Beads are some of the oldest forms of ornamental artifacts, so at least for me, it wasn't surprising to hear about this bead museum in Washington. But, if you aren't circulating in too many bead-type circles these days, this may be news to you. From the Washington Post, " History on a string:"

" The Bead Museum in Washington's Penn Quarter gets about 8,000 visitors each year. How can there be so much interest that a museum can be devoted entirely to beads?

First, the museum is housed in a single room, and second, beads play a much more important role than most people think, says Hilary Whittaker, vice president of the museum board. [...]

As cultures got more advanced, artisans learned to drill and polish harder materials to create beads, says James W. Lankton, a bead researcher who put together the museum's temporary exhibit "Bead Timeline of History," which will continue through March."

Looking for more on the history of beads? Check with your local library.