New Exhibition on View at Museum House

The Greenbelt Museum is primarily a 20th century historic site and United States history from 1776 is amply covered in a variety of places (nor do we happen to have any muskets in the collection!). So we thought one way to acknowledge the country's 250th anniversary would be to look back on the 200th. What was life like in 1976, both in Greenbelt and nationally? The Vietnam war had ended a few years earlier. President Gerald Ford was in the White House, but Jimmy Carter would be elected in November of '76. Gas was 60 cents a gallon. Much of the nation was buoyantly celebrating its birthday, but many in the U.S. were also fighting fiercely for their rights. What has changed in the country since then? What remains the same?

We hope you'll plan a visit to the Museum house at 10B Crescent on an upcoming Sunday to explore the artifacts we have on display, from a Time magazine that declares "Crisis in the MIddle East," in bold letters on its cover to a 1976 Muppet calendar complete with drawings of the beloved puppets crossing the Delaware River. Learn about Native American protests, the first African American to speak at the Democratic Convention, as well as civil rights efforts by African Americans, women, LGBTQIA+ people, and those with disabilities. And if none of that is of particular interest, just come by to see some groovy 1970s clothing! Polyester, anyone? 

The exhibit will be on view Sundays from 1pm to 5pm through November 22. Admission is free! If you have memories or photos of how Greenbelt celebrated the bicentennial we would love to hear from you! Email info@greenbeltmuseum.org. Sponsored by the Friends of the Greenbelt Museum, the Greenbelt Recreation Department and the City of Greenbelt. 

Images to the right are Alex Haley's groundbreaking book, Roots: The Saga of an American Family, a Time magazine, outfits that capture the bicentennial spirit, and a 1976 Muppet calendar.