Wednesday we went to FOOD in the Garden—Gardens & Community at the National Museum of American History’s Victory Garden.

The evening included a panel discussion featuring the Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food & Agriculture's Pam Hess; George Washington University landscape design program's Elin Haaga; Running Strong's Tom Kanatakeniate Cook, representing the American Indian support organization for communities and youth across the United States; and Dr. Frederick Foote from The Green Road Project, a natural healing environment for wounded service members and their family members.

Guests enjoyed an interactive, garden party-themed reception with custom cocktails by Green Hat Gin of New Columbia Distillers, tours in the Victory Garden, delicious food by the museum's chef, Jose Diaz, croquet games in the lawn, an Arcadia activity station and story sharing. Here, Green Hat Gin’s Travers Lingle and Ryan Holder with Smithsonian cultural assistant Ryan Lindelman.

The event was co-hosted by American History (After Hours) and Smithsonian Gardens, and it featured a dynamic conversation exploring how gardens and public green spaces have brought people together to build community, learn and heal throughout American history. Here, physical therapist Mallory Gardner, Boland’s Meaghan Trentacost and GPG’s Juan Pablo Pitarque.

Joe Brunetti, Smithsonian Food History Programs director Susan Evans McClure and Smithsonian Institution horticulturist Brett McNish.