "Docent on Duty" signs posted outside the exhibition entrances.
Docents stationed at carts help visitors get their hands on history and learn about the museum's collections. Carts are located throughout the museum, and you can check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Year-Round:
Available most days between 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
Notes:
Programs are subject to docent availability; last-minute cancellations may occur.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Multiple floors. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, June 12, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
SHOUT
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join our ensemble of performers as they sing, dance, and teach through storytelling. Learn about the ring shout—a powerful practice blending song and rhythmic movement created by enslaved communities in the 1700s and 1800s. They combined various religious practices of Europe and Africa, creating a cultural tradition that became iconically American. Connect their syncopated musical rhythms from the past to the present and learn how music can be a form of joyful resistance in times of oppression.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Friday, June 12, 2026, 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, June 12, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
SHOUT
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join our ensemble of performers as they sing, dance, and teach through storytelling. Learn about the ring shout—a powerful practice blending song and rhythmic movement created by enslaved communities in the 1700s and 1800s. They combined various religious practices of Europe and Africa, creating a cultural tradition that became iconically American. Connect their syncopated musical rhythms from the past to the present and learn how music can be a form of joyful resistance in times of oppression.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Friday, June 12, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, June 12, 2026, 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM.
SHOUT
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join our ensemble of performers as they sing, dance, and teach through storytelling. Learn about the ring shout—a powerful practice blending song and rhythmic movement created by enslaved communities in the 1700s and 1800s. They combined various religious practices of Europe and Africa, creating a cultural tradition that became iconically American. Connect their syncopated musical rhythms from the past to the present and learn how music can be a form of joyful resistance in times of oppression.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Friday, June 12, 2026, 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, June 12, 2026, 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM.
Spark!Lab
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Spark!Lab is where museum visitors become inventors. The Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation invites children between the ages of 6 and 12 to create, collaborate, explore, test, experiment and invent. Activities for children and families incorporate traditional science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) with art, history and creativity.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Spark!Lab, First Floor, West Wing. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Places of Invention, Inventive Minds, Landmark Object: Ralph Baer's Workshop, Inventing in America.
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
For more info visit invention.si.edu. Wonderplace
Ongoing Tours & Activities
This learning space designed especially for children ages six and under combines age appropriate activities with museum collections and touchable objects to provide a gateway to history and a place to exercise curiosity for the youngest historians.
Admission to Wonderplace is on a first come, first-served basis. At busy times, we may use FREE, timed tickets to minimize wait time if needed. Tickets are available for 30-minute visits on a first-come, first-served basis. No tickets are required for the first session from 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. To visit during a later half-hour session, visitors may pick up a ticket at Wonderplace in 1 West. The last entry using timed tickets is at 3:30 p.m.
Hours are subject to change.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wonderplace, 1 West. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Interactive Programs
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Docents offer interactive programming throughout the museum, in the form of Highlights tours of the museum, gallery spotlight talks, and hands-on cart programs.
Tours of the museum’s highlights generally take place daily at 10:15 AM and 1 PM. Additional tours may be offered on the hour between 11 AM and 3 PM as docents are available. Please check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Gallery spotlight talks take place throughout the day. Docents offer a 15-minute overview of an exhibition or briefly discuss a favorite museum object. Look for the "Docent on Duty" signs posted outside the exhibition entrances.
Docents stationed at carts help visitors get their hands on history and learn about the museum's collections. Carts are located throughout the museum, and you can check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Year-Round:
Available most days between 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
Notes:
Programs are subject to docent availability; last-minute cancellations may occur.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Multiple floors. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM.
Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet Mary Pickersgill, seamstress of the enormous garrison flag that inspired the lyrics to America’s national anthem and later became known as the Star-Spangled Banner. What was it like to live in a nation defending its sovereignty? Learn about the War of 1812, considered America’s Second War of Independence, and about ways that widows like Mary expressed patriotism and resourcefulness through acquired skills and family connections.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Flag Hall, 2 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: The Star-Spangled Banner. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
Music from the Hearts of America - Brian Gaffney with Brendan’s Voyage
One-Time Events
The music of Brendan’s Voyage is rooted in the “people’s history”—songs born in cottages, carried across the Atlantic, and kept alive in the social halls and pubs of American cities. Brian Gaffney uses storytelling to bridge the gap between ancient melodies and the modern Irish American experience. Come hear songs that tell the story of Irish history, exploring the immigrant journey, the hardship and resilience that came with fighting the Great Famine and the struggle for independence. Songs may include: “Rosie’s,” “Girl in My Dreams,” and “Song from Home.”.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.
Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet Mary Pickersgill, seamstress of the enormous garrison flag that inspired the lyrics to America’s national anthem and later became known as the Star-Spangled Banner. What was it like to live in a nation defending its sovereignty? Learn about the War of 1812, considered America’s Second War of Independence, and about ways that widows like Mary expressed patriotism and resourcefulness through acquired skills and family connections.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Flag Hall, 2 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: The Star-Spangled Banner. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM.
Music from the Hearts of America - Brian Gaffney with Brendan’s Voyage
One-Time Events
The music of Brendan’s Voyage is rooted in the “people’s history”—songs born in cottages, carried across the Atlantic, and kept alive in the social halls and pubs of American cities. Brian Gaffney uses storytelling to bridge the gap between ancient melodies and the modern Irish American experience. Come hear songs that tell the story of Irish history, exploring the immigrant journey, the hardship and resilience that came with fighting the Great Famine and the struggle for independence. Songs may include: “Rosie’s,” “Girl in My Dreams,” and “Song from Home.”.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet Mary Pickersgill, seamstress of the enormous garrison flag that inspired the lyrics to America’s national anthem and later became known as the Star-Spangled Banner. What was it like to live in a nation defending its sovereignty? Learn about the War of 1812, considered America’s Second War of Independence, and about ways that widows like Mary expressed patriotism and resourcefulness through acquired skills and family connections.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Flag Hall, 2 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: The Star-Spangled Banner. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM.
Spark!Lab
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Spark!Lab is where museum visitors become inventors. The Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation invites children between the ages of 6 and 12 to create, collaborate, explore, test, experiment and invent. Activities for children and families incorporate traditional science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) with art, history and creativity.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Spark!Lab, First Floor, West Wing. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Places of Invention, Inventive Minds, Landmark Object: Ralph Baer's Workshop, Inventing in America.
Sunday, June 14, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
For more info visit invention.si.edu. Wonderplace
Ongoing Tours & Activities
This learning space designed especially for children ages six and under combines age appropriate activities with museum collections and touchable objects to provide a gateway to history and a place to exercise curiosity for the youngest historians.
Admission to Wonderplace is on a first come, first-served basis. At busy times, we may use FREE, timed tickets to minimize wait time if needed. Tickets are available for 30-minute visits on a first-come, first-served basis. No tickets are required for the first session from 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. To visit during a later half-hour session, visitors may pick up a ticket at Wonderplace in 1 West. The last entry using timed tickets is at 3:30 p.m.
Hours are subject to change.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wonderplace, 1 West. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Sunday, June 14, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Interactive Programs
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Docents offer interactive programming throughout the museum, in the form of Highlights tours of the museum, gallery spotlight talks, and hands-on cart programs.
Tours of the museum’s highlights generally take place daily at 10:15 AM and 1 PM. Additional tours may be offered on the hour between 11 AM and 3 PM as docents are available. Please check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Gallery spotlight talks take place throughout the day. Docents offer a 15-minute overview of an exhibition or briefly discuss a favorite museum object. Look for the "Docent on Duty" signs posted outside the exhibition entrances.
Docents stationed at carts help visitors get their hands on history and learn about the museum's collections. Carts are located throughout the museum, and you can check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Year-Round:
Available most days between 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
Notes:
Programs are subject to docent availability; last-minute cancellations may occur.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Multiple floors. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Sunday, June 14, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
SHOUT
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join our ensemble of performers as they sing, dance, and teach through storytelling. Learn about the ring shout—a powerful practice blending song and rhythmic movement created by enslaved communities in the 1700s and 1800s. They combined various religious practices of Europe and Africa, creating a cultural tradition that became iconically American. Connect their syncopated musical rhythms from the past to the present and learn how music can be a form of joyful resistance in times of oppression.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Sunday, June 14, 2026, 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM.
SHOUT
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join our ensemble of performers as they sing, dance, and teach through storytelling. Learn about the ring shout—a powerful practice blending song and rhythmic movement created by enslaved communities in the 1700s and 1800s. They combined various religious practices of Europe and Africa, creating a cultural tradition that became iconically American. Connect their syncopated musical rhythms from the past to the present and learn how music can be a form of joyful resistance in times of oppression.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Sunday, June 14, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.
SHOUT
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join our ensemble of performers as they sing, dance, and teach through storytelling. Learn about the ring shout—a powerful practice blending song and rhythmic movement created by enslaved communities in the 1700s and 1800s. They combined various religious practices of Europe and Africa, creating a cultural tradition that became iconically American. Connect their syncopated musical rhythms from the past to the present and learn how music can be a form of joyful resistance in times of oppression.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Sunday, June 14, 2026, 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM.
Interactive Programs
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Docents offer interactive programming throughout the museum, in the form of Highlights tours of the museum, gallery spotlight talks, and hands-on cart programs.
Tours of the museum’s highlights generally take place daily at 10:15 AM and 1 PM. Additional tours may be offered on the hour between 11 AM and 3 PM as docents are available. Please check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Gallery spotlight talks take place throughout the day. Docents offer a 15-minute overview of an exhibition or briefly discuss a favorite museum object. Look for the "Docent on Duty" signs posted outside the exhibition entrances.
Docents stationed at carts help visitors get their hands on history and learn about the museum's collections. Carts are located throughout the museum, and you can check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Year-Round:
Available most days between 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
Notes:
Programs are subject to docent availability; last-minute cancellations may occur.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Multiple floors. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, June 15, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet Mary Pickersgill, seamstress of the enormous garrison flag that inspired the lyrics to America’s national anthem and later became known as the Star-Spangled Banner. What was it like to live in a nation defending its sovereignty? Learn about the War of 1812, considered America’s Second War of Independence, and about ways that widows like Mary expressed patriotism and resourcefulness through acquired skills and family connections.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Flag Hall, 2 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: The Star-Spangled Banner. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, June 15, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, June 15, 2026, 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, June 15, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.
Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet Mary Pickersgill, seamstress of the enormous garrison flag that inspired the lyrics to America’s national anthem and later became known as the Star-Spangled Banner. What was it like to live in a nation defending its sovereignty? Learn about the War of 1812, considered America’s Second War of Independence, and about ways that widows like Mary expressed patriotism and resourcefulness through acquired skills and family connections.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Flag Hall, 2 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: The Star-Spangled Banner. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, June 15, 2026, 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, June 15, 2026, 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM.
Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet Mary Pickersgill, seamstress of the enormous garrison flag that inspired the lyrics to America’s national anthem and later became known as the Star-Spangled Banner. What was it like to live in a nation defending its sovereignty? Learn about the War of 1812, considered America’s Second War of Independence, and about ways that widows like Mary expressed patriotism and resourcefulness through acquired skills and family connections.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Flag Hall, 2 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: The Star-Spangled Banner. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, June 15, 2026, 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM.
Interactive Programs
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Docents offer interactive programming throughout the museum, in the form of Highlights tours of the museum, gallery spotlight talks, and hands-on cart programs.
