After a young lady learned to embroider a sampler, she might attend a female academy to make a silk embroidered picture. This was a more challenging technique that became popular in the early 1800s. Subjects included classical, biblical, and historical scenes, as well as mourning pictures.

Custom-made in 1989 by the Minneapolis, Minn., firm of Knut-Koupee Enterprises, this Yellow-cloud electric guitar was designed and used by Prince. The musician's distinctive personal symbol adorns both the top and the side of the fingerboard. Custom work for famous instrumentalists and musicians

Made in a San Diego sign shop, this metal menu board formed one side of a speaker box at a Jack in the Box drive thru restaurant. Drivers approached the menu, made their selections, and proceeded to the speaker box to place their orders. This menu is from the early 1960s and features an 18-cent h

From the moment when, in 1963, Julia Child whisked up an omelet on the pilot for her new cooking show, The French Chef, Americans wanted that whisk for their kitchens, just as they came to want any tool or utensil that Julia used. Certainly, egg beaters of all sorts were common in American kitche

In this episode of the History Explorer podcast series, Curator Shannon Perich discusses how portraiture can be used in historical research. Shannon presents three historical portraits (including Dorothea Lange's Migrant Mother), describing the historical context of each, while also providin

In this episode of the History Explorer podcast, curator Deborah Warner discusses the role of sugar and various sweeteners in American history. In addition to being a staple in the American diet, sugar's role in our nation's history touches on subjects of science and technology, labor and ca

Use this guide to actively read September 12: We Knew Everything Would Be Alright, a very basic picture book about children’s reactions to September 11, 2001. Part of an OurStory module from entitled September 11, 2001, this activity includes discussion prompts and background

Take a close look at two architectural drawings to learn about symmetry and scale. Part of an OurStory module entitled Building Beautiful Buildings, this activity includes step-by-step instructions, images of museum objects, and background information on architecture. OurStory is designe

Just how big is the Star-Spangled Banner? In this classroom activity, students will visualize the area of the famous flag by measuring pieces of string and attaching them to create an outline of the Star-Spangled Banner. This activity is included in the online exhibition entitled The

What do museums do? In this classroom activity, students will recognize the Smithsonian Institution and be able to explain what a museum does. This is accomplished through the use of discussion questions and activities in which they relate stories from prior museum visits or share ideas for a mus