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With just a few weeks until Nov. 4, I’m willing to bet there are plenty of people who will rejoice upon waking up that next Wednesday to realize, "I don’t have to hear another presidential political ad for another four years!"
You might be surprised, then, that I chose the National Constitution Center’s exhibit "Headed to the White House" for a deal.
I’ve never been one for politics. I feel like I read and watch just enough to understand the gist of what’s going on, but you’ll rarely catch me in the crossfire of My Candidate vs. Your Candidate. I prefer to just smile and nod.
Unless you’ve taken a vow of silence for the last 18 months, chances are you’ve had a conversation with someone about the presidential election. Everyone really is talking about it. I think it’s great people are so involved, it’s just sometimes I don’t quite get what they are talking about, so I go home and Google my way out of confusion.
Friends, if you’re feeling this way too, going to this exhibit is the best thing to do before heading to the polls.
"Headed to the White House" remains at the Constitution Center until Dec. 14. Admission was $15 for adults, and included general admission to the rest of the facility. Inside the exhibit is everything you need to know about the history and process of our right to vote.
The exhibit takes you through more than a dozen interactive, multimedia displays. Within the first few minutes I heard a re-enactment of the voices of voters during the 1840 election reciting "Tippecanoe and Tyler, Too," then in 1932 talking about President Hoover’s failed attempts to revitalize the economy followed by the song "Happy Days Are Here Again" after FDR was elected.
There was a podium to test public-speaking skills by reciting part of John F. Kennedy Jr.’s 1960 inaugural speech, which was played back to judge how good a president you’d be. There also was an area to record a TV campaign commercial.
Further along, the exhibit explored covering the campaign trail, in the media and as a volunteer. A simulated headquarters with incoming e-mail and a telephone to correspond with fellow "volunteers" was a great place to check things out.
Before exiting, a large display showed the number of delegates each state has and informed all how elections are determined. Excerpts from election speeches made during the 2008 White House run could be seen and heard in various areas, as well.
There were all ages interacting with the exhibit. I saw families, with children wide-eyed and running from one multimedia display to the next, and older visitors slowly reading the information with a nostalgic look. I think it’s safe to say both ends of the age spectrum could learn a thing or two here.
I left the Constitution Center feeling more knowledgeable about the process, and even took in a few fun facts to share when the next political discussion comes up.
Which is surely to happen before Nov. 4.
Found a deal that’s too good to pass up? Pass it along to C. Henderson at chenderson@southphillyreview.com
