The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History hosted a “Print-o-rama” program including printing demonstrations and a display of several printing history “objects out of storage,” on Friday July 8th and Saturday July 9th. The two-day event brought in a crowd of some 1200 people, who were encouraged to hear about printing on a 5×8 Kelsey press, investigate other examples of historic printing equipment, and work a 3×5 Kelsey press. Attendants to the program included APHA, Chesapeake Chapter, members Chris Manson, Chris Sweterlitsch, Sonja Rossow, and Graphic Arts Collection museum curator Joan Boudreau, along with other museum staff and interns.

Chris Sweterlitsch getting up close with a young participant.

Chris Manson explaining the history of printing

The Museum is interested to host a similar event around the holidays or perhaps next summer.