Known as "Americas Attic", the National Museum of American History first opened its door to the public in 1964 as the Museum of History and Technology. The museum belongs to Smithsonian Institution and it's the sixth Smithsonian building built on the National Mall in Washington DC. After its two-year recent renovation, the National Museum Of American History reopened on November 21, 2008, dramatically enhancing the architectural appeal and renewing extensive collections.
More than 3 million artifacts of American history and culture are collected and preserved at the museum, which is a genuine repository of national treasures. Three floors of exhibition are offered for visitors to explore the rich diversity of America's history and culture. Popular exhibitions at the museum include Information Age, American Encounters and Field to Factory. Guests can view rare showcased items, like the original Star-Spangled Banner and Archie Bunker's Chair. After its reopening, the National Museum of American History updates the presentation of much more extensive collections, including more public programs.
Smithsonian's National Museum of American History is one of the most popular destinations on the National Mall. More than 4 million visitors come to the museum for exhibitions, collections, public programs, educational activities and research facilities. There're even millions more guests making virtual visits to the museum on the website. For more museum info, you can click into the following websites.
Homepage of National Museum of American History
http://americanhistory.si.edu/index.cfm
National Museum of American History in Wiki
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Museum_of_American_History
Where is the museum located? The National Museum of American History is situated on the National Mall. You can find it at 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W. in Washington D.C. If you're using a GPS device, the exact address for the museum is 38.89205 latitude and -77.032129, 1400 longitude. Use the Google map below and spot the museum on the map.
Google Map
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=National+Museum+of+American+History
Visitors to the National Museum of American History are given abundant opportunities to have access to various nearby tourist spots on the National Mall. Many of them are a short walk from the American History Museum, including nine other Smithsonian museums. Allow for some time to tour around these featured attractions and landmarks in the surrounding area. Some of the most recognizable attractions are listed for you.
- National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden (7th Street and Constitution Avenue NW)
- National Gallery of Art (3rd Street and 9th Street at Constitution Avenue NW)
- National Air and Space Museum (Independence Avenue at 7th Street SW)
- The National Archives (700 Pennsylvania Avenue NW)
- Lincoln Memorial (Independence Avenue and 23rd Street SW)
- US Capitol (East Capitol Street NE and 1st Street)
National Mall Map
http://www.visitingdc.com/map/national-mall-map.htm
Smithsonian Buildings Map
http://www.si.edu/Visit/Maps
The four-story building offers much more than mere exhibitions and collections. Each floor is blessed with ample amenities for coming guests. The lower level of the museum houses a food court, Stars & Stripes Cafe and ride simulators. The Main Museum Store and the Constitution Cafe are located on the first floor. The second floor is home to the Mall Museum Store and the museum's new welcome center. You can also find the Price of Freedom Store on the third floor. To have a better view of the details of each floor, browse through the following floorplans map.
Floorplans of the Museum
http://americanhistory.si.edu/visiting/floorplans.cfm
The National Museum of American History boasts one of the most accessible locations on the National Mall in the metropolitan area. It's just a piece of cake to arrive at the museum through several transportation modes. For driving directions, the shortest travel routes to the destination are offered as reference.
1) From the South
If you're traveling from the south, like Alexandria or Springfield, drive eastbound on I-495 E/I-95 N through District of Columbia and enter Maryland. Then you need to take exit 2B to merge onto I-295 N toward Washington. Proceed on I-295 N and take exit 4 toward Downtown Washington DC. Continue to drive and merge onto I-295 N. Please keep to the left at the fork and follow signs for Downtown to merge onto Southeast Fwy. Take I-395 S and then you can take the Maine Avenue exit. Merge onto Maine Avenue SW and turn to the right onto SW 15th Street. Make a right onto Constitution Avenue NW and continue to turn right onto 14th Street NW. The museum is located at the intersection.
2) From the West
Visitors coming from the west, like Arlington or Vienna, can head southwest on I-66 W. Then you can take exit 64 to merge onto I-495 S toward Richmond. Take the US-50 E/Arlington Blvd exit toward Arlington. Then you need to turn left slightly onto US-50 E/Arlington Blvd. Then you're required to keep left at the fork and follow the road signs for Washington to merge onto I-66 E. Continue to drive onto Constitution Avenue NW until you come to the crossing of 14th Street. The National Museum of American History is right there.
3) From the North
Guests from the north need to drive eastward on I-495 E. Then you should take exit 30B to merge onto US-29 S/Columbia Pike toward Silver Spring. Please continue to follow US-29 S and enter District of Columbia. Drive along 7th Street NW and veer to the right onto Rhode Island Avenue NW. Turn left onto 9th Street NW and proceed on. Turn right onto Constitution Avenue NW. The museum is just two blocks ahead at the intersection of the 14th Street NW.
4) From the East
When traveling from east of Washington DC, you need to head west on East Capitol Street NE. Continue onto C Street NE and keep to your left at the fork. Head on C Street NE and continue onto North Carolina Avenue NE. Turn slightly right and the North Carolina Avenue NE becomes East Capitol Street NE. Keep on driving and turn left onto East Capitol Street SE. Turn right onto 2nd Street NE and then you can take the first left onto Constitution Avenue NE. Head on and turn right onto US-1 Alt S and take the 2nd left onto Constitution Avenue NW. The museum is right in front of you at the crossing of 14th Street NW.
More Interactive Driving Directions
http://washingtondc.citysearch.com/profile/map/11361999/washington_dc/smithsonian_national_museum_of_american_history.html
Only a limited number of on-street parking spaces are offered near National Mall museums. These free, 3-hour limit spaces are located along Jefferson Drive and Madison Drive. As no public parking facility is available at the museum on the National Mall, the use of public transportation is recommended. The city's subway system, Metrorail, along with Metrobus, link Washington D.C. with some adjacent communities in Virginia and Maryland.
The nearest metro stations to the museum are the Federal Triangle and Smithsonian stations. The Smithsonian station is located at 1200 Independence Avenue SW. The Federal Triangle station can be found at 302 12th Street NW. For more rates and schedule info, please visit the websites below.
Federal Triangle Station
http://www.wmata.com/rail/station_detail.cfm?station_id=53
Smithsonian Station
http://www.wmata.com/rail/station_detail.cfm?station_id=54
