| Want your students to know more about the | | | | United States. |
| world we live in? Look to the past.Students | | | | Children and adults always want to visit the Air & |
| traveling to Washington DC should visit our | | | | Space Museum. This is one of the most visited |
| nation's leading educational facility, the Smithsonian | | | | museums and houses aircraft from all eras. |
| Institution. There are 16 museums and the | | | | Students who visit the Air and Space Museum will |
| National Zoo in Washington DC and 2 museums in | | | | see the Wright 1903 Flyer, the first |
| New York. There are plans to build a 19th | | | | engine-powered airplane, the Spirit of St. Louis, |
| museum, the National Museum of African | | | | the plane used by Charles Lindbergh on the first |
| American History and Culture, in Washington DC. | | | | transatlantic flight in 1927 and the Apollo 11 |
| While I haven't visited all the museums, so far my | | | | Command Module. The Museum of American |
| favorite is the National Gallery of Art. Seeing | | | | History teaches us about our lives as Americans. |
| actual paintings by impressionists Renoir and | | | | Our students study about our early history as |
| Monet with my own eyes was incredible. Knowing | | | | colonists, then as citizens of the United States, as |
| their names and seeing their works on the pages | | | | northerners and southerners and ultimately as |
| of books and magazines is impressive enough but | | | | fellow Americans. We can see how we got where |
| to see the canvas that the masters created | | | | we are today. |
| themselves was an experience very special for | | | | America's first flag, our entertainment, our politics, |
| me. Pablo Picasso is a favorite of many and "Boy | | | | our military and our homes lives on display for our |
| with a Pipe" became one of the most expensive | | | | students and other visitors to learn from. Adult |
| paintings ever sold. Your group may not see this | | | | groups who visit this museum may sense a bit of |
| particular painting but there are others worth | | | | nostalgia in some of the items that can be seen. |
| investing your time in. | | | | Dorothy's ruby slippers were on display, from the |
| The Museum of Natural History is another exciting | | | | ever famous movie The Wizard of Oz as well as |
| place to learn about our past. The museum's | | | | sports memorabilia, and 33 and 45 records, better |
| motto states "The National Museum of Natural | | | | known today as "vinyl". |
| History is dedicated to understanding the natural | | | | When your group takes the time to visit the |
| world and our place in it." Your student group will | | | | Smithsonian Institutes there will be something of |
| see animal kingdoms past and present along with | | | | interest for everyone, young and old and in |
| fabulous gems such as the Hope Diamond. The | | | | between. As you tour these museums, be sure |
| Hope Diamond is 45.52 carats and is more than a | | | | to allow time in your trip for going through |
| billion years old (so they say). In 1958, the | | | | security at each location because our world |
| diamond was donated to the Museum of Natural | | | | treasures as well as our people, need to be |
| History, and it now belongs to the people of the | | | | protected. Enjoy your travels. |