Museums

Museum Exhibits Scheduled for 2012

The following listings, though hardly comprehensive, should give you an idea about 2012's upcoming or current shows at major Washington museums. Because schedules sometimes change, it's always a good idea to call ahead. 

Corcoran Gallery of Art -- "30 Americans" (Oct 1, 2011-Feb 12, 2012). This is a wide-ranging survey of works by many of the most important African-American artists of the last 3 decades.

Freer Gallery -- "Seasons: Arts of Japan" (Feb 5, 2011-Mar 4, 2012). A selection of works and objects that show how seasonal associations permeate Japanese art and culture. Running simultaneously, the companion exhibit, "Seasons: Tea," displays Japanese tea utensils that embody seasonal changes.

National Gallery of Art -- "Picasso's Drawings, 1890-1921: Reinventing Tradition" (Feb 5-May 6, 2012). More than 50 works present Picasso's stylistic experiences and techniques over 30 years.

National Portrait Gallery -- "One Life: Ronald Reagan" (Jul 1, 2011-May 28, 2012). In conjunction with the centennial celebration of Ronald Reagan's birth, this exhibit examines how Reagan shaped the role of the president during his time in office.

Phillips Collection -- "Snapshot: Painter-Photographers, Bonnard to Vuillard" (Feb 4-Apr 29, 2012). Two hundred photos, 40 paintings, and 60 works on paper reveal another side of a group of post-Impressionist artists who experimented with photography (though they are better known as painters and printmakers).

Renwick Gallery -- "Something of Splendor: Decorative Arts from the White House" (Oct 1, 2011-May 6, 2012). Mounted in honor of the 50th anniversary of the White House Historical Association, this exhibit of 100 objects displayed in the White House at some time in the last 5 decades, each made by a celebrated artist, traces the history of decorative arts in the White House.

Smithsonian American Art Museum -- "The Art of Video Games" (Mar 16-Sep 30, 2012) explores the evolution of video games as an art medium. "The Civil War and American Art" (Nov 16, 2012-Apr 28, 2013) displays some of the finest artwork produced during the Civil War.

National Museum of the American Indian -- "A Song for the Horse Nation" (Oct 2011-Jan 2013, exact dates to be determined). This exhibit of 100 works of art and artifacts from the collection presents the story of the horse's influence on American Indian tribes, from the 1600s to the present.

Textile Museum -- "Weaving Abstraction: Kuba Textiles and the Woven Art of Central Africa" (Oct 15, 2011-Feb 19, 2012). An exhibit of more than 50 19th- and early-20th-century objects, including ceremonial skirts and headdresses.

Museums of Special Interest

To the right person, these lesser-known museums can be more than fascinating. Don't try to drop in without calling because most are not open daily, and some require appointments.

African American Civil War Memorial and Museum, 1925 Vermont Ave. NW, in the Grimke Building (tel. 202/667-2667; www.afroamcivilwar.org): Newly expanded from a storefront and hoping to grow even larger, this museum reveals the history of slavery and the African-American experience during the Civil War. The nearby memorial, in front of the Metro station, bears the names of the 209,145 African Americans mustered into military service during that war. Metro: U Street/African American Civil War Memorial/Cardozo.

Anderson House, 2118 Massachusetts Ave. NW (tel. 202/785-2040; www.societyofthecincinnati.org): A century-old, 50-room mansion of amazing design and impressive art and furnishings. Metro: Dupont Circle (Q St. exit).

Art Museum of the Americas, 201 18th St. NW, within the Organization of American States (tel. 202/458-6016; www.museum.oas.org): From 80 to 200 works by contemporary Latin American and Caribbean artists, on display from the museum's permanent collection. Metro: Farragut West (18th St. exit), then walk south about 6 blocks.

Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Museum, 1776 D St. NW (tel. 202/879-3241; www.dar.org/museum): Early American (pre-1840) furnishings and decorative arts; 31 rooms individually furnished to represent different early American periods. Metro: Farragut West (17th St. exit), then walk south about 5 blocks.

Decatur House, 1610 H St. NW at Lafayette Park (tel. 202/842-0920; www.decaturhouse.org): Unfurnished 1818 historic house, once home to naval hero Stephen Decatur. Closed for restoration and repairs in 2011, the house may not have reopened for tours by the time you read this. Call for information. Also houses the National Center for White House History and its fab White House Historical Association gift shop, great for souvenirs; the shop remains open through the restoration work. Metro: Farragut West (17th St. exit).

Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, 1411 W St. SE (tel. 202/426-5961; www.nps.gov/frdo): Last residence of the famous African-American 19th-century abolitionist. Metro: Anacostia, then catch the B2 bus, which stops in front of the house.

German American Heritage Museum, 719 6th St. NW (tel. 202/467-5000; www.ugac.org): This tiny museum housed in a Penn Quarter town house features exhibits about German immigration and migration across the U.S. Metro: Gallery Place-Chinatown.

