Museum of Us

07/29/2021

🚨 Intern Takeover Alert! 🚨 Today, Laura Rosado (she/her/ella) is taking over our Instagram story to introduce herself and her work to you! Like Jacob and Shahad, Laura is one of our three talented Smithsonian Affiliations Digital Learning & Engagement Interns who have been working in our Decolonizing Initiatives Department at the Museum of Us.

Learn more about Laura and what she is doing at the Museum of Us, and head over to our Instagram story (@museumofallofus) to start asking questions for her to answer.

#SmithsonianAffiliate #InternTakeover #MuseumofUs

07/27/2021

Meet Cudi! Cudi is a Service Animal that sometimes comes to work with his human here at the Museum of Us.

The American with Disabilities Act (ADA), defines a Service Animal as:


“Dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Examples include guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, reminding a person with mental illness to take prescribed medication, calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety attack, or performing other duties. Service animals are working animals, not pets. The work or task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA.”

Service Animals have public access rights, but Emotional Support Animals do not. If it is not obvious the dog is a service animal, staff at a business or institution are permitted to ask a person with a Service Dog two questions:

1. Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?
2. What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?

It is important to remember that not all disabilities are visible, and it is not appropriate to ask a person about their disability or why they have a service dog. It is illegal for a business to ask what the person’s disability is.


Some best practices when interacting with a person with a service dog include:

🦮 Speak to the person, not the dog.
🐕‍🦺 Do not distract a service dog in any way, let the dog focus on their person.
🦮 Give them space.

🐕‍🦺 Do not take photos

For more information, visit ADA.gov or you can call 800-514-0301 (Voice) and 800-514-0383 (TTY).

#MuseumofUs #DisabilityPrideMonth #ServiceDog #LivingWithAnimals


[ID: A black and tan corgi wearing a blue vest with patches that say do not pet and give us space patches sits on the steps in front of the Museum of Us sign.]

Meet Cudi! Cudi is a Service Animal that sometimes comes to work with his human here at the Museum of Us.

The American with Disabilities Act (ADA), defines a Service Animal as:


“Dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Examples include guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, reminding a person with mental illness to take prescribed medication, calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety attack, or performing other duties. Service animals are working animals, not pets. The work or task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA.”

Service Animals have public access rights, but Emotional Support Animals do not. If it is not obvious the dog is a service animal, staff at a business or institution are permitted to ask a person with a Service Dog two questions:

1. Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?
2. What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?

It is important to remember that not all disabilities are visible, and it is not appropriate to ask a person about their disability or why they have a service dog. It is illegal for a business to ask what the person’s disability is.


Some best practices when interacting with a person with a service dog include:

🦮 Speak to the person, not the dog.
🐕‍🦺 Do not distract a service dog in any way, let the dog focus on their person.
🦮 Give them space.

🐕‍🦺 Do not take photos

For more information, visit ADA.gov or you can call 800-514-0301 (Voice) and 800-514-0383 (TTY).

#MuseumofUs #DisabilityPrideMonth #ServiceDog #LivingWithAnimals


[ID: A black and tan corgi wearing a blue vest with patches that say do not pet and give us space patches sits on the steps in front of the Museum of Us sign.]

07/26/2021

🚨 Intern Takeover Alert! 🚨Tomorrow, Shahad Salman (she/her) will be taking over our Instagram story to introduce herself and her work to you! Like Jacob, Shahad is one of our three talented Smithsonian Affiliates Digital Learning & Engagement Interns who have been working in our Decolonizing Initiatives Department at the Museum of Us.

Learn more about Shahad and what she is doing at the Museum of Us, and head over to our Instagram story (@museumofallofus) to start asking questions for her to answer tomorrow (Tuesday, July 27th)!

#SmithsonianAffiliate #InternTakeover #MuseumofUs

07/25/2021

Meet Melanie. She is much more than meets the eye: College basketball fan. Concert-goer. Community volunteer.

Melanie is more than one thing, and you are too. Get to know Melanie while exploring your own identity with “Boxhibits,” on sale now in the Museum of Us online store: museumofus.org/shop/

Includes year-long membership to the Museum of Us. Available for shipping worldwide, or for pickup in the lobby (Wednesday - Sunday). #IAmMoreThanOneThing #MuseumofUs #Boxhibits

Meet Melanie. She is much more than meets the eye: College basketball fan. Concert-goer. Community volunteer.

Melanie is more than one thing, and you are too. Get to know Melanie while exploring your own identity with “Boxhibits,” on sale now in the Museum of Us online store: museumofus.org/shop/

Includes year-long membership to the Museum of Us. Available for shipping worldwide, or for pickup in the lobby (Wednesday - Sunday). #IAmMoreThanOneThing #MuseumofUs #Boxhibits

07/23/2021

At least 163 out LGBTQ athletes at the Tokyo Olympics, a record by far

#PrideMonth continues in San Diego as the Summer Olympic Games begin. Meet the 163 openly LGBTQ+ athletes who will be competing in the Tokyo Summer Olympics.

