National Building Museum launches city-wide collaboration commemorating 1968
January 3, 2018
On January 6, lectures, hands on activities, live music, and more commemorate 50th anniversary of historic year
WHAT
On January 6 from 11 am to 4 pm, the National Building Museum and The 1968-2018 Collaborative present an all ages event that explores D.C. as it was in 1968: a predominantly African American city in a complex time of grassroots organizing, groundbreaking initiatives, creative expression, racism, protests, and activism.
Activities and collaborators include:
- Discover Marion Barry’s impact on D.C.’s built environment with George Derek Musgrove, co-author of Chocolate City: A History of Race and Democracy in the Nation’s Capital
- Map the events of 1968 through photographs and first-hand accounts with the Washington Architectural Foundation and the DC Public Library’s Special Collections
- Listen to live music evocative of 1968 performed by the National Symphony Orchestra
- Learn how to preserve your family heirlooms in a personal archiving workshop with DC Public Library
- Review community organizing posters, maps, and more with the Historical Society of Washington D.C. and National Building Museum curator Sarah Leavitt
- Visualize 1968 in photos of activism, art, architecture, and everyday life with Marya Annette McQuirter, curator of the dc1968 project
- Use words and music to inspire action and break cycles of violence with One Common Unity‘s youth Fly By Light Performance Troupe
- Write and illustrate your thoughts and feelings about D.C. with artist Suhmita Mazumdar and contribute to a growing display of collective stories
A full slate of events is listed here: go.nbm.org/1968.
WHEN
Saturday, January 6, 11 am–4 pm
COST
Free. Drop in event, all ages encouraged
WHERE
National Building Museum
401 F Street NW
Washington, DC 2001
Metro: Red Line, Judiciary Square
ABOUT
The National Building Museum presents this event in partnership with others in The 1968–2018 Collaborative, a group of individuals, institutions, and organizations planning events to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the entire year of 1968 in Washington, DC. Chaired by Marya Annette McQuirter, the 1968-2018 Collaborative is an extension of the work initiated by Bernard Demczuk, historian of Ben’s Chili Bowl.
The National Building Museum is America’s leading cultural institution dedicated to advancing the quality of the built environment by educating people about its impact on their lives. Through its exhibitions, educational programs, online content, and publications, the Museum has become a vital forum for the exchange of ideas and information about the world we build for ourselves. Public inquiries: 202.272.2448 or visit www.nbm.org. Follow us on Twitter: @BuildingMuseum and Facebook: www.facebook.com/NationalBuildingMuseum.