Living museums bring static history to life

This is the time of year when thousands of tourists descend upon Washington, D.C., to see the capital’s great monuments and museums, including the National Gallery of Art and an array of Smithsonian museums.

These are what might be called “static” museums. You walk in, see the pioneer Wright Brothers plane hanging from the ceiling or a great Vermeer painting, or a display of American Indian artifacts.

You look at them, maybe read a placard, or perhaps wear a headset in which a narrator gives you more background about what you’re seeing.

 But in today’s world of spectacular theme parks and dazzling electronic diversions...

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