Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture is a premier institution dedicated to the preservation and celebration of African American history and culture, located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., near the Washington Monument and the National Museum of American History. The museum's establishment is a result of the efforts of President George W. Bush, Congressman John Lewis, and Senator Sam Brownback, who introduced the National Museum of African American History and Culture Act in 2003. The museum has partnerships with various organizations, including the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the African American Museum in Philadelphia. The museum's founding director, Lonnie Bunch, played a crucial role in shaping the institution, which is part of the Smithsonian Institution and has collaborations with the National Museum of African Art and the Anacostia Community Museum.

History and establishment

The concept of a national museum dedicated to African American history and culture dates back to the early 20th century, with Carter G. Woodson and Jesse E. Moorland being among the first to advocate for such an institution. The museum's establishment was also supported by President Barack Obama, who signed the National Museum of African American History and Culture Act into law in 2003, and First Lady Michelle Obama, who has been a strong advocate for the museum. The museum has also received support from Oprah Winfrey, Michael Jordan, and Robert F. Smith, among other notable figures. The museum's history is closely tied to the Civil Rights Movement, with key figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks playing important roles. The museum has also collaborated with the National Archives and Records Administration and the Library of Congress to preserve and make accessible historical records and artifacts related to African American history.

Building and architecture

The museum's building was designed by David Adjaye, Freelon Group, and Davis Brody Bond, with a unique design inspired by Yoruba art and African American cultural heritage. The building's exterior is covered in a latticework pattern, which pays homage to the ironwork of New Orleans and the craftsmanship of African American artisans. The museum's architecture has been praised by Frank Gehry and I.M. Pei, among other notable architects. The building is also designed to be environmentally sustainable, with a green roof and a rainwater harvesting system, and has been recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council and the American Institute of Architects. The museum's design has been influenced by the National Museum of the American Indian and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

Collections and exhibitions

The museum's collections include over 37,000 objects, including artifacts related to slavery, segregation, and the Civil Rights Movement, as well as art, music, and literature created by African American artists and writers. The museum's exhibitions have featured works by Romare Bearden, Jacob Lawrence, and Kerry James Marshall, among other notable artists. The museum has also exhibited artifacts related to Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, and Sojourner Truth, and has collaborated with the National Museum of Women in the Arts and the National Portrait Gallery. The museum's collections also include artifacts related to African American sports history, including the Negro Leagues and the Tuskegee Airmen, and have been recognized by the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and the National Aviation Hall of Fame.

Notable artifacts and displays

The museum's notable artifacts include the casket of Emmett Till, the dress worn by Rosa Parks on the day of her arrest, and the parachute used by Tuskegee Airman Charles DeBow. The museum also has a collection of artifacts related to African American music, including a guitar owned by Chuck Berry and a dress worn by Aretha Franklin. The museum's displays also include a re-creation of a slave cabin from the Point of Pines Plantation and a segment of the Oklahoma Land Run fence. The museum has also exhibited artifacts related to African American film history, including the costume worn by Hattie McDaniel in Gone with the Wind and the camera used by Gordon Parks.

Public programs and impact

The museum offers a range of public programs, including lectures, workshops, and performances, which have featured notable figures such as Ta-Nehisi Coates, Angela Davis, and Wynton Marsalis. The museum has also partnered with Google Arts & Culture to create online exhibitions and educational resources, and has collaborated with the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. The museum's impact has been recognized by President Joe Biden, who has praised the museum's efforts to promote diversity and inclusion, and by Nelson Mandela, who has praised the museum's commitment to preserving and celebrating African American history and culture. The museum has also been recognized by the American Alliance of Museums and the International Council of Museums.

Leadership and governance

The museum is led by Kevin Young, who serves as the director, and has a board of trustees that includes notable figures such as Richard Parsons, Deborah Roberts, and Robert L. Johnson. The museum is also governed by the Smithsonian Institution's Board of Regents, which includes Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and Vice President Kamala Harris. The museum has also received support from Congresswoman Maxine Waters and Senator Cory Booker, among other notable politicians. The museum's leadership has been recognized by the National Museum of the American Indian and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, and has collaborated with the National Gallery of Art and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Category:Smithsonian Institution