Tag Archives: 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!

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.

	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.

~ Culture & History

History Takes Flight! Lonnie G. Bunch at The NMAAHC

02/14/2012 Nativegrl77

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

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.

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!

	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 …

12/15/2011 Nativegrl77

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

The Heritage Signature Chorale

Sunday, December 18, 2011, 4:00 to 6:00 PM National Museum of Natural History Baird Auditorium 10^th Street and Constitution Ave, NW Washington, DC Metro: Smithsonian or Federal Triangle

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: A Screening and Panel Discussion Tuesday, January 17, 2012, 7:00 to 9:00 PM Smithsonian American Art Museum National Portrait Gallery – McEvoy Auditorium 7^th 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 Groundbreaking Year! By Lonnie Bunch at The NMAAHC

12/14/2011 Nativegrl77

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

12/14/2011 Nativegrl77

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?