A Family Trip to See the Notorious RBG

The National Museum of American Jewish History showcases a special exhibition based on a book of the same name: “Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg.”

Notorious RBG book cover illustration by Adam Johnson. Courtesy of HarperCollins. Photographs: Crown © by Hurst Photo/Shutterstock; Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States.

This special exhibit is located on NMAJH’s fifth floor, overlooking the corner of 5^th and Market streets, on Philadelphia’s historic Independence Mall. The prominent location is already difficult to miss, but with the added touch of a picture of the Notorious RBG’s crooked crown and knowing glare on the exterior, you can’t help wanting to know more about the lady, the Judge, the legend.

Born to be a trailblazer, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is only the second woman, and first Jewish woman, to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. As such, she’s more than worthy of her own exhibit and a great inspiration for all ages, including kids.

While a walk down U.S. Supreme Court lane may not sound like every kid’s cup of tea, a tour with a museum staffer should do the trick. The guides are extremely knowledgeable, great storytellers and really engaging. Follow along with the side stories and additional information, or take yourselves on a walk through the small exhibit, picking up stationary headphones as you go for a peek into Ruth’s career to the tune of her own voice.

Stroll through the life and times of RBG, reading her various letters, notes, quotes and fierce stances on all things equality. Learn about Ruth’s early days, college years, life with Marty, career path, record-breaking dissents and pioneering ways that all brought her to the highest court in the nation. See artifacts from her life mixed in with pop-culture references, including a costume the real RBG wore on stage and one Felicity Jones wore depicting her in the film based on her life, On the Basis of Sex.

RBG and Marty with their daughter, Jane, 1958. Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States

If the exhibit teaches you nothing else, you’ll definitely walk away knowing Ginsburg stands for equality for all — no matter politics, race or gender. There’s a fun, interactive flow to the exhibit, encouraging

Official portrait of United States Supreme Court Justice Ruth Joan Bader Ginsburg. Courtesy of WDC photos/Alamy Stock Photo.

guests to read, watch video footage and listen — all while feeling a bit cozier and welcoming than you might expect.

Keep the inspiring drive and determination going with fun takeaways from the gift shop, like Ruth’s at-home workout and action figures for kids.

The exhibit will run through Jan. 12, 2020, but is just one of the museum’s many worth checking out. Spanning more than 360 years of the history of Jews in America, families and guests can read stories about the first Jewish immigrants in America, milestones in Philadelphia and how they became Jewish Americans.