A Night (I mean a DAY) in a Museum
Recently Reagan (one of my favorite former students and an avid reader of my Blog) sent me a picture from Roosa Elementary, a school where I visited and presented earlier this year. The photograph showed Reagan with George Washington! Every year this school’s students have a Living Museum. Each pupil selects a famous person from the past, researches the historical individual, and then becomes that personality. Students and parents from across the district are invited to visit the museum. Each Roosa re-enactor is frozen like a statue on an “upside-down” desk which has ribbons swaging from leg to leg to simulate velour-roped stanchions. One of the legs has a bright colored dot (one of those sticky kinds) that the observer is supposed to “push” for the animation to begin action. As the spectator presses the button, the historical visage comes to life to inform the viewer about his or her life and accomplishments. After recounting their tale, the character returns to his/her motionless position. Reagan said the George Washington (Corey Brown from Mrs. Burn’s third grade class) was darling (I bet the General would have blushed at that compliment!)!
This creative learning activity made me remember (with longing) the time I spent in the Donald W. Reynolds Educational Center at Mount Vernon. ATTENTION EVERYONE: If you are planning to go to Mount Vernon (close to D.C.) this summer do NOT just run through George Washington’s house (which is a MUST SEE). You NEED to the experience the dynamic educational museum! It is ENGROSSING, RIVETING, AND GRIPPING! I have been in the Center at least a dozen times in the past year and I find something new every time! This is a family-oriented exhibit that is very “hands on” in its approach—made especially for active boys! Although there are MANY cool areas, my favorites include:
1. The Revolutionary War Theater where it snows (a lot) on the audience during the Valley Forge winter—I am still trying to figure at how it disappears when it lands on my hands!
2. The three countenances of Washington that look so real I always think he is going to start talking to me.
3. Washington’s false teeth (NOT WOODEN) and his toothbrush-which always make me hesitate to eat candy!
Anyone would love to spend a day (or NIGHT) in this museum!
NOTE: For the next several weeks I am going to be writing about different venues to see and do during your visit at Mount Vernon. Airfares are cheap, so everyone load up and head to our First President’s home!
May 13th, 2009 at 8:02 am
Yay! Mr. Mini-Washington has to be one of the cutest things ever.
The Donald W. Reynolds Educational Center at Mount Vernon was definitely amazing. One of my favorite parts was the wall-sized version of Parson Weems' Fable by Grant Wood. Oh and the Washington bust! Oh and the General's outfit on display! Oh and... I could really go on all day.
May 20th, 2009 at 12:48 pm
Who wouldn't love the view of the Potomac River? Mount Vernon is a homesite you could visit over and over and still find something new to love best!