Today we visited the Museum of the Palestinian People, a small but deeply moving museum just off 18th Street NW in Washington, DC. From the moment we entered, it was clear this space was thoughtfully curated to offer a rich and personal portrayal of Palestinian culture, history, and identity—something rarely given such a platform in the United States.
We joined a guided tour, which added a great deal of depth to the experience. Our guide was passionate and knowledgeable, walking us through the permanent exhibits with a focus on how the Palestinian story is told through art, artifacts, oral histories, and personal narratives. The tour began with ancient history and moved through centuries of cultural contribution, touching on language, architecture, and agricultural traditions.
We then moved into the more modern sections, where the exhibits shift in tone to reflect the colonial period, displacement, and resistance. The tour also highlighted the contemporary contributions of Palestinians around the world in art, science, and activism. There were pieces by Palestinian-American artists, poetry installations, and even interactive digital exhibits where we could listen to personal testimonies. It felt like a living, breathing record of a people who have managed to preserve their culture and humanity despite ongoing struggle.
One section focused on diaspora communities and how they continue to engage with and express their identity in exile.
What made this museum stand out was not just the historical content, but the sense of dignity and resilience that ran through every exhibit. The tone was not angry or didactic, but determined and humanizing. It was a powerful reminder that history is not only written in textbooks but lives in people’s stories.
Visiting the Museum of the Palestinian People was both an educational and emotional experience. It left us with a deeper appreciation for a culture often misunderstood or misrepresented. More than anything, it made me want to listen more—to stories, voices, and histories we don’t always hear.
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A Day at MASS MoCA
We spent the day exploring the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA) in North Adams, and it was one of the most memorable art experiences we’ve had. Housed in a sprawling complex of 19th-century factory buildings, the museum’s massive spaces are the perfect backdrop for large-scale and immersive works. Every turn seemed to reveal
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Exploring Albany’s Past: Schuyler Mansion & The Irish American Heritage Museum
Our Albany explorations continued with a day focused on history—both Revolutionary and immigrant. We began at the Schuyler Mansion, the grand home of Philip Schuyler, a Revolutionary War general, U.S. senator, and father-in-law to Alexander Hamilton. Set on a rise above the Hudson River, the mansion immediately impressed with its stately brick façade and sweeping
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A Day of Art and History: Norman Rockwell Museum & Hancock Shaker Village
We set out for a day that blended art with history, beginning at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. The museum is home to an extensive collection of Rockwell’s work, and while his style is undeniably iconic, we both felt it was a little one-note—charming in its nostalgic depictions of American life, but also