The Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum (NASM) recently opened a new gallery devoted to exploring recent human spaceflight during the space station and space shuttle eras, as well as to contemplating future spaceflight possibilities. "Moving Beyond Earth" includes artifacts such as space suits and astronaut gear; models including a 12' tall space shuttle replica; …
On the Water: Stories from Maritime America
Throughout our history, America's waterways have served as important corridors, connecting sites within the United States, as well as linking us to other countries and continents. "On the Water: Stories from Maritime America" is a permanent exhibit at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History (NMAH), Washington, D.C., which examines marine commerce and transportation by …
Interview with Kathleen Varnell, OEC Senior Exhibits Specialist and Ceramic Artist
Q: Can you describe what you do as a Senior Exhibits Specialist at the Office of Exhibits Central (OEC)? A: I am a team leader of day-to-day operations, frequently acting supervisor of the Graphics unit, and point person for production and installation of numerous exhibitions. Additionally, I train and counsel assigned employees and interns on …
3-D Scanning and Printing Initiative
The Office of Exhibits Central (OEC) recently launched an exciting new initiative utilizing 3-D scanning and printing technology. One of the projects for which it is being used is an upcoming exhibit on which OEC is collaborating with the National Museum of Natural History (NMNH). For the past several months, OEC model maker, Carolyn Thome, …
Rock seating
The Office of Exhibits Central (OEC) has been collaborating with the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) on the creation of a bronze sculpture for inclusion in one of the museum’s upcoming exhibits. When completed, the sculpture will resemble boulder-size rocks on which visitors can sit, allowing them to interact with the surrounding sculptural …
Night at the Museum “pile of loot” installation
The Smithsonian Castle–prominently featured in the witty 20th Century Fox motion picture, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian–is currently the setting for the display of one of the many spectacular props included in the movie. The enormous “pile of loot,” supposedly pilfered from the museum’s collections by the film’s arch villain, the evil …
Journey Stories
The Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street (MoMS) program recently completed the latest in a series of exhibits developed in collaboration with the Federation of State Humanities Councils. MoMS–a division of the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES) which serves small town museums and residents of rural America–has added “Journey Stories” to its impressive list of exhibit offerings. Curated by …
Smithsonian Women’s Committee Craft Show
Partnering for Safer Exhibits
On an early morning in September 1970, a fire at the National Museum of American History (then the Museum of History and Technology) destroyed almost the entire third floor. In response, the Smithsonian Institution developed fire safety standards above those of the legal building codes. Now, Andy Wilson, associate director of fire protection services in …
Working Together on Dig It!
OEC’s Model Shop is working on two components for the National Museum of Natural History’s new exhibition, Dig It!: The Secrets of Soil — a topographic model showing the layers of soil under the surface and how they affect the land on which we live, and a cast of a tree trunk for the entrance …