NMAH Website: Then and Now

The Smithsonian is a prominent name in preserving history so it makes complete sense that its website would be clear and concise. As someone who frequents their websites, I find them all easy to navigate and great at marketing their “product”. Since I find the Smithsonian’s websites successful, I figured what better way to learn then to see where their website originated. I chose the National Museum of American History’s website to put in the Wayback Machine.

            I was able to go back in time to March of 2000 and explore the NMAH 2000 version's website and although it was not as visually pleasing as the 2012 version it did offer more than I expected. Along with the typical general information, It included five tabs to help explore the site; including Visual Exhibitions, Not just for Kids, The Music Room, Timeline, and What is It?. Under the Visual Exhibitions, the viewer can find sixteen separate exhibits that are not totally consistent in uniformity and format. Some have images with descriptions, others are photographs of the actually exhibits, and then some are just in paragraph form. Not just for Kids described all the hands-on activities that they offer when visiting in person. The rest of the tabs are very similar and straight forward but what I found interesting is although it is not as interactive as the 2012 version, it did offer a fun interaction with “What is it?” Under that tab they provided an unidentified image of something in their collection and asked for people to guess the purpose of the object, while they offered hints. That was a great way to get people involved before the flood of accessible social media that we have today. I have searched all over the 2012 website and so far I am sad to report that they no longer offer the “What is it?” section.

            The 2012 version of NMAH's website has an abundance of information that one could get lost in for hours (myself included). The homepage has definitely become more efficient because although they have similar tabs to the 2000 version it offers a sneak peek as to what information or activities are behind those tabs that make it more intriguing to click on. I think that the way it has been laid out creates an environment that keeps you clicking on one section or another. With social media being so essential in keeping a relationship open with the public, the NMAH offers a running Twitter feed on the side of some of its pages, with links to Facebook, Youtube, and even Tumblr. The virtual exhibitions are the biggest advancement with the 2012 website. The viewer can actually have a 360 degree view of an exhibit with text full of interesting facts. Another neat aspect of the current website is the amount of information it offers to the public. The viewer can find almost any artifact held in the NMAH with an image, description, and current location.

            Museum websites have definitely come a long way. In 2000 the website offered an opportunity to learn what the museum was about and to learn a little extra bit of information on its exhibits. Now after spending an hour or so on the website, the viewer can feel as if they just spent an afternoon in the museum walking through the exhibits and rummaging through the archives yet they still want to visit in person. It is amazing how far technology has come in only twelve years.