During Summer 2018, Yale History Professor Steve Pitti taught “American History in National Museums”, an introduction to select topics in U.S. history that encouraged critical, informed analysis on how those topics are currently represented by the Smithsonian. The course focused on the 20th century United States, on the development of the Smithsonian as an institution, and on research and interpretive practices used by museum curators. Enrolled students analyzed how museums in Washington, D.C. present national history to a diverse public and the course included a three-day trip to Washington to visit the National Museum of American History and the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