#Pride2021 #PrideMonth2021 #TokyoOlympics #Tokyo2020

There will be more out LGBTQ athletes in Tokyo than all the previous Summer Olympics combined. Here’s the list.

07/22/2021

🚨 Intern Takeover Alert! 🚨 Tomorrow, Jacob Pribilsky (he/him) will be taking over our Instagram stories to introduce himself and his work to you! Jacob is one of our three talented Smithsonian Affiliations Digital Learning & Engagement Interns who have been working in our Decolonizing Initiatives Department at the Museum of Us.

Learn more about Jacob and what he is doing at the Museum of Us, and head over to our Instagram story (@museumofallofus) to start asking questions for him to answer tomorrow (Friday, July 23rd)!

#SmithsonianAffiliate #InternTakeOver #MuseumofUs

07/21/2021

Come join “Us!” The Museum of Us is now hiring. Visit the link below to learn more about these full-time positions’ responsibilities, qualifications, and benefits – including hourly pay rates and annual salaries.

museumofus.org/employment

Join a team that aims to be part of the solution. Our hiring practices are rooted in an approach driven by a focus on equitability and sustainability. #WhatMakesUs #MuseumofUs

Come join “Us!” The Museum of Us is now hiring. Visit the link below to learn more about these full-time positions’ responsibilities, qualifications, and benefits – including hourly pay rates and annual salaries.

museumofus.org/employment

Join a team that aims to be part of the solution. Our hiring practices are rooted in an approach driven by a focus on equitability and sustainability. #WhatMakesUs #MuseumofUs

07/20/2021

Introducing "Boxhibit: Identity" - Available Now!

What makes you, you? With the new “Identity” Boxhibit, you can explore the evolution and complexities of your identity while meeting new people along the way. Enjoy wearable art from local artist Mary Juhn, while creating your own art to share!

“Boxhibits” are on sale now in the Museum of Us online store for $50.00, and includes year-long membership! Order yours now, available for shipping worldwide or local pickup: www.museumofus.org/shop/

#IAmMoreThanOneThing

07/16/2021

We asked, you answered. Now, you can bring the visually rich and thought-provoking content of the Museum of Us right to your home with our latest, interactive product: Boxhibits!

Available now for $50.00 in our online store - includes year-long membership to the Museum of Us. Available for shipping worldwide, or local pickup: museumofus.org/shop/

#IAmMoreThanOneThing

07/12/2021

July is #DisabilityPrideMonth! It is a time to honor each person's uniqueness and accept disabilities as a natural part of human diversity. It is also a time to push back against systemic ableism and the stigmatization of people with disabilities.

In this article, Easterseals breaks down some common myths about living with disabilities: https://bit.ly/3wBaCbR

July is #DisabilityPrideMonth! It is a time to honor each person's uniqueness and accept disabilities as a natural part of human diversity. It is also a time to push back against systemic ableism and the stigmatization of people with disabilities.

In this article, Easterseals breaks down some common myths about living with disabilities: https://bit.ly/3wBaCbR

07/11/2021

Have you visited the Museum of Us since we’ve reopened? In the Museum’s rotunda, you can explore a timeline of the evolution of the Museum’s name, and view the historic wooden sign that welcomed visitors for decades!

Visit museumofus.org/allaboutus/ to learn more about the installation that is on view now, both digitally and in the Museum.

Have you visited the Museum of Us since we’ve reopened? In the Museum’s rotunda, you can explore a timeline of the evolution of the Museum’s name, and view the historic wooden sign that welcomed visitors for decades!

Visit museumofus.org/allaboutus/ to learn more about the installation that is on view now, both digitally and in the Museum.

07/10/2021

Did you know scientists are unable to determine a person’s race by looking at their DNA? Although DNA can help trace geographic ancestry, there are no qualitative genetic differences between perceived races! That means us humans are more genetically similar than different.

📚 Source: understandingrace.org

Did you know scientists are unable to determine a person’s race by looking at their DNA? Although DNA can help trace geographic ancestry, there are no qualitative genetic differences between perceived races! That means us humans are more genetically similar than different.

📚 Source: understandingrace.org

07/08/2021

Balboa Park is bringing you education and entertainment all summer long! ☀️

Share your love for Balboa Park for a chance to win fun prizes by using the hashtag #MyBalboaPark. Visit mybalboapark.org to learn more about the categories you can participate in, including #ForThePeople and #AllintheFamily, and view the exciting prizes available!

