Hum, weird. The layout of the blog writer thingy is different, so forgive me if this ends up looking weird. Anyway, our computers are finally networked and I can successfully access (and post!) pictures of our last several museum outings and finally, FINALLY, get caught up! I might take this opportunity to just blow through these, rather than describe all the nitty, gritty details, so I apologize in advance for my brevity. I will, however, make sure I include all the important things - like how to actually get inside the Artisphere! Not an easy feat.
Let us begin...
Parking at the Artisphere is free on weekdays after 5pm and all day on weekends. If you take the metro, you can just enter the building through the main entrance on Wilson Blvd. between Lynn St. and Kent St. If you're driving, you'll want to park in the garage, entering from Kent St. BUT...make sure you get there by turning onto Kent St. from Wilson Blvd. If you try to access the garage from 19th Street, Kent St. becomes one-way (in the wrong direction) right before you get to the garage, and you'll have to turn around, and circle back to Wilson. Anyway, I did that, in the rain, and it wasn't fun. Lesson learned. Once inside the garage, follow the signs for Artisphere parking and look for the elevator lobbies, the follow the directions for how to get to the Artisphere. Once you're out of the elevator, you'll be in the office building's main lobby. You'll need to go up one level to access the Artisphere's main entrance. So...if you have your stroller, go outside and take the ramp, or, if you're feeling adventurous, take the scary, manually-operated "lift" between the elevators and the stairs up to the Artisphere entrance. It's hard to describe, but if you see it and use it, you'll know what I mean by scary. We took it up, but we took the ramp down. Now, or before you leave, stop by the main desk to get your parking validation.
Our museum-going pals, Rachel and Max, and Ian (Rachel's husband and Max's dad), met us to see the exhibition Frida Kahlo: Her Photos before it's last day. We went on the second to last day. Yea! It was actually really impressive, if a bit text heavy, but I guess that was sort of the point. You wouldn't necessarily understand why certain photographs were significant unless you read the text or somehow had the uncanny ability to identify the people and places in the images on your own.
After spending a good bit of time in the exhibition, we explored the rest of the museum and gallery space, taking a breather for some Mum Mums and crawling. There's a good amount of temporary and more permanent installations, including the Bio Wall (or some such title), which Diggory may or may not have taken a bite of. The Artisphere also has a full calendar of public events covering many genres - visual arts, dance, film, theatre, music, etc. We stumbled upon a kids art camp while we were there, something I think Diggory will (hopefully) find really cool in a couple of years.
This was my first visit to the Artisphere, and given what I saw, I'll definitely come back. I suppose the caveat here is that I'll need to be drawn to something specific. The Frida Kahlo exhibition was a pretty big deal and drew greater than the usual number of visitors. I guess they're in a bit of a financial bind, unfortunately, so we'll see what the future holds.
Just two days later, we joined several other museum mommas and their babies at Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon. I'm not kidding - five babies and five mommas who all currently or used to work in historic house museums. There must have been something in the water. We decided to meet up at the Visitor's Center first. There are two entrances to the park - one closer to Centreville Road and the other closer to the Fairfax County Parkway. If you arrive via the Fairfax County Parkway, you'll encounter the Visitor's Center entrance first. Modern bathrooms with changing tables are a big draw. There's also a small exhibition about the history of the park and farm life in Fairfax County. At first, I was wondering if I could count this outing as a "blog outing," but when I saw interpretive panels, I knew it was a sure thing.
Look! More interpretive panels inside the Cider Press Barn! (See below.) There was also a display of farm equipment - also cleverly and thoroughly described on panels. My father would be pleased with the quantity of John Deere tractors and implements.
After exploring the Visitor's Center, take the long gravel path toward the other barns and out buildings. There are cows, horses, sheep, goats, chickens, a turkey, pigs, rabbits, and a peacock. I may be forgetting something, but the point is that there's no shortage of adorable animals. And speaking of adorable, there are lots of BABY animals! Check out the 2012 birthing schedule here.
Here is the long path to the animals - with farm equipment displays on the right.
Here are the mommas and babies with a momma and baby cow.
Here's Diggory with a litter of baby piglets! Too cute!
After exploring all the animals, we took a break for snacks in the grassy lawn between the barns and the gift shop and carousel. Diggory's still too little for a carousel ride, so I guess I'll just have to wait a few years for that photo opp. I really enjoyed our visit, and we'll definitely be back. In fact, Spring Farm Day is Saturday, May 12th from 10am to 3pm. Something to definitely pencil in.
So, I think we're pretty much caught up now. And, to go one step further, here are a few notes on our recent visit to Anderson House, the headquarters of The Society of the Cincinnati. Full disclosure: I used to work here. We didn't actually take the tour, but I can certainly give you the basics and tell you about the bathrooms. I was actually planning to write up the Anderson House when they launch their new fancy pants website, but I just couldn't wait. (I hear the new website will launch May 10th, though, so I guess I'm not so far off. Check it out when it's up!) Diggory and I came for the Lunch Bite object chat given by Whitney Robertson (who holds my old job as museum collections manager) on Larz Anderson's diplomatic uniform. (We also came to have lunch with our friends afterward!)
Anderson House is one of the hidden gems of Washington, D.C., though they certainly wish they were better known - but they're getting more well known all the time! It's right on Embassy Row (Massachusetts Ave., NW) in Dupont Circle, across the street from the Gandhi statue and right next to the Fairfax Hotel. It's the house with the bronze statue of George Washington on the front lawn. I won't give you my speech on the founding of the Society and the history of Anderson House - you're perfectly capable of reading the extensive info. on their website.
Suffice it to say, that the house is open to the public for guided tours from 1-4pm, Tuesday through Saturday. There's a whole host of public programs, during the day or in the evenings, on the weekends and during the week. There aren't many programs for kids specifically, but plenty to look at inside the house for sure. Also, check out what temporary exhibition is on view when you go. The only other details I'll mention here are that there's no changing tables - something I may need to discuss with my former colleagues. The handicap accessible restroom on the main floor is large enough for a stroller and you could certainly change a diaper on the floor. We've all had to do that from time to time. The ladies room on the left side of the great staircase isn't stroller accessible, but there is plenty of open counter space if you need it. Sorry, I haven't been in the men's room since checking for stragglers during the last rental event I worked before locking up, so I can't adequately comment on the baby-friendliness of those facilities. Also, there is a ramp to enter the building, but I've found it just as easy to bump the stroller up the five inch step to the front door. The door is locked, so if someone doesn't immediately open the door for you, you may need to ring the bell to get in. Push the big white plastic square, not the historic looking doorbell button. There's also an elevator to move between the first floor and the second floor (the only floor open to the public), which your docent will help you operate. I will say, however, that it will probably be easier to strap your babe into a carrier and walk. Plus, traversing the great staircase is a thrill - and you won't want to miss out.
Whew! That's all for now. I'm hoping to make it to the Phillips Collection next week before the Snapshot exhibition closes. No, I'm not hoping, I WILL DO IT. I WILL. I WILL!