Tours of the museum’s highlights generally take place daily at 10:15 AM and 1 PM. Additional tours may be offered on the hour between 11 AM and 3 PM as docents are available. Please check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Gallery spotlight talks take place throughout the day. Docents offer a 15-minute overview of an exhibition or briefly discuss a favorite museum object. Look for the "Docent on Duty" signs posted outside the exhibition entrances.
Docents stationed at carts help visitors get their hands on history and learn about the museum's collections. Carts are located throughout the museum, and you can check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Year-Round:
Available most days between 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
Notes:
Programs are subject to docent availability; last-minute cancellations may occur.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Multiple floors. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, June 16, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
Guided Tour: ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa
One-Time Events
Step into the rhythm of salsa on a guided tour of the Smithsonian exhibition ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa
Experience the rhythm, history, and energy of salsa music through a guided tour of "¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa," a bilingual multimedia exhibition presented by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino and on view in the Molina Family Latino Gallery at the National Museum of American History.
This vibrant exhibition traces salsa’s journey from its Afro-Cuban roots to its rise as a defining sound in American music. Featuring nearly 300 artifacts—including instruments, performance attire, album covers, and rare memorabilia—the exhibition highlights legendary artists like Celia Cruz and Tito Puente alongside the musicians, dancers, and communities who shaped this global tradition.
During this 45-minute guided tour, visitors will explore the music, stories, and cultural movements that brought salsa from Caribbean rhythms to dance floors across the United States.…
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Molina Family Latino Gallery Entrance, 1st Floor East. Cost: Free; Registration Required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/guided-tour-puro-ritmo-the-musical-journey-of-salsa-tickets-1984186244470?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa.
Tuesday, June 16, 2026, 10:30 AM – 11:15 AM.
For more info visit latino.si.edu. Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet Mary Pickersgill, seamstress of the enormous garrison flag that inspired the lyrics to America’s national anthem and later became known as the Star-Spangled Banner. What was it like to live in a nation defending its sovereignty? Learn about the War of 1812, considered America’s Second War of Independence, and about ways that widows like Mary expressed patriotism and resourcefulness through acquired skills and family connections.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Flag Hall, 2 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: The Star-Spangled Banner. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, June 16, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, June 16, 2026, 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, June 16, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.
Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet Mary Pickersgill, seamstress of the enormous garrison flag that inspired the lyrics to America’s national anthem and later became known as the Star-Spangled Banner. What was it like to live in a nation defending its sovereignty? Learn about the War of 1812, considered America’s Second War of Independence, and about ways that widows like Mary expressed patriotism and resourcefulness through acquired skills and family connections.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Flag Hall, 2 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: The Star-Spangled Banner. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, June 16, 2026, 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, June 16, 2026, 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM.
Meet the Expert: Julia Child's Kitchen
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Stop by this informal session to meet a curator and learn more about Julia Child's kitchen.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 East. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: FOOD: Transforming the American Table. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, June 16, 2026, 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM.
Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet Mary Pickersgill, seamstress of the enormous garrison flag that inspired the lyrics to America’s national anthem and later became known as the Star-Spangled Banner. What was it like to live in a nation defending its sovereignty? Learn about the War of 1812, considered America’s Second War of Independence, and about ways that widows like Mary expressed patriotism and resourcefulness through acquired skills and family connections.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Flag Hall, 2 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: The Star-Spangled Banner. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, June 16, 2026, 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM.
National History Day Exhibit Showcase
One-Time Events
Open spaces on all three floors will be taken over by 50 table-top displays created by middle and high school students competing in the 2026 National History Day national contest. Their exhibits represent topics relevant to their state and local communities and reflect the 2026 theme of “Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History.” Join us to view their exhibits and interact with students. This showcase is free and open to the public.
The National Museum of American History welcomes visitors of all ages and abilities. This event is wheelchair accessible. Additional accommodations are available upon request; please email nmahprograms@si.edu. Two weeks’ notice is preferred.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 East, 2 East, 2 West, 3 East. Cost: Free. Categories: Celebrations. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, June 17, 2026, 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM.
Spark!Lab
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Spark!Lab is where museum visitors become inventors. The Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation invites children between the ages of 6 and 12 to create, collaborate, explore, test, experiment and invent. Activities for children and families incorporate traditional science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) with art, history and creativity.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Spark!Lab, First Floor, West Wing. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Places of Invention, Inventive Minds, Landmark Object: Ralph Baer's Workshop, Inventing in America.
Wednesday, June 17, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
For more info visit invention.si.edu. Wonderplace
Ongoing Tours & Activities
This learning space designed especially for children ages six and under combines age appropriate activities with museum collections and touchable objects to provide a gateway to history and a place to exercise curiosity for the youngest historians.
Admission to Wonderplace is on a first come, first-served basis. At busy times, we may use FREE, timed tickets to minimize wait time if needed. Tickets are available for 30-minute visits on a first-come, first-served basis. No tickets are required for the first session from 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. To visit during a later half-hour session, visitors may pick up a ticket at Wonderplace in 1 West. The last entry using timed tickets is at 3:30 p.m.
Hours are subject to change.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wonderplace, 1 West. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, June 17, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Interactive Programs
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Docents offer interactive programming throughout the museum, in the form of Highlights tours of the museum, gallery spotlight talks, and hands-on cart programs.
Tours of the museum’s highlights generally take place daily at 10:15 AM and 1 PM. Additional tours may be offered on the hour between 11 AM and 3 PM as docents are available. Please check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Gallery spotlight talks take place throughout the day. Docents offer a 15-minute overview of an exhibition or briefly discuss a favorite museum object. Look for the "Docent on Duty" signs posted outside the exhibition entrances.
Docents stationed at carts help visitors get their hands on history and learn about the museum's collections. Carts are located throughout the museum, and you can check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Year-Round:
Available most days between 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
Notes:
Programs are subject to docent availability; last-minute cancellations may occur.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Multiple floors. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, June 17, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
Guided Tour: ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa
One-Time Events
Step into the rhythm of salsa on a guided tour of the Smithsonian exhibition ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa
Experience the rhythm, history, and energy of salsa music through a guided tour of "¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa," a bilingual multimedia exhibition presented by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino and on view in the Molina Family Latino Gallery at the National Museum of American History.
This vibrant exhibition traces salsa’s journey from its Afro-Cuban roots to its rise as a defining sound in American music. Featuring nearly 300 artifacts—including instruments, performance attire, album covers, and rare memorabilia—the exhibition highlights legendary artists like Celia Cruz and Tito Puente alongside the musicians, dancers, and communities who shaped this global tradition.
During this 45-minute guided tour, visitors will explore the music, stories, and cultural movements that brought salsa from Caribbean rhythms to dance floors across the United States.…
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Molina Family Latino Gallery Entrance, 1st Floor East. Cost: Free; Registration Required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/guided-tour-puro-ritmo-the-musical-journey-of-salsa-tickets-1984186244470?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa.
Wednesday, June 17, 2026, 10:30 AM – 11:15 AM.
For more info visit latino.si.edu. SHOUT
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join our ensemble of performers as they sing, dance, and teach through storytelling. Learn about the ring shout—a powerful practice blending song and rhythmic movement created by enslaved communities in the 1700s and 1800s. They combined various religious practices of Europe and Africa, creating a cultural tradition that became iconically American. Connect their syncopated musical rhythms from the past to the present and learn how music can be a form of joyful resistance in times of oppression.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Wednesday, June 17, 2026, 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, June 17, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
National History Day Performance Showcase
One-Time Events
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History will feature select performances starring and created by middle and high school students for the 2026 National History Day national contest. Join us for these performances that will highlight a range of under-told stories in American history that reflect the 2026 theme of “Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History.” This showcase is free and open to the public.
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The National Museum of American History welcomes visitors of all ages and abilities. This event is wheelchair accessible, and ASL services will be provided. Additional accommodations are available upon request; please email nmahprograms@si.edu. Two weeks’ notice is preferred.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Hall of Music. Cost: Free. Categories: Celebrations. Accessibility: ASL-interpreted program. Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, June 17, 2026, 12:00 PM – 5:30 PM.
SHOUT
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join our ensemble of performers as they sing, dance, and teach through storytelling. Learn about the ring shout—a powerful practice blending song and rhythmic movement created by enslaved communities in the 1700s and 1800s. They combined various religious practices of Europe and Africa, creating a cultural tradition that became iconically American. Connect their syncopated musical rhythms from the past to the present and learn how music can be a form of joyful resistance in times of oppression.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Wednesday, June 17, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, June 17, 2026, 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM.
SHOUT
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join our ensemble of performers as they sing, dance, and teach through storytelling. Learn about the ring shout—a powerful practice blending song and rhythmic movement created by enslaved communities in the 1700s and 1800s. They combined various religious practices of Europe and Africa, creating a cultural tradition that became iconically American. Connect their syncopated musical rhythms from the past to the present and learn how music can be a form of joyful resistance in times of oppression.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Wednesday, June 17, 2026, 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, June 17, 2026, 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM.
Spark!Lab
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Spark!Lab is where museum visitors become inventors. The Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation invites children between the ages of 6 and 12 to create, collaborate, explore, test, experiment and invent. Activities for children and families incorporate traditional science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) with art, history and creativity.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Spark!Lab, First Floor, West Wing. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Places of Invention, Inventive Minds, Landmark Object: Ralph Baer's Workshop, Inventing in America.
Thursday, June 18, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
For more info visit invention.si.edu. Wonderplace
Ongoing Tours & Activities
This learning space designed especially for children ages six and under combines age appropriate activities with museum collections and touchable objects to provide a gateway to history and a place to exercise curiosity for the youngest historians.
Admission to Wonderplace is on a first come, first-served basis. At busy times, we may use FREE, timed tickets to minimize wait time if needed. Tickets are available for 30-minute visits on a first-come, first-served basis. No tickets are required for the first session from 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. To visit during a later half-hour session, visitors may pick up a ticket at Wonderplace in 1 West. The last entry using timed tickets is at 3:30 p.m.
Hours are subject to change.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wonderplace, 1 West. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, June 18, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Wonderplace
Ongoing Tours & Activities
This learning space designed especially for children ages six and under combines age appropriate activities with museum collections and touchable objects to provide a gateway to history and a place to exercise curiosity for the youngest historians.
Admission to Wonderplace is on a first come, first-served basis. At busy times, we may use FREE, timed tickets to minimize wait time if needed. Tickets are available for 30-minute visits on a first-come, first-served basis. No tickets are required for the first session from 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. To visit during a later half-hour session, visitors may pick up a ticket at Wonderplace in 1 West. The last entry using timed tickets is at 3:30 p.m.
Hours are subject to change.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wonderplace, 1 West. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, June 18, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Interactive Programs
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Docents offer interactive programming throughout the museum, in the form of Highlights tours of the museum, gallery spotlight talks, and hands-on cart programs.
Tours of the museum’s highlights generally take place daily at 10:15 AM and 1 PM. Additional tours may be offered on the hour between 11 AM and 3 PM as docents are available. Please check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Gallery spotlight talks take place throughout the day. Docents offer a 15-minute overview of an exhibition or briefly discuss a favorite museum object. Look for the "Docent on Duty" signs posted outside the exhibition entrances.
Docents stationed at carts help visitors get their hands on history and learn about the museum's collections. Carts are located throughout the museum, and you can check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Year-Round:
Available most days between 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
Notes:
Programs are subject to docent availability; last-minute cancellations may occur.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Multiple floors. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, June 18, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
Guided Tour: ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa
One-Time Events
Step into the rhythm of salsa on a guided tour of the Smithsonian exhibition ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa
Experience the rhythm, history, and energy of salsa music through a guided tour of "¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa," a bilingual multimedia exhibition presented by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino and on view in the Molina Family Latino Gallery at the National Museum of American History.
