'The Smithsonians, Part 2: Postwar Visions' Webinar

Tickets: $18.88 ( incl. $3.88 fees ) (includes access to the full replay for one week)

Click the link below to officially register for this experience:

https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1981352238883

From red sandstone castles to soaring modern landmarks, the museums of the National Mall have always been more than just places to house objects — they’re monuments to what America chooses to value, preserve, and celebrate. What can the architecture of these iconic institutions, built over a span of more than 170 years, tell us about changing ideas of progress, national identity, and public memory? It's time for an in-depth exploration of the Smithsonian museums as a living timeline of American architecture — and a mirror of the country’s evolving ideals.

Join New York Adventure Club for a two-part virtual journey through the Smithsonian Institution and its neighboring museums, which together trace the evolution of American architecture, culture, and identity along the National Mall. In Part Two: The Post-WWII Era, we’ll explore how newer museums on the Mall broke away from tradition — and how their bold forms, innovative materials, and symbolic designs reflect a broader, more inclusive American narrative.

Led by Carolyn Muraskin, architectural historian and founder of DC Design Tours, this unique experience will include:

• National Museum of American History – A clean-lined modern building designed to showcase everything from presidential artifacts to everyday objects that shape American life
• Hirshhorn Museum – A massive concrete cylinder that shocked critics when it opened, announcing that modern art and architecture had arrived on the Mall
• National Air and Space Museum – A large, light-filled modern complex designed to make aviation and space exploration accessible to millions of visitors each year
• National Gallery of Art, East Building – I. M. Pei’s striking geometric design, which introduced high-modern architecture to the Mall and reimagined how art could be displayed
• The Smithsonian Quadrangle – An innovative vast underground complex that allowed the Smithsonian to expand without adding more large buildings to the Mall’s surface
• Museum of the American Indian – A curving, stone-clad building shaped by wind and water rather than straight lines, inspired by Indigenous landscapes and traditions
• National Museum of African American History and Culture – A striking modern design whose tiered bronze form references African art and craftsmanship, designed to stand out while remaining connected to the Mall
• Future Museums – A look ahead at planned new museums, including the National Museum of American Women’s History and the National Museum of the American Latino, and what they may mean for the Mall’s next chapter

Afterward, we'll have a Q&A with Carolyn — any and all questions are welcomed and encouraged!
Can't make it live? Don't worry, you'll have access to the full replay through one week after the entire series concludes.
See you there, virtually!

*Immediately upon registering, you will receive a separate, automated email containing the link to join this webinar
**For the best possible viewing experience, please ensure you're using the latest version of your internet browser
***A full replay of the experience will be available to all registered guests for up to a week after the series finale
****If the event has already passed, but it's been less than a week since the series finale, you can still register for it on our website's active replay section!

About Carolyn
Founder and Owner, DC Design Tours
Carolyn Muraskin founded DC Design Tours in 2015 to share her passion for Washington DC’s design through walking, driving, bike, boat and virtual tours that uncover the city’s architectural secrets and surprising stories. A University of Maryland architecture grad and former designer, Carolyn worked on projects ranging from historic restorations to mixed-use developments.
Carolyn and her team lead architecture-focused tours across DC’s diverse neighborhoods—including Embassy Row, Capitol Hill, U Street, Georgetown, and Anacostia—designed for curious visitors of all backgrounds and interests. She has collaborated with institutions like the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Smithsonian and has appeared on the Discovery Channel. Carolyn lives in Northwest DC and has a serious passion for all things brick, mortar, and design.

The Smithsonians, America’s Architectural Story Series
Part 1: Founding to WWII (Monday, February 23 @ 8:00pm ET)
Part 2: The Post-WWII Era (Monday, March 2 @ 8:00pm ET)

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Categories: Virtual, Landmarks