Best Washington D.C. Museums for Kids (continued)

Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery

The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery tells the stories of America through the individuals who have shaped U.S. culture. Through the visual arts, performing arts, and new media, the Portrait Gallery portrays poets and presidents, visionaries and villains, and actors and activists who left (and are leaving) a mark on American history. The museum offers object-based learning programs for families and youth to guide discoveries into the cultural, social, political, and personal contexts of their subjects and time periods. DeBroff says this museum is “filled with opportunities to encourage discussion about leading figures in history.” She says, “You can pick an area of history and really talk about who was in this portrait.” To learn more about the museum’s education programs or to schedule a tour, call (202) 633-8300.

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

A living memorial to the Holocaust, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum offers visitors opportunities to learn about the Holocaust in an overwhelming and dramatic setting. By transporting visitors into the environment of the Holocaust, this museum gives teenagers and their parents a framework for the monstrosity of the event, providing a powerful lesson in the fragility of freedom, the myth of progress, and the need for vigilance in preserving democratic values. With unique power and authenticity, the museum teaches millions of people each year about the dangers of unchecked hatred and the need to prevent genocide. This museum facilitates discussion and future learning—an important teaching opportunity for parents of teenagers. The museum is busiest from April through the end of July. For more information about free timed passes, contact (800) 400-9373.