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Matthew P. Adams
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 Posted: Wed 25 Jun, 2014 9:39 am Post subject: Museums in DC area? |
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Any good arms or armor in Washington DC?
Thank you for any suggestions, did I remember a Native American museum that had a couple two handers?
"We do not rise to the level of our expectations. We fall to the level of our training" Archilochus, Greek Soldier, Poet, c. 650 BC
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Craig Johnson
Industry Professional
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Bill Grandy
myArmoury Team
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| Posted: Wed 25 Jun, 2014 10:45 am Post subject: |
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You're remembering correctly. The National Museum of the American Indian had a really good sword display... but they sadly recently took it down. To be fair, it was kind of silly that they had it in the first place. It didn't fit in with anything, and I'm fairly certain the Smithsonian was just trying to find a place to put the swords, and they used the opening of the NMAI as an excuse to get them out of the backrooms.
Here are some pics:
http://www.myArmoury.com/feature_visit_nmai.html
There was also the amazing Sutton Hoo find exhibit at the National Geographic Museum, as well as the Samurai exhibit... but again, both of those are recently gone.  The Folger once upon a time had swords and armor on loan from the Higgins, but I don't know what the status on that is, particularly now that the Higgins is closed. I suspect that is also gone.
Despite the bad timing for you to see historical arms and armor, DC still has a ton of excellent museums, and most of them are free. The National Gallery of Art has some excellent Renaissance paintings which happen to feature arms and armor illustrated from the period. And the Natural History Museum has some interesting arms and armor from primitive tribes, which is pretty interesting (and is also an amazing museum in its own right). So you'll have plenty to see. 
HistoricalHandcrafts.com
-Inspired by History, Crafted by Hand
"For practice is better than artfulness. Your exercise can do well without artfulness, but artfulness is not much good without the exercise.” -anonymous 15th century fencing master, MS 3227a
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Bill Grandy
myArmoury Team
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| Posted: Wed 25 Jun, 2014 10:46 am Post subject: |
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Whoops, Craig posted while I was typing.
HistoricalHandcrafts.com
-Inspired by History, Crafted by Hand
"For practice is better than artfulness. Your exercise can do well without artfulness, but artfulness is not much good without the exercise.” -anonymous 15th century fencing master, MS 3227a
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James Arlen Gillaspie
Industry Professional
Location: upstate NY Joined: 10 Nov 2005
Posts: 587
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| Posted: Fri 27 Jun, 2014 12:26 pm Post subject: |
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The Walters Art Museum is an hour away in Baltimore, and has some interesting stuff, worth seeing.
jamesarlen.com
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Matthew P. Adams
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| Posted: Fri 27 Jun, 2014 1:58 pm Post subject: |
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Seems like most of the good stuff has been moved or mothballed. Thanks for the responses, I know there is a ton of stuff in DC I just figured there would be something for HEMA interested folk.
"We do not rise to the level of our expectations. We fall to the level of our training" Archilochus, Greek Soldier, Poet, c. 650 BC
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Allen W
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| Posted: Fri 27 Jun, 2014 6:11 pm Post subject: |
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For a day trip hit Jamestown. Several years ago they had a very nice loner collection from the Met.
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David Lewis Smith
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| Posted: Sun 29 Jun, 2014 6:29 pm Post subject: |
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Of all the museums the American Indian Museum has a fine collection of swords, and in the Islamic section of the smithsonian there are some other examples.
David L Smith
MSG (RET)
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This is a standard topic