This vibrant exhibition traces salsa’s journey from its Afro-Cuban roots to its rise as a defining sound in American music. Featuring nearly 300 artifacts—including instruments, performance attire, album covers, and rare memorabilia—the exhibition highlights legendary artists like Celia Cruz and Tito Puente alongside the musicians, dancers, and communities who shaped this global tradition.
During this 45-minute guided tour, visitors will explore the music, stories, and cultural movements that brought salsa from Caribbean rhythms to dance floors across the United States.…
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Molina Family Latino Gallery Entrance, 1st Floor East. Cost: Free; Registration Required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/guided-tour-puro-ritmo-the-musical-journey-of-salsa-tickets-1984186244470?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa.
Thursday, June 18, 2026, 10:30 AM – 11:15 AM.
For more info visit latino.si.edu. Meet the Expert: Cryptocurrency
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Stop by this informal session to meet curator Ellen Feingold and learn about a famous cryptocurrency heist.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Value of Money, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: In Pursuit of Life, Liberty & Happiness.
Thursday, June 18, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
Spark!Lab
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Spark!Lab is where museum visitors become inventors. The Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation invites children between the ages of 6 and 12 to create, collaborate, explore, test, experiment and invent. Activities for children and families incorporate traditional science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) with art, history and creativity.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Spark!Lab, First Floor, West Wing. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Places of Invention, Inventive Minds, Landmark Object: Ralph Baer's Workshop, Inventing in America.
Friday, June 19, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
For more info visit invention.si.edu. Wonderplace
Ongoing Tours & Activities
This learning space designed especially for children ages six and under combines age appropriate activities with museum collections and touchable objects to provide a gateway to history and a place to exercise curiosity for the youngest historians.
Due to inclement weather, Wonderplace will open at 12 noon on Friday, January 19, pending staff availability. We will update this entry if the operating status for Wonderplace changes. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Admission to Wonderplace is on a first come, first-served basis.At busy times, we may use FREE, timed tickets to minimize wait time if needed. Tickets are available for 30-minute visits on a first-come, first-served basis. No tickets are required for the first session from 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. To visit during a later half-hour session, visitors may pick up a ticket at Wonderplace in 1 West. The last entry using timed tickets is at 3:30 p.m.
Hours are subject to change.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wonderplace, 1 West. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, June 19, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Interactive Programs
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Docents offer interactive programming throughout the museum, in the form of Highlights tours of the museum, gallery spotlight talks, and hands-on cart programs.
Tours of the museum’s highlights generally take place daily at 10:15 AM and 1 PM. Additional tours may be offered on the hour between 11 AM and 3 PM as docents are available. Please check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Gallery spotlight talks take place throughout the day. Docents offer a 15-minute overview of an exhibition or briefly discuss a favorite museum object. Look for the "Docent on Duty" signs posted outside the exhibition entrances.
Docents stationed at carts help visitors get their hands on history and learn about the museum's collections. Carts are located throughout the museum, and you can check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Year-Round:
Available most days between 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
Notes:
Programs are subject to docent availability; last-minute cancellations may occur.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Multiple floors. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, June 19, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
Guided Tour: ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa
One-Time Events
Step into the rhythm of salsa on a guided tour of the Smithsonian exhibition ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa
Experience the rhythm, history, and energy of salsa music through a guided tour of "¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa," a bilingual multimedia exhibition presented by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino and on view in the Molina Family Latino Gallery at the National Museum of American History.
This vibrant exhibition traces salsa’s journey from its Afro-Cuban roots to its rise as a defining sound in American music. Featuring nearly 300 artifacts—including instruments, performance attire, album covers, and rare memorabilia—the exhibition highlights legendary artists like Celia Cruz and Tito Puente alongside the musicians, dancers, and communities who shaped this global tradition.
During this 45-minute guided tour, visitors will explore the music, stories, and cultural movements that brought salsa from Caribbean rhythms to dance floors across the United States.…
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Molina Family Latino Gallery Entrance, 1st Floor East. Cost: Free; Registration Required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/guided-tour-puro-ritmo-the-musical-journey-of-salsa-tickets-1984186244470?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa.
Friday, June 19, 2026, 10:30 AM – 11:15 AM.
For more info visit latino.si.edu. SHOUT
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join our ensemble of performers as they sing, dance, and teach through storytelling. Learn about the ring shout—a powerful practice blending song and rhythmic movement created by enslaved communities in the 1700s and 1800s. They combined various religious practices of Europe and Africa, creating a cultural tradition that became iconically American. Connect their syncopated musical rhythms from the past to the present and learn how music can be a form of joyful resistance in times of oppression.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Friday, June 19, 2026, 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM.
SHOUT
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join our ensemble of performers as they sing, dance, and teach through storytelling. Learn about the ring shout—a powerful practice blending song and rhythmic movement created by enslaved communities in the 1700s and 1800s. They combined various religious practices of Europe and Africa, creating a cultural tradition that became iconically American. Connect their syncopated musical rhythms from the past to the present and learn how music can be a form of joyful resistance in times of oppression.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Friday, June 19, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.
Indepen'Dance
One-Time Events
Join us to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States at Indepen’Dance! With activities for all ages, Indepen’Dance! celebrates the nation’s history and culture through the lens of dance, illuminating the ways dance contributes to individuality, creativity, and our shared identity.
We’ve partnered with local organizations and artists to bring you two days of live music, hands-on activities, film screenings, dance classes, and more. Learn how to “beat ya feet” to a live go-go band with The Go-Go Museum, dance on over to the National Museum of the American Latino's Molina Family Latino Gallery for salsa inspired activities and instruction or learn about a DC style of swing with the National Hand Dance Association.
Hear kid-friendly stories with the DC Public Library, the Scott Silbert Big Band on our Terrace, and DJ sets throughout the museum. See the 1988 cult classic film/musical Hairspray in our Warner Bros. Theater as part of the History Film Forum, join in on live pop-up theater performances…
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Museum-wide. Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/independance-tickets-1990785919275?aff=trumba. Categories: Celebrations. Kids & Families. Films. Performances. Workshops. Related Events: DCPL Storytime, History Film Forum. Accessibility: ASL-interpreted program. Captioning. Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, June 19, 2026, 2:00 PM – Saturday, June 20, 2026, 10:00 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. SHOUT
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join our ensemble of performers as they sing, dance, and teach through storytelling. Learn about the ring shout—a powerful practice blending song and rhythmic movement created by enslaved communities in the 1700s and 1800s. They combined various religious practices of Europe and Africa, creating a cultural tradition that became iconically American. Connect their syncopated musical rhythms from the past to the present and learn how music can be a form of joyful resistance in times of oppression.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Friday, June 19, 2026, 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM.
Indepen'Dance: Beat Ya Feet Dance workshop and go-go performance by Next Gen Krank
One-Time Events
Join us to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States at Indepen’Dance! With activities for all ages, Indepen’Dance! celebrates the nation’s history and culture through the lens of dance, illuminating the ways dance contributes to individuality, creativity, and our shared identity.
Beat Ya Feet Dance workshop and go-go performance by Next Gen Krank, 4:00 p.m. workshop; 5:00–7:00 p.m. performance
Coulter Performance Plaza
We’re partnering with The Go-Go Museum to teach you how to Beat Ya Feet! This high-energy, footwork-driven dance form, developed in Southeast DC in the 1990s by Marvin “Slush” Taylor, is grounded in the rhythm of go-go music and inspired by its energy. Learn some steps and practice your moves with a performance by up-and-coming band Next Gen Krank.
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This activity is part of Indepen’Dance, our commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the United States. With activities for all ages, Indepen’Dance celebrates the nation’s history and culture through the lens…
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Coulter Performance Plaza (1 west). Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/independance-beat-ya-feat-workshop-and-go-go-performance-tickets-1990798051563?aff=trumba. Categories: Celebrations. Kids & Families. Performances. Workshops. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, June 19, 2026, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. Indepen'Dance: Civic Season Lounge
One-Time Events
Join us to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States at Indepen’Dance! With activities for all ages, Indepen’Dance! celebrates the nation’s history and culture through the lens of dance, illuminating the ways dance contributes to individuality, creativity, and our shared identity.
Civic Season Lounge, 5:00–10:00 p.m.
2 East, We’ve collaborated with Made by Us for Civic Season ’26 to create the Civic Season Lounge, featuring a drinks bar, seating, and activities—including Wish Wall writing stations where you can share your wish for the future of the United States. The space invites reflection, conversation, and imagination about the country’s future, encouraging the public to think about the next 10, 50, or 100 years. Can’t make it in person? Share your wish by email: Whatsyourwish?@si.edu.
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This activity is part of Indepen’Dance, our commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the United States. With activities for all ages, Indepen’Dance celebrates the nation’s history…
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Unity Square (2 West). Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/independance-civic-season-lounge-tickets-1990792270271?aff=trumba. Categories: Celebrations. Kids & Families. Performances. Workshops. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, June 19, 2026, 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. Gunboat Philadelphia: Save the Revolution!
One-Time Events
Step back to 1776 in stunning VR! Experience Gunboat Philadelphia: Save the Revolution! where you'll discover how thousands of Patriots worked together to thwart a British invasion.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 3 East. Cost: $10 per person. Categories: Kids & Families. Celebrations. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Sensory Programs.
Friday, June 19, 2026, 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM.
Discoteca del Sol: An Indepen’DANCE Evening Program
One-Time Events
Celebrate the Smithsonian Solstice Celebration after dark with Discoteca del Sol, a special evening program presented by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino at the National Museum of American History.
Part of the National Museum of American History’s Indepen’DANCE! celebration, Discoteca del Sol brings together live music, DJ sets, and outdoor summer energy for an evening inspired by the sounds of salsa dura and 1970s orchestral disco. Featuring DJ Adrian Collazo and Orquesta Manplesa, the program explores how Caribbean rhythms, Latin dance music, and disco converged to define the sound of an era.
Held on the Madison Avenue Terrace, this free evening event invites visitors to dance, listen, gather, and experience the musical connections that continue to shape American culture. Discoteca del Sol also extends the themes of the National Museum of the American Latino’s exhibition ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa, which traces salsa’s roots, rhythms, migrations, and lasting…
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Madison Ave. Terrace. Cost: Free. Categories: After Five. Celebrations. Performances. Related Events: Indepen'DANCE. Related Exhibition: Puro Ritmo: The Musical Journey of Salsa.
Friday, June 19, 2026, 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM.
Spark!Lab
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Spark!Lab is where museum visitors become inventors. The Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation invites children between the ages of 6 and 12 to create, collaborate, explore, test, experiment and invent. Activities for children and families incorporate traditional science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) with art, history and creativity.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Spark!Lab, First Floor, West Wing. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Places of Invention, Inventive Minds, Landmark Object: Ralph Baer's Workshop, Inventing in America.
Saturday, June 20, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
For more info visit invention.si.edu. Wonderplace
Ongoing Tours & Activities
This learning space designed especially for children ages six and under combines age appropriate activities with museum collections and touchable objects to provide a gateway to history and a place to exercise curiosity for the youngest historians.
Admission to Wonderplace is on a first come, first-served basis. At busy times, we may use FREE, timed tickets to minimize wait time if needed. Tickets are available for 30-minute visits on a first-come, first-served basis. No tickets are required for the first session from 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. To visit during a later half-hour session, visitors may pick up a ticket at Wonderplace in 1 West. The last entry using timed tickets is at 3:30 p.m.
