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Here is a collection of places that we have visited,
or know of...
...
that are worth a
visit...
We
will continue to add to this collection.
Recent Museum Reviews:
McWane Center (March 2005)
We
recently visited the McWane Center in Birmingham,
Alabama to see their newest exhibit,
Tutankhamen:
Wonderful Things from the Pharaoh’s
Tomb. The exhibit presents an unprecedented glimpse
into King Tutankhamen’s life, death and treasures.
There were over 120 exact replicas of King Tut’s
original treasures which allowed us to experience
the splendor and opulence of Egypt’s 18th Dynasty,
without traveling to Cairo. The exhibit that
captivated us the most was the final exhibit showing
King Tut laying in his tomb with all of the various
artifacts surrounding him that he would need in the
afterlife.
EarlyWorks and Constitution
Village (February 2005) Once
again, we have been out visiting museums...
this time at EarlyWorks in Huntsville, Alabama.
The whole EarlyWorks
museum group consists of the EarlyWorks Children's
Museum, Constitution Village, the Historic
Huntsville Depot
and the Humphrey-Rodgers House. EarlyWorks
is a very nicely done children's museum. We
happened to go there when the place was bristling
with activity and it was our great pleasure to watch
the EarlyWorks staff and volunteers in action.
Constitution Village is the birthplace of the state
of Alabama. Visitors can become
a part of the 19th-century as villagers dressed in
period clothing tour you through eight reconstructed
Federal style buildings. If you ever find yourself passing
through the area, drop by EarlyWorks and the
Constitution Village. While the U.S. Space &
Rocket Center gets all the attention (and who can
miss the massive Saturn V beckoning visitors to the
gate?), The EarlyWorks group are
understated museum and historical gems of the
region.
Stephen F. Udvar-Hazy
Center (January 2005) We recently visited the year old Hazy
Center... an extension of the National Air & Space
Museum (NASM). The Hazy Center is located next
to the Dulles Airport in Chantilly, Virginia and
houses the most spectacular collection of space and
aviation artifacts
that were mostly just too big to put in at the NASM mall
facility. Of note is the Space Shuttle
Enterprise, Enola Gay, Concorde and SR-71 Blackbird,
but there are literally hundreds more aircraft to
see. They plan to showcase around 300 aircraft
when all is said and done. Visit NASM on the
mall, but make sure to get on the bus that is
provided and run out to the Hazy Center for a visit
and see before you the whole history of flight.
The Spy Museum
(January 2005) We recently visited The Spy Museum
in Washington, D.C. purely because the name of it sounded so fun.
In a waiting area, you memorize your spy name and
history and then enter into the world of spies.
This was truly a well done and fascinating museum
that is fun for the whole family. You will
learn about the history of spying, tools of the
trade, famous spies and more. The gift shop is
large and fun. There is also a good cafe and
restaurant on the premises.
National Museum of
the American Indian (January 2005)
On the mall in Washington, D.C. is a
fairly new museum that we were able
to visit: the National Museum of the American
Indian. It is one of the most architecturally
fascinating buildings. It is the first
national museum dedicated to the preservation,
study, and exhibition of the life, languages,
literature, history, and arts of Native Americans.
"The National Museum of the American Indian features
three permanent exhibition galleries, a temporary
art gallery, hands-on demonstrations, film, music
and dance," according to their press release.
It is well worth visiting to gain an insightful
glimpse into the history and lives of America's
first settlers.
National Naval Air
Museum (December 2004) We
recently visited the National Naval
Air Museum in Pensacola, Florida for fun. If
you haven't been there... GO! It is one of the
most fantastic aviation museums that we have ever
seen. We have seen so many space and aviation
museums that it is a little hard to awe us... but in
awe we were! What a fantastic job the
designers and staff have done! Just wanted to
share our thoughts with you and encourage everyone
to drop by the museum. |
