Although the public-service oriented elves who keep up the SPS blog took the day off yesterday (see Granger, H., Ethical Treatment of Elvish Employees), the St. Albans School of Public Service class of 2011 was as busy as ever on Saturday. In the morning, a group of motivated SPS students walked the mile to the National Zoo accompanied by RA Helen. In the afternoon, the entire group visited The Newseum, a museum that celebrates the history of newsgathering and the First Amendment. The Newseum's exhibits include eight sections from the Berlin Wall (see photo above: from left, John, Chelsea and Alexandra pose in front of a section from the Berlin Wall); the "Checkpoint Charlie" sign that marked the entrance to the American Sector in Cold War-era Berlin (see requisite photo below of Charlie A. in front of the eponymous sign); a great exhibit of 80 front pages from today's date from around the world; a terrific gallery of Pulitzer Prize winning photographs over the years with audio commentary from the photographers (see photo below); and a very fun 4D movie highlighting the exploits of under cover reporting pioneer Nellie Bly. (Bly was the pen-name for Elizabeth Jane Cochran. She was most famous for successfully feigning insanity and subsequently exposing the brutality and neglect of New York's Women's Lunatic Asylum.) The Newseum also has a fun interactive exhibit where visitors can try their hand at broadcasting the news or weather. This is one of our favorite SPS weekend activities every year and we highly recommend it for visitors to Washington D.C.!
(Above photo: Airton checks out the photography exhibits)
(Above photo: Akshat tries his hand at on air reporting!)
(Above photo: Charlie A. in front of an original "Checkpoint Charlie" sign)
