It’s one of D.C.’s most interesting new exhibits — dedicated to those forgotten items you take out to the curb when you’re clearing the clutter away.
In today’s episode of “Matt About Town,” WTOP’s Matt Kaufax strolls over to the Anthony Bowen YMCA on W Street to visit the Museum of Sidewalk Stuff.
On the surface, the mission of the museum, affiliated with Humanities D.C., is simple: Spotlighting the beauty in the ordinary, and the practicality of reusing every day, left-behind items.
But curators Allison Press and Xena Ni said that over the course of their quest to find the best sidewalk stuff to highlight in the museum, their mission took on an even deeper meaning.
Now, the pair said the museum is also dedicated to making the concept of mutual aid more familiar and accessible to people. They’re aiming to spotlight how doing something as simple as reusing some forgotten sidewalk stuff, from gently-loved vintage comics to kitchen spices, can go a long way in helping your neighbor.
That’s why the latest iteration of the museum is called the “D.C. Museum of Sidewalk Stuff: Mutual Aid Stories.” The fun and whimsical attraction showcases the work of community organizers across D.C., and illustrates how everyday acts of care are the lifeblood of a thriving community.
In the museum, you can find just about anything: from a shelf of recovered spice jars, to a framed $20 bill, to a wall of toilet paper and diapers celebrating essential workers in D.C. who stepped up during the pandemic.
During his time filming with Allison and Xena, Matt didn’t just tour the museum; the trio went out onto the streets of D.C. and knocked on some doors to collect some new sidewalk stuff of their own!
The Museum of Sidewalk Stuff is at the Anthony Bowen Y in Northwest until Sept. 6. They also have a community organizing workshop happening there Aug. 17.
‘Matt About Town’ airs every Tuesday and Thursday on WTOP at 7:45 a.m., and runs throughout the rest of the day on 103.5 FM. His video pieces are always posted on wtop.com.
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