📸 Image by @kid.friendly.fun on Instagram

Balboa Park is bringing you education and entertainment all summer long! ☀️

Share your love for Balboa Park for a chance to win fun prizes by using the hashtag #MyBalboaPark. Visit mybalboapark.org to learn more about the categories you can participate in, including #ForThePeople and #AllintheFamily, and view the exciting prizes available!

📸 Image by @kid.friendly.fun on Instagram

07/06/2021

For a Major Debut, a Young Violinist Gets Personal

Not only is Randall Goosby a talented young violinist, but he is also an advocate for diversity in classical music. Meet the barrier-breaking artist and his debut album "Roots," a celebration of the music of Black composers as well as those inspired by African American culture.

Randall Goosby’s first album, “Roots,” is a survey of music by Black composers that includes several premiere recordings.

07/03/2021

As a reminder, the Museum of Us will be open this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. We continue to require the use of masks during your visit. We are closed regularly on Mondays & Tuesdays, and will also be closed on Wednesday, July 7th.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation in keeping the Museum of Us safe and open for all! Book your tickets online in advance: https://bit.ly/3wUAK2f

As a reminder, the Museum of Us will be open this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. We continue to require the use of masks during your visit. We are closed regularly on Mondays & Tuesdays, and will also be closed on Wednesday, July 7th.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation in keeping the Museum of Us safe and open for all! Book your tickets online in advance: https://bit.ly/3wUAK2f

07/02/2021

Welcome to Episode 2 'Culture of Repair' Series with Brandie Macdonald (Chikasaw Nation/Choctaw Nation, she/her/they), Director of Decolonizing Initiatives at the Museum of Us, which resides on the unceded ancestral homeland of Kumeyaay peoples...

Director of Decolonizing Initiatives Brandie Macdonald joins PilialohaNow for a thought-provoking conversation on our shared past, present, and future. Tune in! 🎙

Be inspired by her transformative anti-colonial/decolonial theory and practice in museums which centers around truth-telling, accountability, and actionable change to redress colonial impact, structural racism, and inequity.

06/30/2021

Museum of Us updated their business hours.

Museum of Us updated their business hours.

06/30/2021

Sending a big thank you to the Nissan Foundation for awarding the Museum of Us a grant to fund virtual race workshops offered to high school and community college students throughout San Diego County!

Through these workshops, students will learn about the history of race, how science was used to create laws and societal norms that enforced racial discrimination, and how to become anti-racists in their communities.

The Museum of Us is one of 28 nonprofit organizations awarded funding from the Nissan Foundation in support of unique cultural and racial diversity programming. You can learn more about the Nissan Foundation and other 2021 grantees at: nissanusa.com/about/community-relations.html

Sending a big thank you to the Nissan Foundation for awarding the Museum of Us a grant to fund virtual race workshops offered to high school and community college students throughout San Diego County!

Through these workshops, students will learn about the history of race, how science was used to create laws and societal norms that enforced racial discrimination, and how to become anti-racists in their communities.

The Museum of Us is one of 28 nonprofit organizations awarded funding from the Nissan Foundation in support of unique cultural and racial diversity programming. You can learn more about the Nissan Foundation and other 2021 grantees at: nissanusa.com/about/community-relations.html

06/26/2021

Six years ago today, the U.S. Supreme Court decided that #LoveWins, legalizing same-s*x marriage in all fifty states. Six years later, we celebrate this momentous day in LGBTQ+ and American history and call for a passing of the #EqualityAct - federal legislation that would prohibit discrimination on the basis of s*x, s*xual orientation and gender identity.

Six years ago today, the U.S. Supreme Court decided that #LoveWins, legalizing same-s*x marriage in all fifty states. Six years later, we celebrate this momentous day in LGBTQ+ and American history and call for a passing of the #EqualityAct - federal legislation that would prohibit discrimination on the basis of s*x, s*xual orientation and gender identity.

06/25/2021

Real secrets, shared publicly. 💌

Our PostSecret exhibit is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00am to 5:00pm! Visit museumofus.org/tickets to plan your visit.

Real secrets, shared publicly. 💌

Our PostSecret exhibit is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00am to 5:00pm! Visit museumofus.org/tickets to plan your visit.

06/24/2021

History of Residential Schools

“The residential school system was just one tool in a broader plan of ‘aggressive assimilation’ and colonization of Indigenous Peoples and territories in Canada.” - Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada.

Learn the history of Canada’s Residential Schools, as told by “Indigenous perspectives much older than the nation itself."

Residential schools operated in Canada for more than 160 years, with upwards of 150,000 children passing through their doors. Every province and territory, with the exception of Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and New Brunswick, was home to the federally funded, church-run schools. The last schoo...