Lamberton Students Find Treasures At The Museum

Forty two 3rd and 4th grade students from the Robert E. Lamberton School in West Philadelphia were treated to a unique experience at the Archives Center at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History on May 24. Archives Center staff rotated the students through four stations, showed students the Famous Amos collection, which was featured in Treasures at the Museum, and an array of scrapbooks of interest to children, picturing how they might create some of their own. Students also visited an exhibit on Mid-20th Century Toys/Create your own story with Interpretive Exhibits Coordinator who had the students participate in a demonstration where they created static electricity and then did some creative drawing. 

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Children and the Archives

It's never too soon to introduce your children to archives. When children understand the concepts of archives, they understand history. Grab a copy of Treasures at the Museum and let your child know that he/she is making history everyday!
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Latest Interview

Thanks to Anika Nailah who blogs at "Between Books: A Writer's Journey" for the opportunity to talk about my process after composing Treasures at the Museum. Check out the interview at A Writers Journey.

Living Legends Honored

Great fun this afternoon at the Association for the Study of African American Life and History ASALH Event.  Held at the Renaissance Hotel on 999 9th St. NW Washington, DC., the program theme was Black Women in American Culture and History.  I was gratified to see some twenty living legends honored this afternoon, including Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagan and Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole, two women I have had the opportunity to work with during my tenure at the Smithsonian Institution.  I was also gratified to see the many folks who stopped by the table, including Dr. Thomas Battle and Dr. Howard Dodson, two men who have shepherded great African and African American history collections for decades. 
There were over 1,000 people at the ASALH luncheon. The folks were out in all their finery, and Dr. Johnnetta Cole gave a wonderful keynote address.   I look forward to joining the event next year...
Many, many, many thanks to all who stopped by to purchase and share Treasures with a loved one.

New Poster for Treasures at the Museum

Book Signing at ASALH and more

Friday's (2/17/2012) book signing outside the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History Mall Store was steady. Fifteen new young people were introduced to Treasures... A couple of them signed in for me. I'd like to give a shout out to Mia Johnston and Collin Pace. Thanks for dropping by!


Remember, Saturday, February 25th, I will be part of the featured author's event for the annual luncheon of the  Association for the Study of African American Life and History at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Washington, DC.  The event will occur from 10 a.m. until 12:30 immediately proceeding the luncheon.  If you have tickets to the luncheon, you will be able to find me at the Smithsonian's American History Museum table during the event.  Hope to see you there!

Treasures and Valentines

Yesterday, February 10, there was an open house at the Archives Center, NMAH. One of the staff created a display for Valentine's Day. There were approximately 70 items on display from various 19th and 20th greeting card collections in the Center. Over 100 visitors came through. Treasures at the Museum also was on display outside the Center. I was able to introduce visitors to both the book and the Center. We made sales and had a crowd. What a fun afternoon! Archives Center, NMAH Smithsonian Institution