Tag Archives: National Museum of African American History and Culture

~ Culture & History

History Takes Flight! Lonnie G. Bunch at The NMAAHC


National Museum of African American History and Culture

Lonnie Bunch, museum director, historian, lecturer, and author, is proud to present A Page from Our American Story, a regular on-line series for Museum supporters. It will showcase individuals and events in the African American experience, placing these stories in the context of a larger story — our American story.
A Page From Our American Story
Tuskegee Airmen Circa May 1942 to Aug 1943 Members of the Tuskegee Airmen Circa May 1942 to Aug 1943 Location unknown, likely Southern Italy or North Africa

Not many people know the entire story of the Tuskegee Airmen. The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture is going to change that. The Tuskegee Airmen epitomize courage and heroism. Their story, however, is more than just their legendary success escorting American bombers over Nazi Germany.

Their story begins more than 23 years earlier. In fact, from the early days of World War I, African Americans wanted to serve as pilots in the Army Air Force. They were repeatedly rejected — because of their race. In 1941, when Congress finally forced the Army Air Force to train African Americans, the powers in the Pentagon created a training program with one purpose — wash out the men who want to be aviators.

However, the Pentagon was in for a surprise — the Tuskegee Airmen did not fail. They would succeed and go on to serve in spectacular fashion. Their success would force military leaders to take a hard look at the policies of segregation that treated black servicemen and women as second class citizens.

tumblr_lpct1bHPtm1r08s91o10_250.jpg Click here to take flight with the Spirit of Tuskegee!

I offer this brief, brief summary of the Tuskegee Airmen story as a way of introducing a short, but fascinating video that features a treasured object in the Museum’s collection — a restored World War II-era PT-13 Stearman used to train many of the Tuskegee Airmen. The video documents this biplane’s historic journey across the nation on its way to being presented to the Museum in the summer of 2011.

The addition of the PT-13 Stearman helps bring the powerful story of the Tuskegee Airmen to life. Together they help fulfill the Museum’s mission to engage, educate, and bring pride to all Americans.

Enjoy!
Lonnie Bunch, Director All the best,
Lonnie Bunch Director

 
P.S. We can only reach our $250 million goal with your help. I hope you will consider making a donation or becoming a Charter Member today.
The National Museum of African American History and Culture is the newest member of the Smithsonian Institution’s family of extraordinary museums.The museum will be far more than a collection of objects. The Museum will be a powerful, positive force in the national discussion about race and the important role African Americans have played in the American story — a museum that will make all Americans proud.
~ Culture & History

The National Museum of African American History and Culture Holiday Concert …


National Museum of African American History and Culture

Upcoming Events at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture
The National Museum of African American History and Culture Holiday Concert
Heritage Signature Chorale The Heritage Signature Chorale

Sunday, December 18, 2011, 4:00 to 6:00 PM National Museum of Natural History Baird Auditorium 10th Street and Constitution Ave, NW Washington, DC Metro: Smithsonian or Federal Triangle
Stanley J. Thurston Stanley J. Thurston Stanley J. Thurston leads the renowned Heritage Signature Chorale as they perform holiday favorites and classics.This event is free and open to the public on a first-come, first seated basis.Please call 202/633-0070 for more information.
SAVE THE DATE!
The Loving Story Movie Poster

The Loving Story: A Screening and Panel Discussion Tuesday, January 17, 2012, 7:00 to 9:00 PM Smithsonian American Art Museum National Portrait Gallery – McEvoy Auditorium 7th and G Streets, NW Washington, DC Metro: Gallery Place

The Loving Story, a documentary film directed by Nancy Buirski, investigates the lives of Mildred and Richard P. Loving, a black woman and white man who struggled to live as a married couple in the state of Virginia where, in 1958, interracial marriage was against the law. The Loving Story is co-produced by HBO Documentary Films and will be broadcast on HBO in February, 2012. A panel discussion including the film’s director and legal scholars will follow the screening. The film has been made possible in part by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Because democracy demands wisdom.

Admission is free and on a first come, first serve basis.
~ Culture & History

Heading into 2012:A Groundbrea​king Year! By Lonnie Bunch at The NMAAHC


Thanks to the support of friends like you throughout the country, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture is making terrific progress!

In fact, we are already planning our groundbreaking to happen in 2012. This is exciting as it brings the Museum one important step closer to reality. It’s a testimony to the support we’ve received from men and women like you who share a vision and a commitment to see this museum built.

Of course, there are many good reasons to support the Museum, but perhaps the most important is the opportunity to be part of something that will inspire and educate all generations of Americans far into the future.

Imagine for a moment the Museum standing proudly on the National Mall, the three-tiered copper-colored corona shining in the sun, with visitors from across the nation and around the world lining up to see and experience the African American story as it has never been presented before.

Once they enter, they will be immersed in fascinating exhibitions on each floor showcasing treasures from the collection with activities that will convey the African American experience and its role in our nation’s history. It is a uniquely American story, and it is a part of us all.

