Museum History Essay Assignment This assignment asks you to review an online exhibit from a historical museum.
You have to choose from:
The Smithsonian Museum of African American History
https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories
Each of the above site contain links to numerous online exhibits at these museums.
For the purposes of this assignment, you should pick one website and view one of the online
exhibits offered (For example, “Advertising War” on the American History website or “Seeing
Black Women in Power” on the African American History website. Museum History Essay Assignment

After studying the exhibit you are to write a 2-3 page response that addresses the following:
1. Provide an overview of the exhibit. What time period(s) are covered, and is it associated
with any specific event or person?
2. Museum exhibits use objects and images to tell a story. Describe the objects or images
depicted in the exhibit you have chosen and analyze how they help tell a story or inform
the public about the topic.
3. Relate the exhibit you have chosen to themes we have covered in class. How might
viewing this exhibit help students better understand race/racism, women’s rights/gender
issues, capitalism and industry, politics, immigration, or something else we have covered
this semester.
4. Provide your personal reaction. Were you engaged by this exhibit? Does this website do
a good job of explaining its topic and presenting it an accessible way? Why or why not?
What improvements would you suggest to this site?
While this is a short assignment, should aim for a well-written piece. Museum History Essay Assignment

2. Museum exhibits use objects and images to tell a story. Describe the objects or images
depicted in the exhibit you have chosen and analyze how they help tell a story or inform
the public about the topic.
3. Relate the exhibit you have chosen to themes we have covered in class. How might
viewing this exhibit help students better understand race/racism, women’s rights/gender
issues, capitalism and industry, politics, immigration, or something else we have covered
this semester.
4. Provide your personal reaction. Were you engaged by this exhibit? Does this website do
a good job of explaining its topic and presenting it an accessible way? Why or why not?
What improvements would you suggest to this site?
While this is a short assignment, should aim for a well-written piece. Museum History Essay Assignment