Hours are subject to change.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wonderplace, 1 West. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, June 20, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Story Time with DC Public Library and CityDance Studios
One-Time Events
Join us for Story Time in collaboration with the DC Public Library! Children and their grown-ups can enjoy story time as an interactive way to exercise with language and literacy skills. Story Time is designed for learners ages 5 and under, but all are welcome!
This special Storytime is part of Indepen'Dance! - our weekend-long celebration of dance and during our nation’s 250th anniversary. Special guests from CityDance Studios will teach dances and lead creative movement to accompany the stories.
For questions about this event, please email us at: HistoryTeachers@si.edu.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West - Coulter Performance Plaza. Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/story-time-with-dc-public-library-and-citydance-studios-tickets-1990797723582?aff=trumba. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: ASL-interpreted program.
Saturday, June 20, 2026, 10:15 AM – 11:00 AM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. Interactive Programs
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Docents offer interactive programming throughout the museum, in the form of Highlights tours of the museum, gallery spotlight talks, and hands-on cart programs.
Tours of the museum’s highlights generally take place daily at 10:15 AM and 1 PM. Additional tours may be offered on the hour between 11 AM and 3 PM as docents are available. Please check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Gallery spotlight talks take place throughout the day. Docents offer a 15-minute overview of an exhibition or briefly discuss a favorite museum object. Look for the "Docent on Duty" signs posted outside the exhibition entrances.
Docents stationed at carts help visitors get their hands on history and learn about the museum's collections. Carts are located throughout the museum, and you can check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Year-Round:
Available most days between 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
Notes:
Programs are subject to docent availability; last-minute cancellations may occur.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Multiple floors. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, June 20, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
Guided Tour: ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa
One-Time Events
Step into the rhythm of salsa on a guided tour of the Smithsonian exhibition ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa
Experience the rhythm, history, and energy of salsa music through a guided tour of "¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa," a bilingual multimedia exhibition presented by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino and on view in the Molina Family Latino Gallery at the National Museum of American History.
This vibrant exhibition traces salsa’s journey from its Afro-Cuban roots to its rise as a defining sound in American music. Featuring nearly 300 artifacts—including instruments, performance attire, album covers, and rare memorabilia—the exhibition highlights legendary artists like Celia Cruz and Tito Puente alongside the musicians, dancers, and communities who shaped this global tradition.
During this 45-minute guided tour, visitors will explore the music, stories, and cultural movements that brought salsa from Caribbean rhythms to dance floors across the United States.…
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Molina Family Latino Gallery Entrance, 1st Floor East. Cost: Free; Registration Required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/guided-tour-puro-ritmo-the-musical-journey-of-salsa-tickets-1984186244470?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa.
Saturday, June 20, 2026, 10:30 AM – 11:15 AM.
For more info visit latino.si.edu. Story Time with DC Public Library and CityDance Studios
One-Time Events
Join us for Story Time in collaboration with the DC Public Library! Children and their grown-ups can enjoy story time as an interactive way to exercise with language and literacy skills. Story Time is designed for learners ages 5 and under, but all are welcome!
This special Storytime is part of Indepen'Dance! - our weekend-long celebration of dance and during our nation’s 250th anniversary. Special guests from CityDance Studios will teach dances and lead creative movement to accompany the stories.
For questions about this event, please email us at: HistoryTeachers@si.edu.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West - Coulter Performance Plaza. Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/story-time-with-dc-public-library-and-citydance-studios-tickets-1990797824885?aff=trumba. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: ASL-interpreted program.
Saturday, June 20, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. Indepen'Dance: Hand Dance presentation and social dance with the National Hand Dance Association
One-Time Events
Join us to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States at Indepen’Dance! With activities for all ages, Indepen’Dance! celebrates the nation’s history and culture through the lens of dance, illuminating the ways dance contributes to individuality, creativity, and our shared identity.
Hand Dance presentation and social dance with the National Hand Dance Association, 1:00–4:00 p.m.
Coulter Performance Plaza, Experience the rhythm, style, and community spirit of DC’s Hand Dance culture with the National Hand Dance Association. After a screening of Hand Dance: A Capitol Swing, which traces the history and evolution of Hand Dance, and a Q&A session, the National Hand Dance Association will showcase multiple styles of hand dance spanning generations. Join dancers in celebrating the fun freestyle dances of the ’60s like the Twist, the Jerk, and the Cha-Cha and enjoy contemporary interpretations of Hand Dance uniting youth performers with classic dancers in a celebration of Hand Dance passing from…
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Coulter Performance Plaza (1 west). Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/independance-national-hand-dance-association-tickets-1990793758723?aff=trumba. Categories: Celebrations. Kids & Families. Performances. Workshops. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, June 20, 2026, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. History Film Forum: Hairspray (1988)
One-Time Events
The History Film Forum presents Hairspray (1988) as part of Indepen’Dance!
It’s 1962, and TV dance shows are sweeping the nation. Baltimore teen Tracy Turnblad’s (Ricki Lake) dream of becoming a local dance queen kicks off more than a dance battle —-it ignites a fight for racial desegregation within the city itself.
Written and directed by John Waters, Hairspray is a sweetly satirical look back at the conventions, structures, and challenges of the 1960s. While only a moderate success at the box office at the time, the film became a cult classic on VHS. It was adapted into a Tony Award-winning musical in 2002, which itself was adapted into a musical film of the same name in 2007. In 2022 the Library of Congress selected Hairspray (1988) for preservation in the United States National Film Registry as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".
Hairspray is rated PG by the Motion Picture Association.
_________
The National Museum of American History welcomes visitors of all ages and…
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Warner Bros. Theater, 1 Center. Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/history-film-forum-presents-hairspray-1988-tickets-1989693895001?aff=trumba. Categories: Films. Related Events: Indepen'Dance. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Captioning. Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, June 20, 2026, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. Indepen'Dance: Big band/swing dance party with Scott Silbert’s Biggest Big Band
One-Time Events
Join us to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States at Indepen’Dance! With activities for all ages, Indepen’Dance! celebrates the nation’s history and culture through the lens of dance, illuminating the ways dance contributes to individuality, creativity, and our shared identity.
Big band/swing dance party with Scott Silbert’s Biggest Big Band
4:00-6:00 p.m.
Madison Drive Terrace, Enjoy a roaring, energetic, and unforgettable swing dancing experience with Scott Silbert’s Biggest Big Band. The group expands beyond the standard big band by adding a full string section to create a dynamic and lush swing-era sound and resurrects the distinctive styles of legendary bandleaders like Jimmie Lunceford, Chick Webb, Count Basie, Fletcher Henderson, Benny Goodman, and others. Enjoy a roaring, energetic, and unforgettable swing dancing experience.
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This activity is part of Indepen’Dance, our commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the United States. With activities for all ages,…
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Madison Drive Terrace. Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/independance-scott-silberts-biggest-big-tickets-1990793551102?aff=trumba. Categories: Celebrations. Kids & Families. Performances. Workshops. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, June 20, 2026, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. Indepen'Dance: Civic Season Lounge
One-Time Events
Join us to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States at Indepen’Dance! With activities for all ages, Indepen’Dance! celebrates the nation’s history and culture through the lens of dance, illuminating the ways dance contributes to individuality, creativity, and our shared identity.
Civic Season Lounge, 5:00–10:00 p.m.
2 East, We’ve collaborated with Made by Us for Civic Season ’26 to create the Civic Season Lounge, featuring a drinks bar, seating, and activities—including Wish Wall writing stations where you can share your wish for the future of the United States. The space invites reflection, conversation, and imagination about the country’s future, encouraging the public to think about the next 10, 50, or 100 years. Can’t make it in person? Share your wish by email: Whatsyourwish?@si.edu.
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This activity is part of Indepen’Dance, our commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the United States. With activities for all ages, Indepen’Dance celebrates the nation’s history…
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Unity Square (2 West). Cost: Free. Categories: Celebrations. Kids & Families. Performances. Workshops. Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, June 20, 2026, 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. Gunboat Philadelphia: Save the Revolution!
One-Time Events
Step back to 1776 in stunning VR! Experience Gunboat Philadelphia: Save the Revolution! where you'll discover how thousands of Patriots worked together to thwart a British invasion.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 3 East. Cost: $10 per person. Categories: Kids & Families. Celebrations. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Sensory Programs.
Saturday, June 20, 2026, 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM.
Indepen'Dance: Indoor DJ set with Leon City Sounds
One-Time Events
Join us to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States at Indepen’Dance! With activities for all ages, Indepen’Dance! celebrates the nation’s history and culture through the lens of dance, illuminating the ways dance contributes to individuality, creativity, and our shared identity.
Indoor DJ set with Leon City Sounds, 6:00 -9:00 p.m.
1 Center, Go on an immersive musical journey with Leon City Sounds, who bring their signature all-vinyl style with an infectious blend of genres from across Latin America. Leon City Sounds (Claudia and Charles Lawrence) is known for thoughtfully curated sets that celebrate deep musical traditions while keeping dance floors moving. Stop in to listen, dance, or discover new sounds as Leon City Sounds creates a warm, high-energy atmosphere that carries the spirit of celebration throughout the evening.
____________________
This activity is part of Indepen’Dance, our commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the United States. With activities for all ages,…
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 Center. Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/independance-leon-city-sounds-tickets-1990793413691?aff=trumba. Categories: Celebrations. Kids & Families. Performances. Workshops. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, June 20, 2026, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. Indepen'Dance: Outdoor DJ sets with Baronhawk Poitier and Les the DJ
One-Time Events
Join us to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States at Indepen’Dance! With activities for all ages, Indepen’Dance! celebrates the nation’s history and culture through the lens of dance, illuminating the ways dance contributes to individuality, creativity, and our shared identity.
Outdoor DJ sets with Baronhawk Poitier and Les the DJ, 6:00–10:00 p.m.
Madison Drive Terrace, Enjoy an open-air dance party, featuring electrifying sets from DJ Baronhawk Poitier (6:00–8:00 p.m.) and Les the DJ (8:00–10:00 p.m.)
DJ and producer Baronhawk Poitier celebrates the rich musical and dance traditions of the DC area through a dynamic mix of house, techno, disco, and funk, shaped by DC’s underground dance culture and nightlife communities.
Les the DJ (Les Talusan) crafts irresistible sets from a vast and eclectic collection of pop, indie, and underground hits, as well as obscure gems in a freeform blend of soul, funk, boogie, disco, and old school hip-hop.
____________________
This activity is part of…
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Madison Drive Terrace. Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dj-baronhawk-poitier-tickets-1990791484922?aff=trumba. Categories: Celebrations. Kids & Families. Performances. Workshops. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, June 20, 2026, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. Spark!Lab
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Spark!Lab is where museum visitors become inventors. The Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation invites children between the ages of 6 and 12 to create, collaborate, explore, test, experiment and invent. Activities for children and families incorporate traditional science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) with art, history and creativity.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Spark!Lab, First Floor, West Wing. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Places of Invention, Inventive Minds, Landmark Object: Ralph Baer's Workshop, Inventing in America.
Sunday, June 21, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
For more info visit invention.si.edu. Wonderplace
Ongoing Tours & Activities
This learning space designed especially for children ages six and under combines age appropriate activities with museum collections and touchable objects to provide a gateway to history and a place to exercise curiosity for the youngest historians.
Admission to Wonderplace is on a first come, first-served basis. At busy times, we may use FREE, timed tickets to minimize wait time if needed. Tickets are available for 30-minute visits on a first-come, first-served basis. No tickets are required for the first session from 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. To visit during a later half-hour session, visitors may pick up a ticket at Wonderplace in 1 West. The last entry using timed tickets is at 3:30 p.m.
