Museum Tour (Essay Sample)

Museum Tour Student’s Name Affiliation Course Instructor’s Name Due Date Museum Tour I decided to explore two intriguing museum exhibits at the Sojourner Truth National Women’s History Museum in Washington, DC, for my Museum Tour. These two exhibits present a compelling historical narrative, exploring different facets of women’s contributions to society and culture. “Fashioning Yourself! A Story of Home Sewing” is the first exhibit. It delves into the historical evolution of home sewing and its profound influence on women's self-expression and creativity in fashion (Sojourner Truth, 2019). It caught my attention with its rich display of artifacts that narrate the transformation of sewing from a necessity to an avenue for artistic expression. Particularly fascinating was how technological advancements in sewing tools facilitated this shift and played a pivotal role in shaping modern fashion. Making Embroidery (Feb 1910) by Lewis Wickes Hine is a poignant photograph that captures a mother and daughter engaged in embroidery, illustrating the intimate and communal aspects of sewing in the early 20th century. The exhibit uses this artifact to highlight the role of women in home sewing since the early 20th century, and sewing was primarily a female activity. Thus, women were expected to have sewing and embroidery skills, essential for home and family maintenance. Secondly, Godey’s Lady’s Book Fashion Plate (Mar 1864), a fashion plate artifact from the influential women’s magazine, highlights the role of media in democratizing fashion. Through this artifact, the exhibit illustrates the intersection of fashion, domesticity, and women's empowerment, offering a glimpse into the cultural and social aspects of home sewing in the 19th century (Sojourner Truth, 2019). “Legislating History: 100 Years of Women in Congress” is the second exhibit that presents a century of women’s participation in the U.S. Congress. This exhibit is mainly used to portray the struggles and successes of women within this profession, which men mostly dominated. These women's lives were informative and motivational, as narrated through photographs, personal letters, and legislative documents. “Photographs and Personal Letters of the First Women in Congress” are personal artifacts that provide a glimpse into the early experiences and challenges faced by women in Congress, showing their determination and resilience. Through this artifact, the exhibit provides a personal and intimate insight into the lives and experiences of the pioneering women in Congress (Legislating History, n.d.). Highlighting the legislative impact of women in Congress, the artifact “Legislative Documents and Bills” highlights diverse areas where women have made evident contributions, from social reform to economic policies. The exhibit calls on these artifacts, stressing their importance in pursuing women’s rights and increasing women’s presence in Congress over the past hundred years. These artifacts provide an essential background on terrific actions, like the signing of enabling legislation on women’s suffrage, equal rights, and other factors. The exhibit “Le...