Washington DC With Kids--Best Bets-- The Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery

The Portrait Gallery Is A Great Place For Kids To Learn History as They Discover the Individuals Who Have Left Their Mark On Our Country & Culture

The National Portrait Gallery is one of the best kept secrets in Washington. Located at 8th & F St NW, the Portrait Gallery gets far less traffic than the Smithsonian museums along the National Mall. Yet, the Gallery houses an amazing collection of portraits of individuals such as Martin Luther King, George Washington, Frederick Douglas, and George Washington Carver, icons of pop culture such as Bob Hope, Babe Ruth & Madonna, authors such as Eudora Welty and Mark Twain, and artists such as Mary Cassat and George Gershwin.

Each portrait at the Gallery is accompanied by a brief history of the subject, which helps youngsters associate the image and appearance of these figures with their place in history. The portraits are arranged in groups around specific events such as the Civil War or the Civil Rights Movement which adds continuity and structure to the experience. The portraits themselves are amazing works of art, providing yet another learning dimension to a visit to the Gallery.

The Gallery has the most complete collection of presidential portraits outside of the White House, and includes multimedia exhibits, paintings, sculpture, photographs and caricatures to capture the personalities and essence of our our leaders and icons.

A visit to the Portrait Gallery is well worth the trip and a great way to learn American history. The building housing the museum is one of the oldest in Washington, dating to 1836 when it housed the US Patent Office.  There is a beautiful atrium and cafe in the center of the building to enjoy when its time to take a break from viewing portraits.

While visiting the Portrait Gallery be sure to visit the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

Housed in the same historic building as the Portrait Gallery, the American Art Museum, includes the work of Winslow Homer, Edward Hopper, Robert Rauschenberg  and Georgia O’Keefe among others. The collection captures the character and imagination of the American people. The paintings are a wonderful link to our nation’s past, present and future. Be sure to vist the Lunder Conservation Center, which allows kids to view the process of restoring and conserving paintings and other national treasures through floor to ceiling glass windows.

About Wonder Rotunda

The Wonder Rotunda is an online educational theme park (for ages 7-12) that sparks curiosity, helps kids find their interests and passions, and inspires them to think about making a mark in the world. Topics explored include marine life, space exploration, animal life, classical music, nutrition, American government, globalization, climate change, money and business, the visual and performing arts, film making and climate change. Take the Free Tour.

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