For Immediate Release
July 27, 2010

                                           New Developments In DC

Civil War 150th Anniversary
In 2011, America will mark the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War, and as the nation’s capital, DC will play a key role in the commemoration. Museums, cultural institutions and theaters throughout the city and region will observe the sesquicentennial with special exhibitions, offerings and events. The commemorative events began this spring with the first installment of a two-part exhibition at the National Archives (www.archives.gov) “Discovering the Civil War,” on display  thru Sept. 6, 2010. In it, the National Archives peels back 150 years of accumulated analysis, interpretation and opinion on the war through letters, diaries, photos, maps and petitions. Rather than using a traditional chronological display, the exhibition is arranged by intriguing themes such as, “Spies and Conspiracies,” “Prisoners and Casualties,” “Emancipation,” “Global War” and “Raising Armies.” The second part of the exhibition opens in November 2010. Additional programs are also planned at Ford's Theatre, the National Portrait Gallery, President Lincoln’s Cottage, National Museum of American History and other locations, as well as at major battlefield sites throughout the region. 

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater Coming this Fall
Opening in October 2010, the new Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater will boast some exciting upgrades for longtime fans and actors. Three theaters will serve as the architectural focal points, supported by state-of-the-art technology and spacious workspace for rehearsals, set design, construction and administrative services. The new Arena Stage will address audience needs as well. Ensconced in the design is a large, common lobby with a grand staircase that helps link all three theater spaces both visually and geographically. In addition, the new facility will feature a vastly increased number of restrooms in several locations; a single, efficient Box Office serving all audiences; readily available concessions and an onsite café; as well as easy access to all areas of the building for persons with disabilities. To further its mission of supporting American theater, Arena’s staff roster will include professional playwrights in residence, who will receive healthcare, housing, benefits and salaries.  For its inaugural production in the new space, Arena Stage will mount "Oklahoma!" (Oct. 22-Dec. 26). Later in the season, Arena will put on an Albee Festival, plus new productions like a stage adaptation of John Grisham’s “A Time to Kill.” www.arenastage.org

La Dolce DC Celebrates Italy in DC
From March 1-May 30, DC will celebrate its Italian connections with a cultural tourism promotion, La Dolce DC. Timed to coincide with the opening of an exclusive exhibition of Canaletto’s works at the National Gallery of Art and a staging of “The Merchant of Venice” at the Shakespeare Theatre Company, the promotion is also designed to showcase the ways that Italians have contributed to DC’s cultural fabric and grandeur. Some examples: The U.S. Capitol dome and its corridors are adorned by the frescos of Constantino Brumidi and the statues that anchor the Memorial Bridge were a gift from the people of Italy. Hotels and restaurants will also create packages and programs that tie into the celebration.

Inflatable Addition Planned for Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden
The Hirshhorn Museum is planning an eye-catching project aimed to affirm its commitment to enhancing public understanding of contemporary art. The plan is to have a nearly 145-ft tall inflatable structure sitting in the Hirshhorn’s courtyard, ballooning through the top of the building. It will be visible from all sides of the museum and will transform its public space into a seasonal auditorium, café and meeting place filled with activity. If the project continues to move forward, the first installation of the seasonal pavilion will be May 2011. www.hirshhorn.si.edu

Construction Begins on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial
In late October 2009, the National Capital Planning Commission gave final approval to a new security configuration, clearing the way for construction to begin on the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial. It will be the first major memorial along the National Mall to be dedicated to an African American, and to a non-president. The structure will commemorate the life and work of Dr. King, honoring his contributions to international world peace through non-violent social change. The design features include a crescent-shaped-stone wall inscribed with excerpts of Dr. King’s sermons and public addresses, as well as a 30-foot likeness of Dr. King as the centerpiece. The expected completion date is late 2011. www.mlkmemorial.org

Ford’s Theatre Education Center Under Development
Lincoln history buffs are eyeing the development of a new attraction across the street from Ford’s Theatre. Housed in an existing 10-story building, the Ford’s Theatre Education Center will span four stories, adding to the story of the fateful day with displays like a simulated Washington, DC street scene simulated to look like the day of his death and a simulated funeral train car. The center will also display artifacts like letters, a lock of Lincoln’s hair, the tools used to construct his coffin and the keys that were found in Booth’s pocket. The $60 million facility is slated to open in 2012.  www.fords.org

National Museum of African American History and Culture Coming in 2015
The Smithsonian Institution is developing its latest museum on the National Mall, the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The museum will be located between 14th and 15th Streets, adjacent to the Washington Monument and across from the National Museum of American History. While the museum’s content is currently under development, it will explore African American history on a national level, examining such topics as slavery, the Reconstruction, the Harlem Renaissance and the civil rights movement. The architectural team Freelon Adjaye Bond/SmithGroup will design the museum. http://nmaahc.si.edu/


Design Unveiled for Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial
The Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission recently unveiled a design concept by famed architect Frank Gehry for what will be DC’s newest presidential memorial. Slated to open in 2015, the site sits on four acres between Fourth and Sixth Streets SW. One of three options from Gehry, the selected plan features a central area set back from a number of 80-foot columns framed by large metal panels that will depict images of Eisenhower's life. The memorial will include a grove of oak trees and will form a contemplative and quiet area for discovering and reflecting on different aspects of the president’s life and administration. www.eisenhowermemorial.org