Museums Blog

 The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati

This museum opened my eyes to the horror of slavery in the United States. We all know that slavery happened and it was a cruelty, but it is different when you see some of the quotes and pictures because it makes it feel more personal.

It was depressing to observe that people were kept in unsanitary, uncomfortable settings. These ships carried slaves, and the voyages occasionally lasted up to six weeks. The tragic thing is that the horrors experienced by the Africans on board the slave ships were only beginning. 

I was pleased by how much information there was on slavery. Dates, specific people's biographies and contributions, facts, events, etc. were all mentioned in the museum. I didn't anticipate seeing facts regarding modern slavery, for one thing. 

I'm glad they included that detail because it demonstrates that, despite the regret that many of us feel about the history of slavery in America, we can still do our part to put a stop to the practice now. Many of which are located in other nations.

The National Museum of African American Music in Nashville

I enjoy how, although being a museum of music, this one can still be used to trace the origins and development of many other musical genres, including African American music. Many of the topics discussed in the museum had already been covered in class.

I anticipated that this museum would resemble the one in Cincinnati. It was similar to it in a number of respects, yet it was different since it was significantly more engaging and interactive. There was a station where you could read an African American artist's biography and view some of his influencers, followers, and peers. Furthermore, if any of those names appeal to you, you can click on them to obtain the same results. I was at this station for a while trying to immerse myself with African American music, particularly the older ones.

Another interactive part that I liked was that I was able to mix a song. The lyrics and vocals were good, but it is sadly not an official song. 

The National Museum of African American History and Culture in DC

Most museums you need to spend between 90 and 150 minutes;however, this museum was an exception. I was scheduled to be there at 3:30 and the museum closed at 5:30. Eileen Guenther did advise us to start on the bottom, which was five floors if I am remembering correctly. Since we   were on a strict time schedule I only was able to see about three out of the five bottom floors. The last 45 minutes I saw three of the five top floors. The bottom floors of this facility  contained more information regarding slavery than the whole of  The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati.

The quote “My story ends with freedom”by Ha rriet Jacobs caught my attention. This phrase reflects a typical African American spiritual  since it  incorporates the theme of hope while remaining simple and universal. This brief, straightforward statement echoed the stories of millions or hundreds of thousands of enslaved African Americans. Furthermore, this quotation is timeless in that it can apply to slavery in the present era as well as slavery throughout the period from 1400 to 1877. 

Next time if I have the opportunity to go to this museum, I will plan to stay longer.