I know you are as eager as I am to see the Museum’s doors open in 2015.

That is why I am asking for your financial support today. We cannot build this museum without your additional help.

We must raise $250 million from individuals and other private resources to complete the museum on schedule. We greatly appreciate your past support and, on behalf of the Museum staff, I thank you for your commitment.

Today, as news spreads of this important Smithsonian project, our momentum is growing and we are preparing to break ground in 2012. However, the bottom line is that we need your continued support now.

So, please, take a moment right now to make a contribution to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Again, thank you very much.

Lonnie Bunch, Director

All the best,

Lonnie Bunch

Director

P.S. I just want to remind you of the tax benefit your contribution to the Museum represents. Whatever amount you are able to generously contribute today is tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law. $250 million is a tremendous goal and with your support, we will meet it head on!

P.P.S. If you are not already a Charter Member, I hope you will consider joining today!

~ Culture & History

RACE: Are we so different? …National Museum of African American History and Culture


Race LogoA9RE77.jpg

June 18, 2011 – January 2, 2012.
National Museum of Natural History

Lonnie Bunch, National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) director will moderate a discussion on how the museum will treat issues of race.

Panelists include Clement A. Price, PhD, Rutgers University, Nell Irvin Painter, Professor of History emerita, Princeton University and author of The History of White People, Creating Black America, and Southern History Across the Color Line and Mia Bay, PhD, professor at Rutgers University. Professor Bay is the author of two books: To Tell the Truth Freely: The Life of Ida B. Wells and The White Image in the Black Mind: African-American Ideas About White People 1830-1925.

This program is part of the Smithsonian-wide conversation about race. The exhibition RACE: Are We So Different? will be at the National Museum of Natural History June 18, 2011 – January 2, 2012.

Books will be available for sale and signing at the program.

For more information please call (202) 633-0070

Help us Build Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and
Culture by becoming a Charter Membertoday! If you are already a Charter Member, would you consider helping us with
another donation today?
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NMAAHC Brings “Treasures​” to Houston on October 29 …National Museum of African American History and Culture


National Museum of African American History and Culture

National Museum of
African American History and Culture
Brings “Treasures” to Houston October 29
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture and the Houston Public Library will co-host a program to help Houston-area residents identify and preserve items of historical and cultural significance tucked away in the attics, closets and basements of their homes. The freeevent will feature presentations, hands-on activities and preservation tips.The program will take place Saturday, Oct. 29, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Houston Public Library Central Library, 500 McKinney Street, Houston. Free and open to the public, the event is the 11th in a series from the museum’s signature program “Save Our African American Treasures: A National Collections Initiative of Discovery and Preservation.” All are welcome.

Save Our African American Treasures in Indianola, MS
National Museum of African American History and Culture’s
“Save Our African American Treasures” program in
Indianola, MS in September 2011.
Photo Credit: Michael Barnes, Smithsonian Institution.

Participants may bring up to three personal items for a 20-minute, one-on-one professional consultation with experts on how to care for them. The specialists will serve as reviewers, not appraisers, and will not determine an item’s monetary value. Objects such as books, paper and textiles that are no larger than a shopping bag can be reviewed. No furniture, carpets, firearms or paintings are allowed. Additional information is available at nmaahc.si.edu, by emailing treasures@si.edu or by calling (877) 733-9599.

The “Treasures” program also includes the following activities throughout the day:

  • The Gregory School: The African American Library at the Gregory School is the newest special collections unit operated by the Houston Public Library. Learn how it developed and about the unique collections and services it provides.
  • Preservation Presentations: Informal basic preservation sessions will take place during the day. The sessions will provide information on preserving clothing and textiles, family photographs and papers, digital memories and explain the process to establish an object’s provenance. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions.
  • Hands-on Preservation: In this hands-on activity, participants are invited to learn how to store letters properly, pack garments and prepare photographs for preservation storage and presentation.

As a companion to the series, the museum has produced African American Treasures: A Preservation Guide, a 30-page guidebook that is distributed free to attendees to highlight the importance of proper preservation techniques. The guidebook is part of the “Treasures” kit. Also distributed will be white cotton gloves, archival tissue papers and archival documents sleeves to help people keep their personal treasures safe.

Save Our African American Treasures in Dalllas, TX
National Museum of African American History and Culture’s
“Save Our African American Treasures” program in
Dallas, TX in June 2011.
Photo Credit: Michael Barnes, Smithsonian Institution.

“Save our African American Treasures” is made possible with support from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. The grants also support the pre-design and construction of the museum on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., scheduled to open in 2015.

For more information about The National Museum of African American History and Culture, visit nmaahc.si.edu or call Smithsonian information at (202) 633-1000, (202) 633-5285 (TTY).

For further information about the Houston Public Library please visit www.houstonlibrary.org or call 832-393-1313.