Futures and Past

Today started with a visit to the National Archives to see the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.  No photographs allowed.  The documents are located in the Rotunda of the National Archives with some very interesting background and the need for their development.  Also some references to some of the women and African-Americans who played a role in the creation of the nation.

On then to the Hirshhorn Museum with some modern works - see first extra by Laurie Anderson - and some other fascinating giant displays by Mark Bradford.  There was also an exhibition on Marcel Duchamp (he of urinal and of moustachioed Mona Lisa fame).

We then went to the "Futures" exhibition at the Smithsonian Art and Buildings Museum.  Again some very interesting concepts on display both historical and looking to the future.  The main blip is of a display that, when the "eye" turned green you were meant to voice in one word what you thought your future would be like.  Details will be collated anonymously.  One interesting exhibit - second extra - was the computer source code for manual for the Apollo guidance system for the first moon landing in 1969 - developed by Margaret Hamilton (pictured) and her team.  

To end the day we walked a block to sit outside at an Italian restaurant as the sun set, the temperature having been a lovely 23+oC today.