As November approaches, various events and exhibitions celebrate Native American Heritage Month while highlighting the rich cultural tapestry of the United States. Here’s a roundup of key happenings at the National Museum of American History and beyond.
Exhibition Openings
Value of Money
Updated Exhibition Experience
Gallery of Numismatics, One West
Opens Nov. 15 – Ongoing
The updated exhibition, “The Value of Money,” marks its 10-year anniversary with a host of new features, including a changing display case and extensive new content. Visitors can explore over 300 objects from the museum’s National Numismatic Collection, connecting American history to global narratives of exchange and innovation. Highlights include an IRS agent’s laptop used to seize $3.6 billion in stolen cryptocurrency—marking the largest financial seizure in U.S. history—and Chinese coins from the Howard F. Bowker Collection, offering insights into the history of money in China. A special display, “Revolutionary Money,” showcases early American currency, featuring a beaver pelt, colonial coins, and rare items like the legendary 1933 Double Eagle gold coin and the famous 1804 silver dollar, known as “the king of coins.”
Native American Heritage Month
“Entertainment Nation”/”Nación del espectáculo”
Ray and Dagmar Dolby Hall of American Culture
Third Floor, West, Ongoing
In celebration of Native American Heritage Month, the museum has updated its “Entertainment Nation” exhibition. A new multi-media short film, “Lakota and the Wild West Shows,” sheds light on the experiences of Native Americans who performed in William F. Cody’s “Buffalo Bill’s Wild West” shows. The film provides a poignant exploration of how the decimation of buffalo and confinement to reservations forced many Lakota tribe members to join the shows for survival, intertwining their cultural heritage with American entertainment history.
Upcoming Programs
History Film Forum: Spooky Silent Films (Double Feature)
Warner Bros. Theater, First Floor
Oct. 30, 7:30 p.m.
Free Tickets, Register at Eventbrite
Get into the Halloween spirit with a double feature of silent horror films accompanied by live music from the Andrew Simpson Ensemble. The event kicks off with the 1917 short “The Devil’s Assistant,” featuring an original score, followed by the 1927 classic “The Unknown,” starring Lon Chaney. After the screenings, there will be a discussion with the composer and museum experts, exploring themes of health and disability in the context of film history.
History Film Forum: Popeye Classic Cartoons
Warner Bros. Theater, First Floor
Nov. 19, 6:00 p.m.
Free Tickets, Eventbrite link available mid-October
Celebrate the beloved cartoon character Popeye with screenings of classic shorts from the 1940s. This event is perfect for families and fans of animation.
Smithsonian Chamber Music Society Presents: “Masterworks of Five Centuries”
Nicholas and Eugenia Taubman Hall of Music; Third Floor, West
Nov. 2 & 3, 7:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
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The Smithsonian Chamber Music Society will feature music from prominent composers spanning five centuries, performed on some of the world’s most prized instruments. Highlights include works by English composers Orlando Gibbons and William Byrd.
Holiday decorations
Exterior and Interior
Flag Hall, Second Floor
Nov. 22 to Jan. 2, 2025
As the holiday season approaches, the Smithsonian Gardens will adorn the museum with mid-century silver holiday trees and traditional decorations. The Dolls’ House, located near the “Wegmans Wonderplace,” will also receive its festive touch.
Visiting information
The museum is open seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., excluding Dec. 25. Admission is free, and no passes are required. For more information, visit the museum’s website.
Food options:
The Eat at America’s Table Cafe will offer a special Native American menu throughout November, featuring dishes like Smoked Cedar Plank Salmon and Apache Stew. The Leroy Neiman Jazz Cafe will also serve light lunches and seasonal beverages.
As the National Museum of American History continues to celebrate the complexities of the nation’s past, November promises a wealth of events that highlight cultural heritage and shared history. For details, visit the museum’s website or follow them on social media.