Hours are subject to change.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wonderplace, 1 West. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Sunday, June 21, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Interactive Programs
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Docents offer interactive programming throughout the museum, in the form of Highlights tours of the museum, gallery spotlight talks, and hands-on cart programs.
Tours of the museum’s highlights generally take place daily at 10:15 AM and 1 PM. Additional tours may be offered on the hour between 11 AM and 3 PM as docents are available. Please check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Gallery spotlight talks take place throughout the day. Docents offer a 15-minute overview of an exhibition or briefly discuss a favorite museum object. Look for the "Docent on Duty" signs posted outside the exhibition entrances.
Docents stationed at carts help visitors get their hands on history and learn about the museum's collections. Carts are located throughout the museum, and you can check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Year-Round:
Available most days between 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
Notes:
Programs are subject to docent availability; last-minute cancellations may occur.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Multiple floors. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Sunday, June 21, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
SHOUT
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join our ensemble of performers as they sing, dance, and teach through storytelling. Learn about the ring shout—a powerful practice blending song and rhythmic movement created by enslaved communities in the 1700s and 1800s. They combined various religious practices of Europe and Africa, creating a cultural tradition that became iconically American. Connect their syncopated musical rhythms from the past to the present and learn how music can be a form of joyful resistance in times of oppression.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Sunday, June 21, 2026, 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM.
SHOUT
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join our ensemble of performers as they sing, dance, and teach through storytelling. Learn about the ring shout—a powerful practice blending song and rhythmic movement created by enslaved communities in the 1700s and 1800s. They combined various religious practices of Europe and Africa, creating a cultural tradition that became iconically American. Connect their syncopated musical rhythms from the past to the present and learn how music can be a form of joyful resistance in times of oppression.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Sunday, June 21, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.
SHOUT
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join our ensemble of performers as they sing, dance, and teach through storytelling. Learn about the ring shout—a powerful practice blending song and rhythmic movement created by enslaved communities in the 1700s and 1800s. They combined various religious practices of Europe and Africa, creating a cultural tradition that became iconically American. Connect their syncopated musical rhythms from the past to the present and learn how music can be a form of joyful resistance in times of oppression.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Sunday, June 21, 2026, 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM.
Interactive Programs
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Docents offer interactive programming throughout the museum, in the form of Highlights tours of the museum, gallery spotlight talks, and hands-on cart programs.
Tours of the museum’s highlights generally take place daily at 10:15 AM and 1 PM. Additional tours may be offered on the hour between 11 AM and 3 PM as docents are available. Please check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Gallery spotlight talks take place throughout the day. Docents offer a 15-minute overview of an exhibition or briefly discuss a favorite museum object. Look for the "Docent on Duty" signs posted outside the exhibition entrances.
Docents stationed at carts help visitors get their hands on history and learn about the museum's collections. Carts are located throughout the museum, and you can check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Year-Round:
Available most days between 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
Notes:
Programs are subject to docent availability; last-minute cancellations may occur.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Multiple floors. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, June 22, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet Mary Pickersgill, seamstress of the enormous garrison flag that inspired the lyrics to America’s national anthem and later became known as the Star-Spangled Banner. What was it like to live in a nation defending its sovereignty? Learn about the War of 1812, considered America’s Second War of Independence, and about ways that widows like Mary expressed patriotism and resourcefulness through acquired skills and family connections.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Flag Hall, 2 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: The Star-Spangled Banner. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, June 22, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, June 22, 2026, 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, June 22, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.
Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet Mary Pickersgill, seamstress of the enormous garrison flag that inspired the lyrics to America’s national anthem and later became known as the Star-Spangled Banner. What was it like to live in a nation defending its sovereignty? Learn about the War of 1812, considered America’s Second War of Independence, and about ways that widows like Mary expressed patriotism and resourcefulness through acquired skills and family connections.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Flag Hall, 2 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: The Star-Spangled Banner. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, June 22, 2026, 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, June 22, 2026, 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM.
Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet Mary Pickersgill, seamstress of the enormous garrison flag that inspired the lyrics to America’s national anthem and later became known as the Star-Spangled Banner. What was it like to live in a nation defending its sovereignty? Learn about the War of 1812, considered America’s Second War of Independence, and about ways that widows like Mary expressed patriotism and resourcefulness through acquired skills and family connections.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Flag Hall, 2 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: The Star-Spangled Banner. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, June 22, 2026, 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM.
Interactive Programs
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Docents offer interactive programming throughout the museum, in the form of Highlights tours of the museum, gallery spotlight talks, and hands-on cart programs.
Tours of the museum’s highlights generally take place daily at 10:15 AM and 1 PM. Additional tours may be offered on the hour between 11 AM and 3 PM as docents are available. Please check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Gallery spotlight talks take place throughout the day. Docents offer a 15-minute overview of an exhibition or briefly discuss a favorite museum object. Look for the "Docent on Duty" signs posted outside the exhibition entrances.
Docents stationed at carts help visitors get their hands on history and learn about the museum's collections. Carts are located throughout the museum, and you can check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Year-Round:
Available most days between 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
Notes:
Programs are subject to docent availability; last-minute cancellations may occur.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Multiple floors. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, June 23, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet Mary Pickersgill, seamstress of the enormous garrison flag that inspired the lyrics to America’s national anthem and later became known as the Star-Spangled Banner. What was it like to live in a nation defending its sovereignty? Learn about the War of 1812, considered America’s Second War of Independence, and about ways that widows like Mary expressed patriotism and resourcefulness through acquired skills and family connections.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Flag Hall, 2 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: The Star-Spangled Banner. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, June 23, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, June 23, 2026, 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, June 23, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.
Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet Mary Pickersgill, seamstress of the enormous garrison flag that inspired the lyrics to America’s national anthem and later became known as the Star-Spangled Banner. What was it like to live in a nation defending its sovereignty? Learn about the War of 1812, considered America’s Second War of Independence, and about ways that widows like Mary expressed patriotism and resourcefulness through acquired skills and family connections.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Flag Hall, 2 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: The Star-Spangled Banner. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, June 23, 2026, 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, June 23, 2026, 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM.
Meet the Expert: History of Drag
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Stop by this informal session to meet curator Katherine Ott and learn about the history of drag. Drag is a performance art known for its exuberant performance of gender, and it has a long history—from at least as far back as Ancient Greece, continuing through Elizabethan theater, vaudeville, and World War II, through to the present. While drag is largely associated with the LGBTQ+ community today, it includes practitioners of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours.
Tuesday, June 23, 2026, 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM.
Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet Mary Pickersgill, seamstress of the enormous garrison flag that inspired the lyrics to America’s national anthem and later became known as the Star-Spangled Banner. What was it like to live in a nation defending its sovereignty? Learn about the War of 1812, considered America’s Second War of Independence, and about ways that widows like Mary expressed patriotism and resourcefulness through acquired skills and family connections.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Flag Hall, 2 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: The Star-Spangled Banner. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, June 23, 2026, 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM.
Spark!Lab
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Spark!Lab is where museum visitors become inventors. The Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation invites children between the ages of 6 and 12 to create, collaborate, explore, test, experiment and invent. Activities for children and families incorporate traditional science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) with art, history and creativity.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Spark!Lab, First Floor, West Wing. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Places of Invention, Inventive Minds, Landmark Object: Ralph Baer's Workshop, Inventing in America.
Wednesday, June 24, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
For more info visit invention.si.edu. Wonderplace
Ongoing Tours & Activities
This learning space designed especially for children ages six and under combines age appropriate activities with museum collections and touchable objects to provide a gateway to history and a place to exercise curiosity for the youngest historians.
Admission to Wonderplace is on a first come, first-served basis. At busy times, we may use FREE, timed tickets to minimize wait time if needed. Tickets are available for 30-minute visits on a first-come, first-served basis. No tickets are required for the first session from 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. To visit during a later half-hour session, visitors may pick up a ticket at Wonderplace in 1 West. The last entry using timed tickets is at 3:30 p.m.
Hours are subject to change.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wonderplace, 1 West. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, June 24, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Interactive Programs
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Docents offer interactive programming throughout the museum, in the form of Highlights tours of the museum, gallery spotlight talks, and hands-on cart programs.
Tours of the museum’s highlights generally take place daily at 10:15 AM and 1 PM. Additional tours may be offered on the hour between 11 AM and 3 PM as docents are available. Please check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Gallery spotlight talks take place throughout the day. Docents offer a 15-minute overview of an exhibition or briefly discuss a favorite museum object. Look for the "Docent on Duty" signs posted outside the exhibition entrances.
Docents stationed at carts help visitors get their hands on history and learn about the museum's collections. Carts are located throughout the museum, and you can check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Year-Round:
Available most days between 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
Notes:
Programs are subject to docent availability; last-minute cancellations may occur.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Multiple floors. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, June 24, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, June 24, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, June 24, 2026, 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, June 24, 2026, 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM.
Spark!Lab
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Spark!Lab is where museum visitors become inventors. The Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation invites children between the ages of 6 and 12 to create, collaborate, explore, test, experiment and invent. Activities for children and families incorporate traditional science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) with art, history and creativity.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Spark!Lab, First Floor, West Wing. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Places of Invention, Inventive Minds, Landmark Object: Ralph Baer's Workshop, Inventing in America.
Thursday, June 25, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
For more info visit invention.si.edu. Wonderplace
Ongoing Tours & Activities
This learning space designed especially for children ages six and under combines age appropriate activities with museum collections and touchable objects to provide a gateway to history and a place to exercise curiosity for the youngest historians.
Admission to Wonderplace is on a first come, first-served basis. At busy times, we may use FREE, timed tickets to minimize wait time if needed. Tickets are available for 30-minute visits on a first-come, first-served basis. No tickets are required for the first session from 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. To visit during a later half-hour session, visitors may pick up a ticket at Wonderplace in 1 West. The last entry using timed tickets is at 3:30 p.m.
Hours are subject to change.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wonderplace, 1 West. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, June 25, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Wonderplace
Ongoing Tours & Activities
This learning space designed especially for children ages six and under combines age appropriate activities with museum collections and touchable objects to provide a gateway to history and a place to exercise curiosity for the youngest historians.
Admission to Wonderplace is on a first come, first-served basis. At busy times, we may use FREE, timed tickets to minimize wait time if needed. Tickets are available for 30-minute visits on a first-come, first-served basis. No tickets are required for the first session from 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. To visit during a later half-hour session, visitors may pick up a ticket at Wonderplace in 1 West. The last entry using timed tickets is at 3:30 p.m.
Hours are subject to change.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wonderplace, 1 West. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, June 25, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Interactive Programs
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Docents offer interactive programming throughout the museum, in the form of Highlights tours of the museum, gallery spotlight talks, and hands-on cart programs.
Tours of the museum’s highlights generally take place daily at 10:15 AM and 1 PM. Additional tours may be offered on the hour between 11 AM and 3 PM as docents are available. Please check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Gallery spotlight talks take place throughout the day. Docents offer a 15-minute overview of an exhibition or briefly discuss a favorite museum object. Look for the "Docent on Duty" signs posted outside the exhibition entrances.
