Podcast #191 - Suggestions and Tips for Visiting Washington DC during NECC 2009

Hello. Some of the listeners of this podcast will be heading to Washington DC at the end of June to attend NECC 2009. I have been fortunate to attend several NECC conferences in recent years but will not be attending - in person – this year. The current financial situation along with a desire to spend some time at home means I’ll be attending this year’s NECC virtually through a collection of podcasts, blog posts and tweets. Please post often if you are attending.

I must admit that I’m a little jealous since Washington DC is my favorite city to visit. I’ve been able to visit DC several times in the past couple of years and several listeners have e-mailed me questions about suggestions on what to do, where to stay, etc. I don’t consider myself an expert on DC in any manner but today’s podcast is a collection of suggestions and tips for visiting Washington DC – either for NECC 2009 or another trip.

Crystal City, Virginia Hotels

Smithsonian Museums in Washington DC

National Museum of the American Indian

Newseum

Lincoln Cottage

Ford’s Theatre

Alexandria, Virginia

Gadsby's Tavern in Alexandria

Alexandria Ghost Tour

If you have any suggestions for visiting DC - during NECC 2009 or any other time of year - please leave a comment on this blog for all to see and share. Thanks.

Direct link to Podcast #191 - Suggestions and Tips for Visiting Washington DC during NECC 2009

Podcast #190 - Review of "Our Documents" - Book and Website from the National Archives

Hello. Today's podcast is a review of a great book that every teacher should have in their classroom - "Our Documents : 100 Milestone Documents from the National Archives". This book should be in each history classroom in America and each school library. The book also has a companion website with additional resources for teachers and copies of all the material in the book.

You can purchase the book here and check out the website here. Both great resources for any American history teacher.

Direct link to Podcast #190 - Review of "Our Documents" - Book and Website from National Archives

Live Video Feed of Shuttle Launch

Hello. I am constantly blown away by the ability for us as teachers to connect to the rest of the world via video. Today I'm sitting in my classroom in Liberty, Missouri working on some random projects and on my computer in the background I'm watching a live video feed from UStream and NASA. If you are reading his on May 11, 2009 go and check out the link below to watch the launch live. I just watched them strap in the astronauts prior to lift off.

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/spacevidcast

Podcast #189 - Early Morning Walk to See Lincoln in DC

Hello. While I was in Washington DC earlier this week I took an early morning walk down the Mall to the Lincoln Memorial. It was peaceful and very few people were out yet. In today's podcast I discuss my walk to see Lincoln while sitting on the steps in front of the reflecting pool. I have added some pictures from my walk with this blog entry. If you would like to see more of my pictures please check out my Flickr set from the walk.

If you have any thoughts on this podcast please leave a comment on this blog or you can reach me directly at speakingofhistory@gmail.com Thanks.


Direct link to Podcast #189 - Early Morning Walk to See Lincoln in DC

Podcast #188 - Review of Trip to the Newseum in Washington DC

Hello. Earlier this week I visited the Newseum in Washington DC - a museum devoted to telling the story of how news is gathered and then shared with the public. It is one of the newer museums in DC and I really enjoyed it. This podcast is a review of my visit and I have included some pictures from the Newseum below. This podcast may be of interest to anyone who is planning to attend NECC 2009 this summer in Washington DC and is looking for something to do when not attending sessions.

If you have any comments or would like to add your experiences at the Newseum to the discussion, please post a comment to this blog post or e-mail directly at speakingofhistory@gmail.com

Direct link to Podcast #188 - Review of Trip to the Newseum in Washington DC