"Investigating Where We Live" Exhibit Opening

You're invited! The IWWL exhibit opening is July 24th, 6:30-8:30pm — You’re invited! The Investigating Where We Live, 2015 edition exhibit opening is July 24th, 6:30-8:30pm

For the third year running, the Historical Society of Washington, D.C. collaborated with the National Building Museum’s Investigating Where We Live (IWWL) program; after five weeks of research and exploration, the program’s culminating product – a year-long exhibit curated, designed and installed by local teens – opens with a reception Friday evening July 24th at the NBM.

This year participants explored the District through the lens of its monuments, memorials, and commemorative spaces. Staff conducted several research sessions in the Kiplinger Research Library before the students joined in, grounding the entire program in historical research. Students visits included hands-on investigation with primary sources; behind-the-scenes exhibit experience, using For the Record: Artfully Historic D.C. as a laboratory; and explored concepts of photography as both art and as a documentary resource.

Following the opening reception, “Investigating Where We Live: New Monuments Revealed” runs July 25, 2015 through June 5, 2016.

Participants in the IWWL program used images from the Historical Society's permanent collection to explore the dual nature of photography as both documentary and art. — Participants in the IWWL program used new additions to the Historical Society’s permanent collection to explore the dual nature of photography as both documentary and art.

The teens took on roles of curator, art handler and exhibit copy writer as they critiqued layout and exhibition copy from For the Record: Artfully Historic D.C. — The teens took on roles of curator, art handler and exhibit copy writer as they critiqued layout design and exhibition copy from For the Record: Artfully Historic D.C.

Intern Susan Philpott walks IWWL participants through the process of identifying and requesting archival material for research.

Hands-on access to primary sources is a critical part of the exhibit design process. — Hands-on access to primary sources is a critical part of the exhibit research and design process.

For the third year running, the Historical Society collaborated with the National Building Museum's Investigating Where We Live program. The IWWL exhibit at the NBM opens July 24th. — For the third year running, the Historical Society collaborated with the National Building Museum’s Investigating Where We Live program. The IWWL exhibit at the NBM opens July 24th.

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