Docents stationed at carts help visitors get their hands on history and learn about the museum's collections. Carts are located throughout the museum, and you can check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Year-Round:
Available most days between 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
Notes:
Programs are subject to docent availability; last-minute cancellations may occur.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Multiple floors. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, June 25, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
Music from the Hearts of America - U.S. Army String Quartet
One-Time Events
Chamber music is a core element of the U.S. Army Strings’ mission, providing a backdrop for official Army functions and public performances. Join us for a performance that will include works by Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson, Alice Hong, Caroline Shaw, Charles Ives, as well as a rendition of Sousa’s Stars and Stripes.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Nicholas F. and Eugenia Taubman Hall of Music, 3 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Related Exhibition: 3 East - The Price of Freedom: Americans at War. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, June 25, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM.
Music from the Hearts of America - U.S. Army String Quartet
One-Time Events
Chamber music is a core element of the U.S. Army Strings’ mission, providing a backdrop for official Army functions and public performances. Join us for a performance that will include works by Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson, Alice Hong, Caroline Shaw, Charles Ives, as well as a rendition of Sousa’s Stars and Stripes.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Nicholas F. and Eugenia Taubman Hall of Music, 3 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Related Exhibition: 3 East - The Price of Freedom: Americans at War. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, June 25, 2026, 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM.
Meet the Expert: Firefighters in the 1800s
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Stop by this informal session to meet curator Tim Winkle and learn about firefighters in the 1800s.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: In Pursuit of Life, Liberty & Happiness.
Thursday, June 25, 2026, 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM.
Spark!Lab
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Spark!Lab is where museum visitors become inventors. The Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation invites children between the ages of 6 and 12 to create, collaborate, explore, test, experiment and invent. Activities for children and families incorporate traditional science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) with art, history and creativity.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Spark!Lab, First Floor, West Wing. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Places of Invention, Inventive Minds, Landmark Object: Ralph Baer's Workshop, Inventing in America.
Friday, June 26, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
For more info visit invention.si.edu. Wonderplace
Ongoing Tours & Activities
This learning space designed especially for children ages six and under combines age appropriate activities with museum collections and touchable objects to provide a gateway to history and a place to exercise curiosity for the youngest historians.
Due to inclement weather, Wonderplace will open at 12 noon on Friday, January 19, pending staff availability. We will update this entry if the operating status for Wonderplace changes. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Admission to Wonderplace is on a first come, first-served basis.At busy times, we may use FREE, timed tickets to minimize wait time if needed. Tickets are available for 30-minute visits on a first-come, first-served basis. No tickets are required for the first session from 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. To visit during a later half-hour session, visitors may pick up a ticket at Wonderplace in 1 West. The last entry using timed tickets is at 3:30 p.m.
Hours are subject to change.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wonderplace, 1 West. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, June 26, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Interactive Programs
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Docents offer interactive programming throughout the museum, in the form of Highlights tours of the museum, gallery spotlight talks, and hands-on cart programs.
Tours of the museum’s highlights generally take place daily at 10:15 AM and 1 PM. Additional tours may be offered on the hour between 11 AM and 3 PM as docents are available. Please check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Gallery spotlight talks take place throughout the day. Docents offer a 15-minute overview of an exhibition or briefly discuss a favorite museum object. Look for the "Docent on Duty" signs posted outside the exhibition entrances.
Docents stationed at carts help visitors get their hands on history and learn about the museum's collections. Carts are located throughout the museum, and you can check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Year-Round:
Available most days between 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
Notes:
Programs are subject to docent availability; last-minute cancellations may occur.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Multiple floors. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, June 26, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
SHOUT
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join our ensemble of performers as they sing, dance, and teach through storytelling. Learn about the ring shout—a powerful practice blending song and rhythmic movement created by enslaved communities in the 1700s and 1800s. They combined various religious practices of Europe and Africa, creating a cultural tradition that became iconically American. Connect their syncopated musical rhythms from the past to the present and learn how music can be a form of joyful resistance in times of oppression.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Friday, June 26, 2026, 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM.
SHOUT
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join our ensemble of performers as they sing, dance, and teach through storytelling. Learn about the ring shout—a powerful practice blending song and rhythmic movement created by enslaved communities in the 1700s and 1800s. They combined various religious practices of Europe and Africa, creating a cultural tradition that became iconically American. Connect their syncopated musical rhythms from the past to the present and learn how music can be a form of joyful resistance in times of oppression.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Friday, June 26, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.
SHOUT
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join our ensemble of performers as they sing, dance, and teach through storytelling. Learn about the ring shout—a powerful practice blending song and rhythmic movement created by enslaved communities in the 1700s and 1800s. They combined various religious practices of Europe and Africa, creating a cultural tradition that became iconically American. Connect their syncopated musical rhythms from the past to the present and learn how music can be a form of joyful resistance in times of oppression.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Friday, June 26, 2026, 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM.
Spark!Lab
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Spark!Lab is where museum visitors become inventors. The Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation invites children between the ages of 6 and 12 to create, collaborate, explore, test, experiment and invent. Activities for children and families incorporate traditional science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) with art, history and creativity.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Spark!Lab, First Floor, West Wing. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Places of Invention, Inventive Minds, Landmark Object: Ralph Baer's Workshop, Inventing in America.
Saturday, June 27, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
For more info visit invention.si.edu. Wonderplace
Ongoing Tours & Activities
This learning space designed especially for children ages six and under combines age appropriate activities with museum collections and touchable objects to provide a gateway to history and a place to exercise curiosity for the youngest historians.
Admission to Wonderplace is on a first come, first-served basis. At busy times, we may use FREE, timed tickets to minimize wait time if needed. Tickets are available for 30-minute visits on a first-come, first-served basis. No tickets are required for the first session from 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. To visit during a later half-hour session, visitors may pick up a ticket at Wonderplace in 1 West. The last entry using timed tickets is at 3:30 p.m.
Hours are subject to change.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wonderplace, 1 West. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, June 27, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Interactive Programs
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Docents offer interactive programming throughout the museum, in the form of Highlights tours of the museum, gallery spotlight talks, and hands-on cart programs.
Tours of the museum’s highlights generally take place daily at 10:15 AM and 1 PM. Additional tours may be offered on the hour between 11 AM and 3 PM as docents are available. Please check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Gallery spotlight talks take place throughout the day. Docents offer a 15-minute overview of an exhibition or briefly discuss a favorite museum object. Look for the "Docent on Duty" signs posted outside the exhibition entrances.
Docents stationed at carts help visitors get their hands on history and learn about the museum's collections. Carts are located throughout the museum, and you can check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Year-Round:
Available most days between 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
Notes:
Programs are subject to docent availability; last-minute cancellations may occur.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Multiple floors. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, June 27, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet Mary Pickersgill, seamstress of the enormous garrison flag that inspired the lyrics to America’s national anthem and later became known as the Star-Spangled Banner. What was it like to live in a nation defending its sovereignty? Learn about the War of 1812, considered America’s Second War of Independence, and about ways that widows like Mary expressed patriotism and resourcefulness through acquired skills and family connections.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Flag Hall, 2 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: The Star-Spangled Banner. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, June 27, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
Music from the Hearts of America - David Cole and the Main Street Blues Band
One-Time Events
Join us for a musical program that traces the evolution of the blues from its rural Southern roots to its electric and urban transformation. Guided by guitarist and vocalist David B. Cole, the show will unfold as a living history lesson—told through sound, storytelling, and stylistic shifts.
Country blues will evoke the raw emotional landscapes of early blues traditions. Sparse rhythms, call-and-response phrasings, and heartfelt vocals echo the experiences of rural life. Between songs, artists will offer brief reflections on the origins of the blues, the role of oral tradition, and the music’s connection to everyday struggle and resilience.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, June 27, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM.
Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet Mary Pickersgill, seamstress of the enormous garrison flag that inspired the lyrics to America’s national anthem and later became known as the Star-Spangled Banner. What was it like to live in a nation defending its sovereignty? Learn about the War of 1812, considered America’s Second War of Independence, and about ways that widows like Mary expressed patriotism and resourcefulness through acquired skills and family connections.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Flag Hall, 2 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: The Star-Spangled Banner. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, June 27, 2026, 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM.
Music from the Hearts of America - David Cole and the Main Street Blues Band
One-Time Events
Join us for a musical program that traces the evolution of the blues from its rural Southern roots to its electric and urban transformation. Guided by guitarist and vocalist David B. Cole, the show will unfold as a living history lesson—told through sound, storytelling, and stylistic shifts.
Country blues will evoke the raw emotional landscapes of early blues traditions. Sparse rhythms, call-and-response phrasings, and heartfelt vocals echo the experiences of rural life. Between songs, artists will offer brief reflections on the origins of the blues, the role of oral tradition, and the music’s connection to everyday struggle and resilience.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, June 27, 2026, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet Mary Pickersgill, seamstress of the enormous garrison flag that inspired the lyrics to America’s national anthem and later became known as the Star-Spangled Banner. What was it like to live in a nation defending its sovereignty? Learn about the War of 1812, considered America’s Second War of Independence, and about ways that widows like Mary expressed patriotism and resourcefulness through acquired skills and family connections.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Flag Hall, 2 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: The Star-Spangled Banner. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, June 27, 2026, 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM.
Spark!Lab
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Spark!Lab is where museum visitors become inventors. The Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation invites children between the ages of 6 and 12 to create, collaborate, explore, test, experiment and invent. Activities for children and families incorporate traditional science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) with art, history and creativity.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Spark!Lab, First Floor, West Wing. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Places of Invention, Inventive Minds, Landmark Object: Ralph Baer's Workshop, Inventing in America.
Sunday, June 28, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
For more info visit invention.si.edu. Wonderplace
Ongoing Tours & Activities
This learning space designed especially for children ages six and under combines age appropriate activities with museum collections and touchable objects to provide a gateway to history and a place to exercise curiosity for the youngest historians.
Admission to Wonderplace is on a first come, first-served basis. At busy times, we may use FREE, timed tickets to minimize wait time if needed. Tickets are available for 30-minute visits on a first-come, first-served basis. No tickets are required for the first session from 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. To visit during a later half-hour session, visitors may pick up a ticket at Wonderplace in 1 West. The last entry using timed tickets is at 3:30 p.m.
Hours are subject to change.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wonderplace, 1 West. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Sunday, June 28, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Interactive Programs
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Docents offer interactive programming throughout the museum, in the form of Highlights tours of the museum, gallery spotlight talks, and hands-on cart programs.
Tours of the museum’s highlights generally take place daily at 10:15 AM and 1 PM. Additional tours may be offered on the hour between 11 AM and 3 PM as docents are available. Please check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Gallery spotlight talks take place throughout the day. Docents offer a 15-minute overview of an exhibition or briefly discuss a favorite museum object. Look for the "Docent on Duty" signs posted outside the exhibition entrances.
Docents stationed at carts help visitors get their hands on history and learn about the museum's collections. Carts are located throughout the museum, and you can check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Year-Round:
Available most days between 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
Notes:
Programs are subject to docent availability; last-minute cancellations may occur.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Multiple floors. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Sunday, June 28, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
SHOUT
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join our ensemble of performers as they sing, dance, and teach through storytelling. Learn about the ring shout—a powerful practice blending song and rhythmic movement created by enslaved communities in the 1700s and 1800s. They combined various religious practices of Europe and Africa, creating a cultural tradition that became iconically American. Connect their syncopated musical rhythms from the past to the present and learn how music can be a form of joyful resistance in times of oppression.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Sunday, June 28, 2026, 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM.
SHOUT
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join our ensemble of performers as they sing, dance, and teach through storytelling. Learn about the ring shout—a powerful practice blending song and rhythmic movement created by enslaved communities in the 1700s and 1800s. They combined various religious practices of Europe and Africa, creating a cultural tradition that became iconically American. Connect their syncopated musical rhythms from the past to the present and learn how music can be a form of joyful resistance in times of oppression.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Sunday, June 28, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.
