National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC to open September 24

By

Dani Greene

Published
Feb 4, 2016

The National Museum of African American History and Culture will open its doors to the public on September 24, 2016. Directed by Lonnie G. Bunch III, the museum’s collection includes approximately 34,000 artifacts across African American history, culture, fashion and music.

“We look forward to the opening of this enormously important new museum,” said David Skorton, Smithsonian Secretary. “The National Museum of African American History and Culture furthers the Smithsonian’s commitment to telling America’s story in all its dimensions.”
 

The museum’s Cultural Expressions exhibit examines the diaspora culture via style (clothing, dress, hair and jewelry), food, dance and culture. There is also a Black Fashion Museum collection with approximately 1,000 items, including Michael Jackson’s fedora from his Victory Tour in 1992. The Musical Crossroads exhibit celebrates the major role that African Americans have played in shaping music in the United States and internationally.

The National Museum of African American History and Culture was created by Congressional legislation in 2003, establishing it as a part of the Smithsonian Institution. It is located on a five-acre site on Constitution Avenue between 14th and 15th Streets NW.