Lillian and Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum
575 3rd Street NorthwestMembers of the Lillian and Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum are invited to be the first to view Esther Bubley: Photographing the Homefront before it opens to the public! The exhibition will be open to members only from 10:00 - 5:00 pm.
Immerse yourself in 1940s Washington with the home front photography of Esther Bubley.
Esther Bubley (1921-1998), the daughter of Jewish immigrants, was a documentary photographer who worked for the Office of War Information during WWII. While in the capital, she photographed Wilson (now Jackson-Reed) High School students and followed uniformed soldiers throughout the city—to the Loew’s Theater, Glen Echo amusement park, and Dissin’s Jewish boarding house, where her sister lived. Bubley’s evocative black-and-white photographs show us a bustling city welcoming thousands of new residents experiencing urban life. This exhibition pairs dramatic photography with artifacts from the Museum collection that help illustrate this glimpse into the capital city at a critical time in our nation’s history.
The preview day will include exclusive access to the exhibition, two spotlight talks in the gallery, complimentary cookies, and 20% off gift shop sales.
Enter the Member Code on your digital Membership card to register for this free event. For assistance with your member code, please contact Associate Director of Administration, Raven Orlikoff, at membership@capitaljewishmuseum.org or 202-525-2250. You may also find the member code in the Member Portal.
This special exhibition is made possible in part by Richard Small Alper; Diane Lipton Dennis; Sue Ducat; and the Stieber Family. Exhibition donors as of June 30, 2026.
Major support for the Museum is provided by DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities and the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington.
For information about sponsoring the exhibition, please contact Malki Karkowsky, Chief Advancement Officer, at 202-290-2593 or mkarkowsky@capitaljewishmuseum.org.
Image credit: Hugh and Lynn Massman sightseeing on their first day in Washington, December 1943. Photograph by Esther Bubley, Farm Security Administration - Office of War Information photograph collection. Courtesy of the Library of Congress.
Wed, Oct 21, 2026 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Lillian and Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum
575 3rd Street Northwest
The Lillian and Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum collects, preserves, and shares the diverse stories of Jewish history and culture in the National Capital Region. Through exhibitions and programs, we build connections across generations and communities, encourage reflection on the relevance of the past to today, and inspire civic and community engagement.
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