Trip to the Newseum!

How do you tour Washington DC, and NOT go to the museum? It's pretty complicated. Well, as much as I love challenges, that's one challenge my class and I definitely avoid. What is the Newseum, you ask? I'll let you in on that a little later. For the time being, I gotta question! How come I go on Metro Journeys but have never explained the DC Metro System? Hmmm? HMMMM? Well, no longer do you all have to live in ignorance for I, Jocelyn Richards, have the information to ALL....er....MOST.... er.... THIS specific subject matter!


I don't know if you have a metro system in your area, but the metro system in parts of MD, and VA, as well as all of Washington, DC is a form of public transportation consisting of buses and trains. Although this is the case, normally when people say "the metro" they are referring to the trains.  Only a baby, the metro system only opened in 1976 with only about four lines, 4.6 miles of track and 5 stops.  Interviews from a credible source, (aka thanks, mom) finds that even though the metro system was not as busy as it is today, she took advantage of it because it allowed her and her friends, who weren't able to drive at the time, to navigate throughout MD and DC much faster.  In addition, even when she was older and could drive, she took advantage of the metro because her job was right in DC, so it was not only convenient, but it saved gas money too!  Over the course of only 39 years, 4.6 miles turned into 117 miles, five stations turned into 91 stations, and only one line turned into now six; red, blue, orange, silver, green, and yellow.
Many metro stations were designed by Chicago architect, Mr. Harry Weese and model examples of late 20th century architecture, but the ceilings are an example of Washington DC's neoclassical architecture with its arching ceiling vaults.  As a matter of fact, it was voted number 106 on the "America's Favorite Architecture."
Over 19 million trips are taken via the metro per week, so you can find many different opinions and views from millions of people all going on their own unique journeys each day. You never know what you'll hear and find if you take the time and stop someone, so that is exactly what we did.  During the small interviews my class conducted with random metro riders, we encountered many different ideologies about the metro from people near and far.  Many people loved the convenience of the metro! One lady said since she would change how slippery the floors were. (hmm, never thought about that!) One man from New York mentioned that the metro trains were very easy and not crowded at all during rush hour, but another woman mentioned how she believed they were dangerously crowded during the metro rush hours.  According another man, he's always hated how you have to swipe twice to get in and out. In New York, you only have to swipe once. He thinks the extra swipe makes the exits more crowded.

Who would've thought people think about this, huh? Reporters should have a segment at the metro, don't you think? Maybe it'll be so legendary, it'll make it into the Newseum! AUH, AUH! See what I did there? The Newseum is an interactive museum full of everything news and journalism related. First located in Arlington, VA,its doors on Pennsylvania Ave. in 2008 and received, as well as are still receiving, outstanding reviews from millions of educators, media professionals, and hundreds of thousands of visitors worldwide. Consisting of 6 floors and 23 exhibits, the Newseum is definitely not a drop in museum.  Using a full five hours, my class and I explored and discovered the secrets the Newseum had to offer. After touring the 23 exhibits, it was hard choosing which exhibits were my favorite, but I did manage to make a top three.  










Number 3: The FBI Exhibit 

Model of Unabombers home 

Located in the ABC changing gallery, this exhibit is up until July 6, 2015.  With 200 artifacts, photographs, newspapers, and historic displays, this exhibit was extremely enthralling. It effectively displays the relationship between the FBI and news media. There's even a model of the house the "unabomber" lived in.










Number 2: NBC News Interactive Newsroom 
Here, you can become a reporter! This exhibit provides a hands-on way to become a news reporter.  We had so much fun here! We recorded many videos, and we even made up our own script instead of using the ones provided on the teleprompter. Victoria, Eliza-Jane, and I made LIVE coverage of our own MJ "right in front of the Newseum!"

Number 1: 9/11 Gallery Sponsored by Comcast 
This gallery explores the terrorist attack on the Twin Towers and Pentagon as well as the testimonies of journalists, who reported on the Nation's most tragic and remembered day in history.  


There's a touchscreen interactive where you can write messages that later are projected on a wall, so others can read! In the middle of the whole exhibit stands the top of the World Trade Center to remind everyone who visits that exhibit of the struggle America faced on September 11, 2001.

A note displayed on the wall! 

Just like the video "Elorilyn," the reporter, made for you, I encourage you to visit the museum in your free time. You will not be disappointed.  I've been to this museum twice before, and it still continues to enthrall me. It just doesn't get old. Although this MJ does seem like a short day compared to the others, it definitely was not. My class and I obtained so much information and had an awesome time! Well, until next time, my loyal readers!

because silly is who we are...