Tag Archives: National Museum of African American History and Culture

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NMAAHC


  • NMAAHC -- National Museum of African American History and Culture
Changing America: The Emancipation Proclamation, 1863
and the March on Washington, 1963

March on Washington, 1963
March on Washington participants. Aug. 28, 1963.
Library of Congress

Opens December 14, 2012
NMAAHC Gallery at American History, second floor east

On August 28, 1963, at the March on Washington, Martin Luther King Jr. began his speech by declaring, “Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of captivity … In a sense we have come to our nation’s capital to cash a check.”

In 2013 the country will commemorate two events that changed the course of the nation — the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation and the 1963 March on Washington. Standing as milestone moments in the grand sweep of American history, these achievements were the culmination of decades of struggles by individuals — both famous and unknown — who believed in the American promise that this nation was dedicated to the proposition that “all men are created equal.” Separated by 100 years, they are linked together in a larger story of freedom and the American experience.

To commemorate these two pivotal achievements, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) in collaboration with the National Museum of American History (NMAH) will present an exhibition, featuring historic photographs, paintings, new film footage and objects, that explores the historical context of these two crucial events, their accomplishments and limitations, and their impact on the generations that followed.

The exhibition will be on view from Dec. 14, 2012 through Sept. 15, 2013 in NMAAHC’s temporary gallery on level two at American History, 14th St NW and Constitution Ave NW. Metro: Smithsonian or Federal Triangle.

For more information, visit www.nmaahc.si.edu.
~ Culture & History

Lonnie G. Bunch at The NMAAHC


NMAAHC -- National Museum of African American History and Culture -- Happy Thanksgiving

I’m writing to wish you and yours a happy Thanksgiving!

Today, I’d like to thank you for your support on behalf of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.

This has been a big year for us — in February, we celebrated our groundbreaking. Construction is underway, and we are on target to open our doors in 2015.

With your loyalty and support, millions of people will experience the American story through a different lens, that of African American history and culture.

Thank you again for helping us build this important new addition to the Smithsonian family of museums. We can’t wait to see you in the Museum when we open!

From all of us here, we wish you a very happy Thanksgiving.

Sincerely,
Edison Wato signature
Edison R. Wato, Jr.
Membership Program Manager

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Lonnie G. Bunch at The NMAAHC


NMAAHC -- National Museum of African American History and Culture

eNews from the National Museum of African American History and Culture Fall 2012

Changing America:

The Emancipation Proclamation, 1863 and the March on Washington, 1963

In 2013, the anniversaries of two key American milestones will be celebrated in a new exhibition,Changing America: The Emancipation Proclamation, 1863 and the March on Washington, 1963, presented jointly by the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) and the National Museum of American History (NMAH).
Read more >>

 feature image October 2012
Director Lonnie Bunch

A Message from the Director

2012 marks the seventh anniversary of my return to the Smithsonian Institution as founding director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC). When I started in 2005, the site where the building would be located was not known and there were no collections or funds. Today, I am glad to report that construction has started on the building, which will be located at 14th and Constitution Avenue NW and we have collected more than 18,400 objects and approximately $100 million in donations toward our total goal of $500 million, of which $250 million must be raised from private resources.
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Pullman Railroad Car

From the NMAAHC Collections:

Jim Crow Era Pullman Railroad Car

One of the signature artifacts of the National Museum of African American History and Culture is a classic Pullman-built railroad car that once traveled the rails for the Southern Railway.
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Construction Update

Construction Update

Since the groundbreaking ceremony on February 22, construction of our building on the National Mall has begun and is moving forward. The building’s site is popular with residents and visitors who stop by to view the progress of the 19th museum in the Smithsonian family.
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First Grade Class

First-Grade Class Contributes to NMAAHC

Twenty first-grade students from Hamilton Park Pacesetter Magnet School in Hamilton Park, Texas, learned about philanthropy, math, and museums as they collected $175 in dimes during Black History Month 2012.
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Watch history being made! National Museum of African American History and Culture


National Museum of African American History and Culture

Click on photos for more Great Information

Groundbreaking
Smithsonian senior staff and members of the National Council of the National Museum of African American History and Culture break ground for the new museum.

Dear Charter Members and Supporters,

There has been a great deal of interest expressed in our recent groundbreaking ceremony. It was a historic and inspiring event.

With that in mind, I hope you will take this opportunity to watch and enjoy the entire ceremony at nmaahc.si.edu/Events/Groundbreaking.

Your early support has played a valuable role in our progress, and I know I can count on your continued support to help carry us forward to our 2015 opening.

Please know that everyone at the Museum is grateful for your dedicated commitment. Thank you so much.

Lonnie Bunch, Director All the best,
Lonnie Bunch
Founding Director
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
P.S. In late June, we are planning a public celebration of our groundbreaking. I will send you complete details about the event once they are finalized. Thank you again.
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Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Membership Department
P.O. Box 96832
Washington, DC20090-6832For Correspondence:
P.O. Box 37012 MRC 509
Washington, DC 20013-7012AAHCmember@si.edu
nmaahc.si.edu
© 2012 Smithsonian Institution
 
~ Culture & History

National Museum of African American History and Culture – Lonny Branch


National Museum of African American History and Culture

Dear Charter Members and Friends,As director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, I am proud to announce that we will officially break ground for the Museum on Wednesday, February 22, 2012. While we could not invite all our Charter Members and friends to join us at this ceremony, I welcome you to join us virtually through a simulcast of this historic event via this link nmaahc.si.edu/Events/Groundbreaking. Pre-program activities begin at 9 a.m., and the ceremony gets underway at 10 a.m.This day represents a major milestone in our development, keeping us on track to meet our projected opening in 2015!

Future Site of the Smithsonian's NMAAHC Circled — Future home of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture on the National Mall in Washington, DC.

The ceremonial groundbreaking represents just one of a number of activities planned throughout this year. In addition to our ongoing exhibitions and programs, later this year we will host a public celebration of the Groundbreaking on the National Mall. It will be a prelude to the Smithsonian’s FolkLife Festival that begins on June 27th. And those of you who are Charter Members will be invited to a special “members-only” reception and program as well (details to follow).

Six years ago, we began the journey to create the 19th museum of the Smithsonian family. Now, we have arrived at a singular moment in history — a time that realizes the hopes and dreams of so many who have struggled before us. We could not have reached this moment without the commitment of our Charter Members and friends like you.

Thank you again for your continued support and for joining us in this journey to bring the National Museum of African American History and Culture to the nation and the world.
Lonnie Bunch, Director In gratitude and celebration,
Lonnie Bunch Founding Director
P.S. I know you are as excited and proud as all of us are of this Museum as it begins to take its place among the other great Smithsonian museums on the National Mall. Thank you again for your vision and support.