Posted on Thursday, April 3, 2025
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by AMAC, D.J. Wilson
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Museums display artifacts so that people can gain insight and absorb history from seeing tangible objects. However, no museum experience is complete without direct accounts of people who have lived through historical times and events. Here are six must-see museums in the USA offering interactive exhibits plus riveting stories of people who experienced history firsthand.
National Medal of Honor Museum, Arlington, Texas: This groundbreaking museum just celebrated its beginning with former president George W. Bush, First Lady Laura Bush, and 32 Medal of Honor Recipients in attendance for the ribbon cutting celebration. This patriotic museum uniquely tells the moving stories of more than 3,500 courageous recipients of the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest award for valor in combat. The gallery exhibits historical and personal accounts plus physical artifacts to include letters, uniforms, weapons, and more. The museum is fitted with an educational center for the promotion of learning, and event and ceremonial space.
Visit: https://mohmuseum.org/
Museum of Indian Arts & Culture, Santa Fe, New Mexico: This culturally rich museum promotes the voices, perspectives, and narratives of the indigenous peoples of the American southwest. Come listen to real life historical accounts of the native people and explore vast collections of art and artifacts to include authentic pottery, textiles, and jewelry from early history to the present day. Enjoy demonstrations, educational lectures, rotating exhibits and an outdoor sculpture garden to round-out the experience.
Visit: https://www.indianartsandculture.org/
The WWII Museum, New Orleans, Louisiana: This exemplary museum strives to tell the story of the American experience during “the war that changed the world.” As a significant part of its mission, the museum aims to share why World War II was fought, how it was won, and what it means today. The museum’s primary goals are to share accounts of the war so that generations to come will comprehend the price of freedom, appreciate the sacrifices made, and be inspired by the valuable lessons learned.
Visit: https://www.nationalww2museum.org/
Tenement Museum, New York, New York: This dynamic museum serves to bridge the past and present by sharing the story of immigrants, migrants, and refugees. Visitors can explore the recreated homes of immigrants who lived in New York City between 1860s and the 1980s. Not only will visitors experience over 100 years of New York City history, but the museum also offers interactive guided tours of the building and iconic Lower East Side neighborhood and revolving special tours and exhibits.
Visit: https://www.tenement.org/
African American Museum, Philadelphia, PA: This excellent museum fosters a deeper understanding of African American history and culture. It offers a chronological exploration of the African American experience from the early colonial era, focusing on the roles of African Americans in the founding of the nation. The first floor showcases a video installation where historic figures share their experiences as Black Philadelphians during the time of the Revolution. Upper floors are dedicated to temporary exhibitions aimed at providing a dynamic and evolving experience.
Visit: https://www.aampmuseum.org/
National Museum of Civil War Medicine, Frederick, Maryland: This memorable museum is dedicated to sharing the medical history of the Civil War. Visitors can follow in the footsteps of soldiers and surgeons to learn about the harsh conditions they encountered on the battlefield during wartime. The museum houses medical instruments, uniforms, personal items and more. Guests of the museum will derive inspiration from the innovations of Civil War medicine that greatly impacted modern day medical technology.
Visit: https://www.civilwarmed.org/
Why visit personal narrative museums?
Going to museums and immersing oneself in history through the deeply personal accounts of others provides interactive experiences from which to learn and grow. In the words of Benjamin Franklin, a leading Founding Father of the United States, “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.”
Uniting past and present
This collection of six must-see museums in the USA is just a mini sampling of many worthwhile ones designed to share and teach history through the tragedies and triumphs of brave individuals. These interactional museums not only set out to teach facts and highlight individual contributions that changed history, but they also communicate perspectives on human conditions so that future generations can learn from the past and build a better tomorrow.
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