Free to See History Museums in the U.S.
- The Alamo
- The Smithsonian
- U.S.S. Constitution
- The Field Museum
- California Academy of Sciences
If you’re considering studying history or are a history major, free U.S. History museums are stock in trade. From the history of the sciences to critical cultural ideologies expressed through period artwork, these institutions offer visitors a vital portal into the past. Not all five entries in this list are strictly U.S. History museums. But they all offer a facet of the culture with valuable context for continuing study.
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1. Remember the Alamo
Perhaps nothing is more valuable to historians and history majors than site remnants of significant events. House museums across the country offer slices of life during the periods when they were occupied. Sites such as the Alamo provide this context with vivid clarity. More than 2.5 million visitors walk among the four buildings that make up the museum premises each year, free of charge. Located in the state of Texas, the fort, barracks, and museum proper provide a vital touchstone in the history of the United States.
2. The Smithsonian
The Smithsonian Institution isn’t a single museum, but a collection of 19 different, dedicated museums clustered around the Mall in Washington D.C. Some events or specific exhibits are not free. However, the bulk of the locations, with their stunning array of historical paraphernalia, are free to all visitors. Whether visitors have a history degree or not, they are sure to learn something from the Air and Space Museum or the National Museum of American History. But even the locations devoted to art and beauty are educational. The Smithsonian’s Free US history museums include the National Portrait Gallery and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden.
3. The U.S.S. Constitution
This is a fantastic destination, rich with U.S. cultural history. It’s located in Boston, the town primarily regarded as the Birthplace of the Nation. Visitors can see one of the only surviving ironclad warships still afloat.
The U.S.S. Constitution, or Old Ironsides as it is affectionately christened, serves as a medium for guided tours. The tours are led by active service Naval personnel. They give visitors a taste of what life at sea entailed in the era of the Revolution. Once ashore, both old and young can wander the curated museum of period history that often plays host to:
- guided activities
- family-friendly presentations
- fascinating exhibits
4. The Field Museum
This world-renowned museum is a must-see for anyone visiting Chicago. While they do not offer free admission every day, they open their doors for free visits several dozen times each year to Illinois residents. Within their fabled halls, visitors can see famous dinosaur fossils, and sample history both domestic and foreign. The museum is well-known as the host for celebrity visiting and on-loan exhibits in every discipline. They range from archaeology to literary and visual arts of distinctive historical provenance. However, their permanent collections are also well worth the visit. Are you a history and anthropology lovers? A budding scientist? An aficionado of the natural world? You’ll find points of interest around every corner.
5. California Academy of Sciences
The modern world is shaped by the fruits of the Enlightenment.The practice of scientific inquiry touches every aspect of daily life. It creates an in-depth investigation into the nature of the world, the cosmos, and even the atoms that make up the fabric of everything. The California Academy of Sciences is the only museum on the planet to have:
- a planetarium
- an aquarium
- a natural history museum
- a four-story rainforest under glass
While the institution does offer free days to San Francisco residents, like the Field Museum, it isn’t technically free all year round. That said, visitors with a friend in the area should take advantage of the scheduled free admission because the natural world is an integral part of what makes America such a great nation.
There are many fantastic museums in the United States. This list offers a few of the great, free options available. It’s worth noting that there are many opportunities to enjoy free admission at the institutions not mentioned. Our history isn’t merely held on the printed page. It’s in the art and dress, the music and science, the food and fun of any era.
Free US history museums put these treasures within reach for all.
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