SHOUT
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join our ensemble of performers as they sing, dance, and teach through storytelling. Learn about the ring shout—a powerful practice blending song and rhythmic movement created by enslaved communities in the 1700s and 1800s. They combined various religious practices of Europe and Africa, creating a cultural tradition that became iconically American. Connect their syncopated musical rhythms from the past to the present and learn how music can be a form of joyful resistance in times of oppression.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Sunday, June 28, 2026, 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM.
Interactive Programs
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Docents offer interactive programming throughout the museum, in the form of Highlights tours of the museum, gallery spotlight talks, and hands-on cart programs.
Tours of the museum’s highlights generally take place daily at 10:15 AM and 1 PM. Additional tours may be offered on the hour between 11 AM and 3 PM as docents are available. Please check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Gallery spotlight talks take place throughout the day. Docents offer a 15-minute overview of an exhibition or briefly discuss a favorite museum object. Look for the "Docent on Duty" signs posted outside the exhibition entrances.
Docents stationed at carts help visitors get their hands on history and learn about the museum's collections. Carts are located throughout the museum, and you can check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Year-Round:
Available most days between 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
Notes:
Programs are subject to docent availability; last-minute cancellations may occur.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Multiple floors. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, June 29, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet Mary Pickersgill, seamstress of the enormous garrison flag that inspired the lyrics to America’s national anthem and later became known as the Star-Spangled Banner. What was it like to live in a nation defending its sovereignty? Learn about the War of 1812, considered America’s Second War of Independence, and about ways that widows like Mary expressed patriotism and resourcefulness through acquired skills and family connections.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Flag Hall, 2 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: The Star-Spangled Banner. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, June 29, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, June 29, 2026, 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, June 29, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.
Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet Mary Pickersgill, seamstress of the enormous garrison flag that inspired the lyrics to America’s national anthem and later became known as the Star-Spangled Banner. What was it like to live in a nation defending its sovereignty? Learn about the War of 1812, considered America’s Second War of Independence, and about ways that widows like Mary expressed patriotism and resourcefulness through acquired skills and family connections.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Flag Hall, 2 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: The Star-Spangled Banner. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, June 29, 2026, 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, June 29, 2026, 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM.
Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet Mary Pickersgill, seamstress of the enormous garrison flag that inspired the lyrics to America’s national anthem and later became known as the Star-Spangled Banner. What was it like to live in a nation defending its sovereignty? Learn about the War of 1812, considered America’s Second War of Independence, and about ways that widows like Mary expressed patriotism and resourcefulness through acquired skills and family connections.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Flag Hall, 2 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: The Star-Spangled Banner. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, June 29, 2026, 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM.
Interactive Programs
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Docents offer interactive programming throughout the museum, in the form of Highlights tours of the museum, gallery spotlight talks, and hands-on cart programs.
Tours of the museum’s highlights generally take place daily at 10:15 AM and 1 PM. Additional tours may be offered on the hour between 11 AM and 3 PM as docents are available. Please check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Gallery spotlight talks take place throughout the day. Docents offer a 15-minute overview of an exhibition or briefly discuss a favorite museum object. Look for the "Docent on Duty" signs posted outside the exhibition entrances.
Docents stationed at carts help visitors get their hands on history and learn about the museum's collections. Carts are located throughout the museum, and you can check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Year-Round:
Available most days between 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
Notes:
Programs are subject to docent availability; last-minute cancellations may occur.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Multiple floors. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, June 30, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
Guided Tour: ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa
One-Time Events
Step into the rhythm of salsa on a guided tour of the Smithsonian exhibition ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa
Experience the rhythm, history, and energy of salsa music through a guided tour of "¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa," a bilingual multimedia exhibition presented by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino and on view in the Molina Family Latino Gallery at the National Museum of American History.
This vibrant exhibition traces salsa’s journey from its Afro-Cuban roots to its rise as a defining sound in American music. Featuring nearly 300 artifacts—including instruments, performance attire, album covers, and rare memorabilia—the exhibition highlights legendary artists like Celia Cruz and Tito Puente alongside the musicians, dancers, and communities who shaped this global tradition.
During this 45-minute guided tour, visitors will explore the music, stories, and cultural movements that brought salsa from Caribbean rhythms to dance floors across the United States.…
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Molina Family Latino Gallery Entrance, 1st Floor East. Cost: Free; Registration Required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/guided-tour-puro-ritmo-the-musical-journey-of-salsa-tickets-1984186244470?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa.
Tuesday, June 30, 2026, 10:30 AM – 11:15 AM.
For more info visit latino.si.edu. Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet Mary Pickersgill, seamstress of the enormous garrison flag that inspired the lyrics to America’s national anthem and later became known as the Star-Spangled Banner. What was it like to live in a nation defending its sovereignty? Learn about the War of 1812, considered America’s Second War of Independence, and about ways that widows like Mary expressed patriotism and resourcefulness through acquired skills and family connections.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Flag Hall, 2 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: The Star-Spangled Banner. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, June 30, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, June 30, 2026, 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, June 30, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.
Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet Mary Pickersgill, seamstress of the enormous garrison flag that inspired the lyrics to America’s national anthem and later became known as the Star-Spangled Banner. What was it like to live in a nation defending its sovereignty? Learn about the War of 1812, considered America’s Second War of Independence, and about ways that widows like Mary expressed patriotism and resourcefulness through acquired skills and family connections.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Flag Hall, 2 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: The Star-Spangled Banner. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, June 30, 2026, 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, June 30, 2026, 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM.
Meet the Expert: History of Drag
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Stop by this informal session to meet curator Katherine Ott and learn about the history of drag. Drag is a performance art known for its exuberant performance of gender, and it has a long history—from at least as far back as Ancient Greece, continuing through Elizabethan theater, vaudeville, and World War II, through to the present. While drag is largely associated with the LGBTQ+ community today, it includes practitioners of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours.
Tuesday, June 30, 2026, 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM.
Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet Mary Pickersgill, seamstress of the enormous garrison flag that inspired the lyrics to America’s national anthem and later became known as the Star-Spangled Banner. What was it like to live in a nation defending its sovereignty? Learn about the War of 1812, considered America’s Second War of Independence, and about ways that widows like Mary expressed patriotism and resourcefulness through acquired skills and family connections.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Flag Hall, 2 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: The Star-Spangled Banner. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, June 30, 2026, 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM.
Spark!Lab
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Spark!Lab is where museum visitors become inventors. The Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation invites children between the ages of 6 and 12 to create, collaborate, explore, test, experiment and invent. Activities for children and families incorporate traditional science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) with art, history and creativity.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Spark!Lab, First Floor, West Wing. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Places of Invention, Inventive Minds, Landmark Object: Ralph Baer's Workshop, Inventing in America.
Wednesday, July 1, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
For more info visit invention.si.edu. Wonderplace
Ongoing Tours & Activities
This learning space designed especially for children ages six and under combines age appropriate activities with museum collections and touchable objects to provide a gateway to history and a place to exercise curiosity for the youngest historians.
Admission to Wonderplace is on a first come, first-served basis. At busy times, we may use FREE, timed tickets to minimize wait time if needed. Tickets are available for 30-minute visits on a first-come, first-served basis. No tickets are required for the first session from 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. To visit during a later half-hour session, visitors may pick up a ticket at Wonderplace in 1 West. The last entry using timed tickets is at 3:30 p.m.
Hours are subject to change.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wonderplace, 1 West. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, July 1, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Interactive Programs
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Docents offer interactive programming throughout the museum, in the form of Highlights tours of the museum, gallery spotlight talks, and hands-on cart programs.
Tours of the museum’s highlights generally take place daily at 10:15 AM and 1 PM. Additional tours may be offered on the hour between 11 AM and 3 PM as docents are available. Please check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Gallery spotlight talks take place throughout the day. Docents offer a 15-minute overview of an exhibition or briefly discuss a favorite museum object. Look for the "Docent on Duty" signs posted outside the exhibition entrances.
Docents stationed at carts help visitors get their hands on history and learn about the museum's collections. Carts are located throughout the museum, and you can check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Year-Round:
Available most days between 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
Notes:
Programs are subject to docent availability; last-minute cancellations may occur.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Multiple floors. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, July 1, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
SHOUT
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join our ensemble of performers as they sing, dance, and teach through storytelling. Learn about the ring shout—a powerful practice blending song and rhythmic movement created by enslaved communities in the 1700s and 1800s. They combined various religious practices of Europe and Africa, creating a cultural tradition that became iconically American. Connect their syncopated musical rhythms from the past to the present and learn how music can be a form of joyful resistance in times of oppression.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Wednesday, July 1, 2026, 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, July 1, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
SHOUT
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join our ensemble of performers as they sing, dance, and teach through storytelling. Learn about the ring shout—a powerful practice blending song and rhythmic movement created by enslaved communities in the 1700s and 1800s. They combined various religious practices of Europe and Africa, creating a cultural tradition that became iconically American. Connect their syncopated musical rhythms from the past to the present and learn how music can be a form of joyful resistance in times of oppression.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Wednesday, July 1, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, July 1, 2026, 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM.
SHOUT
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join our ensemble of performers as they sing, dance, and teach through storytelling. Learn about the ring shout—a powerful practice blending song and rhythmic movement created by enslaved communities in the 1700s and 1800s. They combined various religious practices of Europe and Africa, creating a cultural tradition that became iconically American. Connect their syncopated musical rhythms from the past to the present and learn how music can be a form of joyful resistance in times of oppression.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Wednesday, July 1, 2026, 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, July 1, 2026, 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM.
Spark!Lab
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Spark!Lab is where museum visitors become inventors. The Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation invites children between the ages of 6 and 12 to create, collaborate, explore, test, experiment and invent. Activities for children and families incorporate traditional science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) with art, history and creativity.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Spark!Lab, First Floor, West Wing. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Places of Invention, Inventive Minds, Landmark Object: Ralph Baer's Workshop, Inventing in America.
Thursday, July 2, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
For more info visit invention.si.edu. Wonderplace
Ongoing Tours & Activities
This learning space designed especially for children ages six and under combines age appropriate activities with museum collections and touchable objects to provide a gateway to history and a place to exercise curiosity for the youngest historians.
Admission to Wonderplace is on a first come, first-served basis. At busy times, we may use FREE, timed tickets to minimize wait time if needed. Tickets are available for 30-minute visits on a first-come, first-served basis. No tickets are required for the first session from 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. To visit during a later half-hour session, visitors may pick up a ticket at Wonderplace in 1 West. The last entry using timed tickets is at 3:30 p.m.
Hours are subject to change.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wonderplace, 1 West. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, July 2, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Wonderplace
Ongoing Tours & Activities
This learning space designed especially for children ages six and under combines age appropriate activities with museum collections and touchable objects to provide a gateway to history and a place to exercise curiosity for the youngest historians.
Admission to Wonderplace is on a first come, first-served basis. At busy times, we may use FREE, timed tickets to minimize wait time if needed. Tickets are available for 30-minute visits on a first-come, first-served basis. No tickets are required for the first session from 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. To visit during a later half-hour session, visitors may pick up a ticket at Wonderplace in 1 West. The last entry using timed tickets is at 3:30 p.m.
Hours are subject to change.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wonderplace, 1 West. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, July 2, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Interactive Programs
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Docents offer interactive programming throughout the museum, in the form of Highlights tours of the museum, gallery spotlight talks, and hands-on cart programs.
