Smithsonian’s NMAAHC

Our museum turns 10 on September 24! As we celebrate a decade of preserving and sharing African American history and culture, we want to hear what our museum has meant to you. Post a video, a photo from your visit or a written reflection, and tag @NMAAHC or #NMAAHC10.

#OnThisDay in 1963, a bomb planted by the Ku Klux Klan ripped through 16th Street Baptist Church killing four little girls. The tragedy marked the third bombing in 11 days in Birmingham, Alabama following the federal order of Alabama school integration. #ANationsStory

#OTD 25 years ago, the lives of nearly 3,000 individuals were taken when 4 commercial airliners were hijacked & used as terrorist weapons. Elizabeth Burnett wore this hard hat while working at Ground Zero. It honors those who helped the country rebuild.

In 1848, 77 freedom seekers boarded the schooner Pearl at The Wharf, risking everything in pursuit of freedom. This September, as we celebrate our 10th anniversary, we return to The Wharf to honor their courage and enduring legacy. Discover their stories:

Yesterday, @Smithsonian announced the retirement of Lonnie G. Bunch III, founding director of our museum & 14th Secretary of the Smithsonian. His commitment helped create a national museum documenting a people’s journey & a nation’s story through the African American lens.

As a transformational leader, he has left a lasting impact on generations of visitors, scholars, & communities whose lives have been enriched by the history he helped to preserve. We are thankful for his service & lasting contributions to the nation. More:

This #LaborDay, we honor the heroic efforts of American workers participating in labor movements. In response to African American exclusion from labor organizations, Black workers created all-Black unions that championed their members’ class & racial interests. #ANationsStory

The stage is set. The Purple Ball awaits. 
 
Join us Sept. 26 for a fundraising affair at The Wharf! Enjoy live entertainment, inspiring moments, & the opportunity to honor a decade of preserving, sharing & celebrating African American history. 
 
#NMAAHC10

The Purple Ball: Echoes of the Pearl will be hosted by Bill Bellamy, featuring performances by Jermaine Dupri & Friends, DJ D-Nice, & The Renaissance Orchestra. Proceeds will support our museum’s exhibitions and initiatives. 
 
Register: 
 
#NMAAHC10

Join us at @NMAAHC Sept. 25–27 for a celebration of our 10th anniversary! Enjoy a special weekend of music, dance, art, family activities, food, and community.

Events are free to attend. Registration required:     #NMAAHC10 #APeoplesJourney #ANationsStory

Did you know the United States has only had one African American-owned and operated automobile company? Explore the history of C.R. Patterson & Sons and the legacy of Charles Richard Patterson:

For generations, Black beaches and amusement parks offered more than summer fun. Arising during the era of Jim Crow, Black-owned recreational spaces provided havens where Black people felt welcomed and secure. Explore their history:

On August 28, 1963 — the same day as the March on Washington — a young girl and her father desegregated the Gwynn Oak Amusement Park on this carousel. Today, this historic carousel greets visitors on the National Mall as the Smithsonian Carousel. More:

Today, we celebrate Chuck Brown, the Godfather of Go-Go. Born in Gaston, NC, he transformed go-go from a local sound into a movement of community, culture, and connection, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire audiences worldwide. Learn more:

Join us September 26 for The Purple Ball: Echoes of the Pearl, featuring performances by GRAMMY Award-winning artist and producer Jermaine Dupri & Friends and legendary artist and entertainer DJ D-Nice. Register: #NMAAHC10

Join us Sept. 24-27 for "The Reunion" – a weekend of music, culture, reflection, and community, as we celebrate 10 years of preserving and sharing African American history and culture. Register: #NMAAHC10 #APeoplesJourney #ANationsStory

Today marks the 61st anniversary of the Voting Rights Act. Signed into law on August 6, 1965, it outlawed literacy tests, poll taxes in federal elections, and other obstacles to voting. The Act led to dramatic increases in Black voter registration.

Travel guides like this one from 1953, often called “Green Books,” highlighted places and businesses where Black travelers could visit safely during the segregation era. Learn more on our Searchable Museum: #ANationsStory

In the first half of the 20th century, the Chicago Defender newspaper helped draw tens of thousands of African Americans to Chicago. It spurred, shaped, and gave voice to the Great Migration of Black Southerners to the urban North. More: #ANationsStory