the memory palace A Teach-In for History
Oct 23, 2025
Dive into a nighttime stroll along the National Mall, where history whispers from every monument. Discover how visits to the Lincoln Memorial evoke the legacies of Marian Anderson and MLK. Unearth the tangled stories behind artifacts in Smithsonian museums that reflect America's messy past. Hear about the looming political threats to these institutions and their truths. Get inspired by an upcoming teach-in to defend history and museums from erasure—where the past meets the present in a call to action.
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First Night On The National Mall
- Nate DeMeo describes a 1993 cross-country drive that ends with a nighttime walk on the National Mall with his friend Jen.
- He remembers sitting on the Lincoln Memorial steps, feeling the place's history and freedom firsthand.
The Mall As Living History
- Nate realizes the National Mall itself is historical, embodying events and moments like Marian Anderson's concert and MLK's speech.
- He sees the Mall as a living, public place where Americans can access shared memory for free.
Museum Overwhelm On A Silk Road Day
- Nate recounts returning to the Mall in 2002 with a friend and visiting Smithsonian museums during a Silk Road festival.
- He describes feeling overwhelmed by the mix of artifacts and the museums' chaotic, contradictory nature.