Tours of the museum’s highlights generally take place daily at 10:15 AM and 1 PM. Additional tours may be offered on the hour between 11 AM and 3 PM as docents are available. Please check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Gallery spotlight talks take place throughout the day. Docents offer a 15-minute overview of an exhibition or briefly discuss a favorite museum object. Look for the "Docent on Duty" signs posted outside the exhibition entrances.
Docents stationed at carts help visitors get their hands on history and learn about the museum's collections. Carts are located throughout the museum, and you can check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Year-Round:
Available most days between 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
Notes:
Programs are subject to docent availability; last-minute cancellations may occur.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Multiple floors. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, July 2, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
Meet the Expert: Firefighters in the 1800s
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Stop by this informal session to meet curator Tim Winkle and learn about firefighters in the 1800s.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: In Pursuit of Life, Liberty & Happiness.
Thursday, July 2, 2026, 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM.
Spark!Lab
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Spark!Lab is where museum visitors become inventors. The Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation invites children between the ages of 6 and 12 to create, collaborate, explore, test, experiment and invent. Activities for children and families incorporate traditional science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) with art, history and creativity.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Spark!Lab, First Floor, West Wing. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Places of Invention, Inventive Minds, Landmark Object: Ralph Baer's Workshop, Inventing in America.
Friday, July 3, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
For more info visit invention.si.edu. Wonderplace
Ongoing Tours & Activities
This learning space designed especially for children ages six and under combines age appropriate activities with museum collections and touchable objects to provide a gateway to history and a place to exercise curiosity for the youngest historians.
Due to inclement weather, Wonderplace will open at 12 noon on Friday, January 19, pending staff availability. We will update this entry if the operating status for Wonderplace changes. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Admission to Wonderplace is on a first come, first-served basis.At busy times, we may use FREE, timed tickets to minimize wait time if needed. Tickets are available for 30-minute visits on a first-come, first-served basis. No tickets are required for the first session from 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. To visit during a later half-hour session, visitors may pick up a ticket at Wonderplace in 1 West. The last entry using timed tickets is at 3:30 p.m.
Hours are subject to change.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wonderplace, 1 West. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, July 3, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Interactive Programs
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Docents offer interactive programming throughout the museum, in the form of Highlights tours of the museum, gallery spotlight talks, and hands-on cart programs.
Tours of the museum’s highlights generally take place daily at 10:15 AM and 1 PM. Additional tours may be offered on the hour between 11 AM and 3 PM as docents are available. Please check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Gallery spotlight talks take place throughout the day. Docents offer a 15-minute overview of an exhibition or briefly discuss a favorite museum object. Look for the "Docent on Duty" signs posted outside the exhibition entrances.
Docents stationed at carts help visitors get their hands on history and learn about the museum's collections. Carts are located throughout the museum, and you can check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Year-Round:
Available most days between 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
Notes:
Programs are subject to docent availability; last-minute cancellations may occur.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Multiple floors. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, July 3, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
SHOUT
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join our ensemble of performers as they sing, dance, and teach through storytelling. Learn about the ring shout—a powerful practice blending song and rhythmic movement created by enslaved communities in the 1700s and 1800s. They combined various religious practices of Europe and Africa, creating a cultural tradition that became iconically American. Connect their syncopated musical rhythms from the past to the present and learn how music can be a form of joyful resistance in times of oppression.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Friday, July 3, 2026, 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, July 3, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
SHOUT
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join our ensemble of performers as they sing, dance, and teach through storytelling. Learn about the ring shout—a powerful practice blending song and rhythmic movement created by enslaved communities in the 1700s and 1800s. They combined various religious practices of Europe and Africa, creating a cultural tradition that became iconically American. Connect their syncopated musical rhythms from the past to the present and learn how music can be a form of joyful resistance in times of oppression.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Friday, July 3, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, July 3, 2026, 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM.
SHOUT
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join our ensemble of performers as they sing, dance, and teach through storytelling. Learn about the ring shout—a powerful practice blending song and rhythmic movement created by enslaved communities in the 1700s and 1800s. They combined various religious practices of Europe and Africa, creating a cultural tradition that became iconically American. Connect their syncopated musical rhythms from the past to the present and learn how music can be a form of joyful resistance in times of oppression.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Friday, July 3, 2026, 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, July 3, 2026, 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM.
Spark!Lab
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Spark!Lab is where museum visitors become inventors. The Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation invites children between the ages of 6 and 12 to create, collaborate, explore, test, experiment and invent. Activities for children and families incorporate traditional science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) with art, history and creativity.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Spark!Lab, First Floor, West Wing. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Places of Invention, Inventive Minds, Landmark Object: Ralph Baer's Workshop, Inventing in America.
Saturday, July 4, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
For more info visit invention.si.edu. Wonderplace
Ongoing Tours & Activities
This learning space designed especially for children ages six and under combines age appropriate activities with museum collections and touchable objects to provide a gateway to history and a place to exercise curiosity for the youngest historians.
Admission to Wonderplace is on a first come, first-served basis. At busy times, we may use FREE, timed tickets to minimize wait time if needed. Tickets are available for 30-minute visits on a first-come, first-served basis. No tickets are required for the first session from 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. To visit during a later half-hour session, visitors may pick up a ticket at Wonderplace in 1 West. The last entry using timed tickets is at 3:30 p.m.
Hours are subject to change.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wonderplace, 1 West. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, July 4, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Interactive Programs
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Docents offer interactive programming throughout the museum, in the form of Highlights tours of the museum, gallery spotlight talks, and hands-on cart programs.
Tours of the museum’s highlights generally take place daily at 10:15 AM and 1 PM. Additional tours may be offered on the hour between 11 AM and 3 PM as docents are available. Please check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Gallery spotlight talks take place throughout the day. Docents offer a 15-minute overview of an exhibition or briefly discuss a favorite museum object. Look for the "Docent on Duty" signs posted outside the exhibition entrances.
Docents stationed at carts help visitors get their hands on history and learn about the museum's collections. Carts are located throughout the museum, and you can check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Year-Round:
Available most days between 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
Notes:
Programs are subject to docent availability; last-minute cancellations may occur.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Multiple floors. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, July 4, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, July 4, 2026, 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, July 4, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, July 4, 2026, 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM.
Spark!Lab
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Spark!Lab is where museum visitors become inventors. The Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation invites children between the ages of 6 and 12 to create, collaborate, explore, test, experiment and invent. Activities for children and families incorporate traditional science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) with art, history and creativity.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Spark!Lab, First Floor, West Wing. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Places of Invention, Inventive Minds, Landmark Object: Ralph Baer's Workshop, Inventing in America.
Sunday, July 5, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
For more info visit invention.si.edu. Wonderplace
Ongoing Tours & Activities
This learning space designed especially for children ages six and under combines age appropriate activities with museum collections and touchable objects to provide a gateway to history and a place to exercise curiosity for the youngest historians.
Admission to Wonderplace is on a first come, first-served basis. At busy times, we may use FREE, timed tickets to minimize wait time if needed. Tickets are available for 30-minute visits on a first-come, first-served basis. No tickets are required for the first session from 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. To visit during a later half-hour session, visitors may pick up a ticket at Wonderplace in 1 West. The last entry using timed tickets is at 3:30 p.m.
Hours are subject to change.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wonderplace, 1 West. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Sunday, July 5, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Interactive Programs
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Docents offer interactive programming throughout the museum, in the form of Highlights tours of the museum, gallery spotlight talks, and hands-on cart programs.
Tours of the museum’s highlights generally take place daily at 10:15 AM and 1 PM. Additional tours may be offered on the hour between 11 AM and 3 PM as docents are available. Please check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Gallery spotlight talks take place throughout the day. Docents offer a 15-minute overview of an exhibition or briefly discuss a favorite museum object. Look for the "Docent on Duty" signs posted outside the exhibition entrances.
Docents stationed at carts help visitors get their hands on history and learn about the museum's collections. Carts are located throughout the museum, and you can check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Year-Round:
Available most days between 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
Notes:
Programs are subject to docent availability; last-minute cancellations may occur.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Multiple floors. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Sunday, July 5, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
SHOUT
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join our ensemble of performers as they sing, dance, and teach through storytelling. Learn about the ring shout—a powerful practice blending song and rhythmic movement created by enslaved communities in the 1700s and 1800s. They combined various religious practices of Europe and Africa, creating a cultural tradition that became iconically American. Connect their syncopated musical rhythms from the past to the present and learn how music can be a form of joyful resistance in times of oppression.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Sunday, July 5, 2026, 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM.
SHOUT
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join our ensemble of performers as they sing, dance, and teach through storytelling. Learn about the ring shout—a powerful practice blending song and rhythmic movement created by enslaved communities in the 1700s and 1800s. They combined various religious practices of Europe and Africa, creating a cultural tradition that became iconically American. Connect their syncopated musical rhythms from the past to the present and learn how music can be a form of joyful resistance in times of oppression.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Sunday, July 5, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.
SHOUT
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join our ensemble of performers as they sing, dance, and teach through storytelling. Learn about the ring shout—a powerful practice blending song and rhythmic movement created by enslaved communities in the 1700s and 1800s. They combined various religious practices of Europe and Africa, creating a cultural tradition that became iconically American. Connect their syncopated musical rhythms from the past to the present and learn how music can be a form of joyful resistance in times of oppression.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Sunday, July 5, 2026, 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM.
Interactive Programs
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Docents offer interactive programming throughout the museum, in the form of Highlights tours of the museum, gallery spotlight talks, and hands-on cart programs.
Tours of the museum’s highlights generally take place daily at 10:15 AM and 1 PM. Additional tours may be offered on the hour between 11 AM and 3 PM as docents are available. Please check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Gallery spotlight talks take place throughout the day. Docents offer a 15-minute overview of an exhibition or briefly discuss a favorite museum object. Look for the "Docent on Duty" signs posted outside the exhibition entrances.
Docents stationed at carts help visitors get their hands on history and learn about the museum's collections. Carts are located throughout the museum, and you can check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Year-Round:
Available most days between 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
Notes:
Programs are subject to docent availability; last-minute cancellations may occur.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Multiple floors. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, July 6, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet Mary Pickersgill, seamstress of the enormous garrison flag that inspired the lyrics to America’s national anthem and later became known as the Star-Spangled Banner. What was it like to live in a nation defending its sovereignty? Learn about the War of 1812, considered America’s Second War of Independence, and about ways that widows like Mary expressed patriotism and resourcefulness through acquired skills and family connections.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Flag Hall, 2 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: The Star-Spangled Banner. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, July 6, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, July 6, 2026, 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, July 6, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.
Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet Mary Pickersgill, seamstress of the enormous garrison flag that inspired the lyrics to America’s national anthem and later became known as the Star-Spangled Banner. What was it like to live in a nation defending its sovereignty? Learn about the War of 1812, considered America’s Second War of Independence, and about ways that widows like Mary expressed patriotism and resourcefulness through acquired skills and family connections.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Flag Hall, 2 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: The Star-Spangled Banner. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, July 6, 2026, 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, July 6, 2026, 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM.
Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet Mary Pickersgill, seamstress of the enormous garrison flag that inspired the lyrics to America’s national anthem and later became known as the Star-Spangled Banner. What was it like to live in a nation defending its sovereignty? Learn about the War of 1812, considered America’s Second War of Independence, and about ways that widows like Mary expressed patriotism and resourcefulness through acquired skills and family connections.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Flag Hall, 2 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: The Star-Spangled Banner. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, July 6, 2026, 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM.