Tour Consultant Katy Peters was on the road last year in Washington, D.C. She shares with us about one of her must-see Washington, D.C., sites—the Newseum.
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I had the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C. this past December with colleagues, and while many sights stick out in my mind, none were as enjoyable as the Newseum. When I speak to teachers who have gone on the tour with Smithsonian Student Travel the majority agree that the Newseum is an awesome experience for students, and truly one of the most interactive museum options in the city!
This interactive museum of news and journalism is dedicated “to helping the public and the news media understand one another better” and to “raising public awareness of the important role of a free press in a democratic society.” Since its reopening in 2008, the Newseum has welcomed more than 2 million visitors.
View photos of the Newseum's opening day on April 11, 2008.
When I was lucky enough to visit the Newseum, I was amazed by how large it was. It has seven levels of displays, 15 theaters, a dozen major galleries, two broadcast studios, and an interactive newsroom that lets visitors play the part of a photojournalist, editor, reporter or anchor. Find out more about Newseum “by the numbers” or take a virtual tour. There are permanent exhibits that chronicle the history of the news and journalism through a collection of newspapers and magazines as well as highlight major events in the history of our country’s press. There is a memorial dedicated to journalists who have died in the pursuit of the news, along with a gallery full of front-page headlines from around the world.
There are two exhibits that cannot be missed in the Newseum—the first is the 9/11 exhibit. Complete with a video of journalists recalling that day at Ground Zero, the exhibit is moving, emotional and one of the best tributes to 9/11 that I have ever seen. There are front pages from every state in the U.S. on the day after the attacks. For middle or high school students who are probably too young to remember the attacks, it is a great way to communicate what a life-changing event in modern American history 9/11 was. For adults who do remember the attack, it is a great time to take a reflective moment and pay tribute to those who lost their lives.
The second must-see exhibit is the Pulitzer Prize photography exhibit. Besides the breathtaking images to look at, the museum has put together videos of the photographers providing insight behind the pictures and what inspired them. Located on the lower level of the Newseum, one could easily spend an hour or two in this exhibit.
Visitors should also check out the Hank Greenspun Terrace on Pennsylvania Avenue that offers a panoramic view of Pennsylvania Avenue and major Washington, D.C., landmarks. Here’s a picture I took of the Capitol Building from the terrace on my visit in December!
I hope that every teacher who travels to Washington, D.C., gets a chance to take his or her students to the Newseum. For me, it was entertaining, interactive and informative. Most importantly, it inspired me to learn about our nation’s long history with the news and journalism, and how these professions have helped turned freedom of speech and press into a staple of American culture.
And for teachers, be sure to look at the Newseum lesson plans (useful if you are visiting or just want to incorporate a journalism-themed lesson into your classroom!).
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