The National Museum of African American History and Culture is the only national museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, history, and culture. It was established by Act of Congress in 2003, following decades of efforts to promote and highlight the contributions of African Americans. To date, the Museum has collected more than 36,000 artifacts and nearly 100,000 individuals have become charter members. The Museum opened to the public on September 24, 2016, as the 19th and newest museum of the Smithsonian Institution.
The NMAAHC is a public institution open to all, where anyone is welcome to participate, collaborate, and learn more about African American history and culture. In the words of Lonnie G. Bunch III, founding director of the Museum, "there are few things as powerful and as important as a people, as a nation that is steeped in its history."
Below, check out some of the theatrical highlights from inside the museum!
Photo Credit: Walter McBride
Exterior at the National Museum of African American History & Culture
Exterior at the National Museum of African American History & Culture
Exterior at the National Museum of African American History & Culture
Exterior at the National Museum of African American History & Culture
Interior at the National Museum of African American History & Culture
Interior at the National Museum of African American History & Culture
Interior Exhibit at the National Museum of African American History & Culture
Interior at the National Museum of African American History & Culture
Taking the Stage Exhibit
Taking the Stage Exhibit
Theater Exhibit
Theater Exhibit
Taking The Stage Exhibit
Broadening Broadway Exhibit
Breaking away from Blackface Exhibit
“For Colored Girls� Exhibit
Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee Exhibit
James Baldwin Exhibit
Anerican Negro Theater Exhibit
Amira Baraka Exhibit
Urban Theater Exhibit
Theatrical Dance Exhibit
Broadway Exhibit
August Wilson Exhibit
August Wilson Exhibit
August Wilson Exhibit
“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom�
“The Wiz� Exhibit
Black Hollywood Exhibit
Ava DuVernay Exhibit
“Birth Of A Nation� Exhibit
TV Pioneers Exhibit
Diahann Carroll, “Julia� Exhibit
The Comics Exhibit
The Comics Exhibit
Josephine Baker Exhibit
Musicial Crossroads Exhibit
Musical Crossroads Exhibit
Chuck Berry’s Cadillac El Dorado
Chuck Berry Exhibit
Marian Anderson Exhibit
Dizzy Gillespie and MiLes Davis Exhibit
Ella Fitzgerals and Billie Holiday Exhibit
Jazz Exhibit
Whitney Houston American Music Award Exhibit
Prince Exhibit
Michael Jackson Exhibit
Dionne Warwick Exhibit
Earth Wind and Fire Exhibit
Bootsy Collins Exhibit
Diana Ross Exhibit
Lena Horne Exhibit
Lena Horne Exhibit
The Mothership Exhibit
George Clinton Exhibit
Celia Cruz Exhibit
Musical Crossroads Exhibit
Musical Crossroads Exhibit
Rock & Roll Exhibit
Bo Diddley Exhibit
Chuck Berry Exhibit
The Jackson 5 Exhibit
EN VOGUE Exhibit
Michael Jackson, Musical Crossroads Exhibit
Hendrix, Musical Crossroads Exhibit
Musical Crossroads Exhibit
Billie Holiday Exhibit
Dizzy Gillespie Exhibit
Della Reese Exhibit
Tiger Woods Exhibit
Arthur Ashe Exhibit
Muhammad Ali Exhibit
Muhammad Ali Exhibit
Muhammad Ali Exhibit
The Oprah Winfrey Theater
Venus Williams and Serena Williams Exhibit
James Baldwin Exhibit
Jay-Z Exhibit
“Obama Out� Exhibit
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