A People’s Journey, A Nation’s Story | National Museum of African American History and Culture Skip to main content National Museum of African American History & Culture Smithsonian Visit Visit Get the latest information about timed passes and tips for planning your visit Plan Your Visit Group Visits Frequently Asked Questions Accessibility Options Sweet Home Café Museum Store Museum Maps Sign up for email updates Explore Explore Search the collection and explore our exhibitions, centers, and digital initiatives Search the Collection Stories Initiatives Museum Centers Publications Digital Resource Guide The Searchable Museum Exhibitions Freedmen's Bureau Search Portal Moments Sign up for email updates Learn Learn Online resources for educators, students, and families Educators Students Adults Early Childhood Library Digital Learning Sign up for email updates Connect Connect Engage with us and support the Museum from wherever you are Strategic Partnerships Ways to Give Volunteer Internships & Fellowships Contact Sign up for email updates Events Events Find our upcoming and past public and educational programs Today at the Museum Upcoming Events Ongoing Tours & Activities Past Events Host an Event at NMAAHC Sign up for email updates About About Learn more about the Museum and view recent news About the Museum The Building Leadership Meet Our Curators Founding Donors Leadership Councils Newsroom NMAAHC Annual Reports Sign up for email updates Shop Donate Toggle Mobile Menu Search Keyword Search Search A People’s Journey, A Nation’s Story Welcome to the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History & Culture Reserve Passes Since opening our doors on September 24, 2016, the museum has engaged millions of people worldwide, sharing the unvarnished truth about African American experiences, advances, and contributions. This month, we celebrate nine years of living history through the stories that connect our past to our present—and our future. We use the video player Able Player to provide captions and audio descriptions. Able Player performs best using web browsers Google Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. If you are using Safari as your browser, use the play button to continue the video after each audio description. We apologize for the inconvenience. Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture Welcome Home: Our Legacy Continues Learn More about Welcome Home: Our Legacy Continues "Lifting as We Climb," March 2024   More than 300 public programs Set of wrought iron leg shackles, before 1863   More than 45,000 permanent collections Students at St. Augustine High School, 1961   24,000 student groups have visited Tony Award for Best Play, "Fences," 1987   95+ awards won since opening NMAAHC’s 12 millionth visitor (left), March 2025 More than 12.6 million visitors from 199 countries worldwide plus all 50 states and DC Typewriter used by B.C. Franklin, 1947   56.3 million visitors to the website Nautical clock gifted from President Theodore Roosevelt to William L. Houston, 1905-1919   2 hours is the average time spent at the museum   Our mission is to capture and share the unvarnished truth of African American history and culture. We connect stories, scholarship, art and artifacts from the past and present to illuminate the contributions, struggles and triumphs that have shaped our nation. We forge new and compelling avenues for audiences to experience the arc of living history.Our Legacy Continues Upcoming Events Monday Oct. 6, 2025 | 6:00pm - 6:45pm Meditation Mondays Tuesday Oct. 7, 2025 | 7:30pm - 8:30pm Historically Speaking: Yet Here I Am — An Evening with Jonathan Capehart and Lonnie Bunch Thursday Oct. 16, 2025 | 1:00pm - 2:00pm Preservation Station: Exploring the Family Treasures Toolkit All Events Recent News Wednesday, September 24, 2025 National Museum of African American History and Culture Celebrates Ninth Anniversary Wednesday, March 26, 2025 National Museum of African American History and Culture Celebrates National Poetry Month This April Thursday, February 27, 2025 National Museum of African American History and Culture Celebrates Women’s History Month Honoring Black Women All News National Museum of African American History & Culture 1400 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC 20560 Sign up for email updates Become a Member Make a Donation X Facebook Instagram YouTube Privacy Terms of Use Empty Div 2017 Webby Award - People’s Choice Award Close Modal Get the latest news from NMAAHC @email has successfully signed up to receive updates and news from the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Thank you! First Name Last Name Email address You will receive emails from NMAAHC, including updates and news on the latest discoveries and exhibitions. You can unsubscribe at any time. Please wait as your information is being submitted.Email powered by Salesforce (Privacy Policy)