Diane Siskin: Read All About It

The 2016 presidential election certainly has focused at least half of our country on Washington, D.C. and all the news coming out of it.

Now that the current election is one for the history books, seeking information about history, politics and the workings of our nation continue. And probably with more citizens seeking to find out just how our country began and how it works.

You have already seen that the media and journalism outlets are continuing to work, maybe not harder, but definitely smarter, about information gathering.

A good place to find that information and keep abreast of daily news happenings is a building, located on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington. No, that place is not the White House, (although it is halfway between it and the U.S. capital), it is the Newseum.

More than a museum, library or archive, (hence the name), the Newseum promotes, explains and defends free expression and the five freedoms of the First Amendment.

Whenever you as American citizen state, “I have the right to say what I think.’

Or you say, “I am free to practice whatever religion I want.”

Or you say, “That law is unjust,” guess what, those freedoms you are expressing are protected for your use by the First Amendment of our nation’s Constitution.

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Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of RELIGION, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of SPEECH, or of the PRESS; or the right of people peaceably to ASSEMBLE, and to PETITION the Government for a redress of grievances.

-The FIRST AMENDMENT to the Constitution of the United States

During this year’s presidential political campaign lots and freedoms and rights were bantered about by all the political parties and candidates.

So if you want to know more about Campaign 2016 be sure to take in the CNN Politics Campaign exhibit at the Newseum which will remain open through January 22, 2017, right after Inauguration day.

This well-presented exhibit guides visitors towards putting their fingers on the pulse of America by exploring how digital and social media shaped this year’s campaigns.

The interactive aspect of the displays easily grabs your interest and pulls you into the action.

The cultural immersion of the Newseum often lead me and other visitors to sensory overload because of the enormous amount of details and academic research included within its walls. So I try on each visit to concentrate on one specific area or exhibit.

But, no matter what I am always drawn back to the gallery housing the most Pulitzer Prize Photographs ever assembled.

For me, like many Chattanoogans, the fact that our own former local photographer, Robin Hood, has his award-winning spot photo of a disabled American veteran at a Veteran’s Day parade in Chattanooga displayed prominently is reason enough to visit.

To mark the 100^th Anniversary of the Pulitzer Prizes this year, the gallery was updated with new photographs and ways to experience the story behind the iconic images.

For Your Information:

·      Newseum is open daily, except Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day and Inauguration Day 2017.

·      Your entrance ticket will permit you to enter 2 days in a row.

·      The Newseum guide is available in 7 languages and large print.

·      Museum hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

·      Be sure and check out all the different and “real” newspaper front pages from all over the country lining the front sidewalk of the Newseum. More front pages are displayed within the building.

·      Newseum is located at 555 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. Washington, DC 20001. www.Newseum.org.

·      Admission is charged, fees vary with different levels.

·       The Newseum is a fully accessible facility. It includes a Food Section by Wolfgang Puck and  the view from its outdoor top floor offers a wonderful panorama of the Pennsylvania Avenue, especially that of the U.S. Capitol.

By Diane Siskin

Dsiskin123@gmail.com