Hillwood Museum and Gardens, 4155 Linnean Ave. NW (tel. 202/686-5807; www.hillwoodmuseum.org): Magnificent estate of Marjorie Merriweather Post, who collected art and artifacts of 18th-century France and of 18th- and 19th-century Russia. You can also experience formal gardens, greenhouses (2,500 orchids!), and high tea. Metro: Van Ness (exit east on Connecticut Ave., walk south to Tilden St. and turn left, then left again at Linnean).

Interior Department Museum, 1849 C St. NW (tel. 202/208-4743; www.doi.gov/interiormuseum): Permanent exhibits relating to the work of agencies that fall within the Interior Department's jurisdiction: national parks, land management, Indian affairs, fish and wildlife services, environmental protection. The museum and the Interior Department building were under renovation in 2010, but are expected to reopen in 2011. Metro: Farragut West (18th St. exit), then walk about 6 blocks south.

Kreeger Museum, 2401 Foxhall Rd. NW (tel. 202/337-3050; www.kreegermuseum.org): This museum in a residential neighborhood is a treasure-trove of art from the 1850s to the 1970s, including Impressionist paintings and the works of many American artists. Reservations required Tuesday through Friday; open without reservation Saturday. No Metro; take a cab.

Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site, 1318 Vermont Ave. NW (tel. 202/673-2402; www.nps.gov/mamc): Last D.C. residence of African-American activist/educator Bethune, who was a leading champion of black and women's rights during FDR's administration. Metro: McPherson Square (Franklin Sq./14th St. exit).

National Aquarium, lower level of the Department of Commerce Building, on 14th Street NW at Pennsylvania Avenue NW (tel. 202/482-2825; www.nationalaquarium.org): Not to be confused with Baltimore's stellar National Aquarium, this much, much smaller one will do in a pinch. It's the nation's first aquarium and rather cute, with 250 species including alligators and piranhas. Metro: Federal Triangle.

National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW (tel. 202/272-2448; www.nbm.org): Housed within a startlingly large historic building is this fine museum devoted to architecture, building, and historic preservation, and usually including a D.C.-related exhibit. Metro: Judiciary Square (F St. exit).

National Geographic Museum, 17th and M streets NW (tel. 202/857-7588; www.nationalgeographic.com/museum): Rotating exhibits related to exploration, adventure, and earth sciences, using interactive programs and artifacts. Metro: Farragut North (Connecticut Ave. and L St. exit).

Old Stone House, 3051 M St. NW (tel. 202/426-6851; www.nps.gov/olst): A 1765 structure said to be the oldest in D.C. still standing on its original foundations. It's colonial in appearance, with a cute English garden. Metro: Foggy Bottom, with a 15-minute walk.

Sewall-Belmont House, 144 Constitution Ave. NE (tel. 202/546-1210; www.sewallbelmont.org): A must for those interested in women's history, the historic house displays memorabilia of the women's suffrage movement, which got its start here. Metro: Union Station.

State Department Diplomatic Reception Rooms, 2201 D St. NW (entrance on 23rd St. NW; tel. 202/647-3241; https://diplomaticrooms.state.gov): This is a fine-arts tour of rooms that serve as our country's stage for international diplomacy and official entertaining. The rooms house a collection of Early American paintings, furniture, and decorative arts, dating from 1740. Metro: Foggy Bottom.

Textile Museum, 2320 S St. NW (tel. 202/667-0441; www.textilemuseum.org): Historic and contemporary handmade textile arts, housed in the historic John Russell Pope mansion. Special exhibits are especially noteworthy. Metro: Dupont Circle (Q St. exit), then walk a couple of blocks up Massachusetts Avenue until you see S Street.

United States Navy Memorial and Naval Heritage Center, 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW (tel. 202/737-2300; www.navymemorial.org): Plaza honors men and women of the U.S. Navy; museum features interactive video kiosks used to learn about Navy ships, aircraft, and history. Metro: Archives-Navy Memorial.

Woodrow Wilson House, 2340 S St. NW (tel. 202/387-4062; www.woodrowwilsonhouse.org): The former home of this president, as it was when he lived here in the 1920s. Docents guide visitors on hourlong tours. Metro: Dupont Circle (Q St. exit), then walk up Massachusetts Avenue until you reach S Street.

Lincoln Center on 10th Street

The 500 block of 10th Street northwest, between E and F streets, is Washington's very own Lincoln Center. The reference has nothing to do with the New York entity, but everything to do with all things Lincoln. Straddling this short section of 10th Street are Ford's Theatre, where Lincoln was shot in 1865; its basement museum of interactive exhibits and artifacts that reveal Washington life in the 1860s; Petersen House, where Lincoln died hours after he'd been shot; and now, the grand two-level Center for Education and Leadership, devoted to exploring the aftermath of Lincoln's assassination and his continuing legacy. Scheduled to open on Feb. 12, 2012, the center's exact address is 514 10th St. NW. Check the Ford's Theatre website, www.fords.org, for more information.