Although the federal government shutdown has started, the Smithsonian museums will remain open at least through Monday, October 6. Despite the media’s attention on 12:01 am on October 1, shutdowns don’t happen immediately because stopping a huge bureaucracy takes time, plus each agency has to determine who will be furloughed and who is essential—that’s why air traffic controllers keep working at airports but not educators at museums. Secondly, agencies can use private funds to continue operating, which is why the Smithsonian can keep the doors open a few more days.

I was fortunate to visit the National Museum of American History on September 30 with my “Interpreting Historic Sites and House Museums” course at George Washington University. For a couple of hours, my students analyzed the interpretation in two exhibitions that included historic buildings: Food (featuring Julia Child’s kitchen) and Within These Walls (featuring the 1750s Ipswich House, the largest object in the collection). They did a terrific job uncovering topics and themes, discussing how women are represented, and the assessing the use of objects.

Afterwards, as a bonus, curator Steve Velasquez gave my students a tour of the newest exhibition, Corazón y Vida: Lowriding Culture, which opened the previous week. Featuring two amazing cars (one from my former hometown of Upland, California), it explores the communities of owners, artists, clubs, and admirers of this unique car-making tradition. Director Anthea Hartig stopped by to meet my students, which made the experience extra special.

Because this exhibition may not be seen by many people due to the shutdown, I’m sharing lots of images to give you a sense of what’s on display at the Smithsonian. It will also travel as part of SITEs, so you may see a version in Anaheim, CA; Port Hueneme, CA; Farmington, NM; Tucson, AZ; Fresno, CA; Overland Park, KS; and Scottsdale, AZ. Enjoy!