Tag Archives: National Museum of African American History

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Meet Carl Sciortino

09/20/2013 Nativegrl77

Carl Sciortino, the first congressional candidate we’ve endorsed this cycle, who “comes out” as liberal to his Tea Party father in a new ad.

Over 200,000 people watched the ad so far. The election’s one month away and Carl will be on MSNBC’s Hardball tonight at 7pm!

Watch the ad everyone’s talking about — and chip in $3 to make sure Massachusetts voters see it on TV.

Carl is the definition of a true progressive leader — he supports prosecuting Wall Street bankers, increasing Social Security benefits, passing Warren’s student loan bill, and reversing Citizens United.

His special election is right around the corner on October 15, voters are just starting to pay attention, and he needs our support.

Check out the ad, and donate $3 so Massachusetts voters will see it and elect a bold ally for Senator Warren.

Or, watch the ad and sign up to make calls from your home for Carl before Election Day!

Thanks for being a bold progressive.

— Stephanie Taylor, PCCC Co-founder

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Nearly 400,000 Square-feet! ::: Lonnie G. Bunch at The NMAAHC

04/01/2013 Nativegrl77 2 Comments

NMAAHC Construction site on Feb 13, 2013

Construction photo taken on February 13, 2013. Photo Credit: Michael R. Barnes, Smithsonian,NMAAHC

It takes a big space to tell a big story. That’s why the National Museum of African American History and Culture will be nearly 400,000 square feet!

As you read these words, the massive excavation effort continues daily at our prime location on the National Mall at 14^th Street and Constitution Avenue NW in Washington, D.C. When the foundation is ready, when the walls have risen, when the 3-tiered corona is in place — we take our place as the newest museum in the world-renowned Smithsonian family. I promise you that the history inside our doors will be as grand, exciting, and powerful as the building itself.

As we move the Museum ever closer to its 2015 Grand Opening, I want to be sure you know how much we appreciate your financial support.

Our task of raising $250,000 million from private resources and individuals is certainly ambitious. However, I am pleased to report that so far more than 47,800 members and donor share your desire to discover, explore and present the African American experience for visitors from around the world to see and understand. And we are adding more Charter Members every day!

Now I am hoping you will continue to help us build this great museum by making a contribution today. We really do need your ongoing support to reach our goal.

Together we are building a museum where exhibitions and public programs will inspire and educate future generations. Imagine seeing firsthand a PT-13 Stearman Bi-plane actually used to train Tuskegee pilots … viewing the shawl given to Harriet Tubman by Queen Victoria … or enjoying a music or dance presentation celebrating African American musical and cultural heritage.

But before that day arrives in 2015, you and I must ensure that we are doing all we can to bring this new museum to our nation — and the world!

So, please, help us meet our goal of $250 million and make your contribution to the Museum now. We truly appreciate it. Thank you.

	All the best,

	Lonnie G. Bunch Director

P.S. Nearly 400,000-square-feet of power, pain, beauty, triumph and more — that is what Americans and visitors from around the world will find when they walk through doors of the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Thank you so much for helping us build this fabulous museum!

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NMAAHC and A Southern Railway … segregated

02/27/2013 Nativegrl77

WITNESS THE INSTALLATION OF THE MUSEUM’S FIRST OBJECTS INTO THE MUSEUM ON THE NATIONAL MALL

A Southern Railway (segregated) car built in 1920 and a 1930s-era guard tower from the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola.

Guard Tower at Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola

Where: Our construction site located at Constitution Ave and 14^th Streets NW, Washington, DC Metro: Smithsonian or Federal Triangle

The National Museum of African American History and Culture will install two of its signature objects in the museum’s Constitution Avenue construction site on Sunday, Nov. 17. The objects are the Museum’s Southern Railway railroad car (segregated) and a 1930s-era guard tower from the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola.

A convoy of trucks will transport the 80-ton rail car and the 21-foot tall guard tower to the museum’s Constitution Avenue construction site. Cranes will lower the objects 60 feet below ground level into the museum where they will be kept while the building’s upper floors and roof are completed. Both objects will be featured in the museum’s inaugural exhibition on segregation.

You are welcome to view these events from the grassy hill on Madison Drive across from the site. This is a non-ticketed, informal viewing area that will be open to the public.

Railroad car before refurbishment.

Refurbished railroad car.

Photos and videos will be available after the installation.

Please be advised that a section of Constitution Avenue NW will be closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic during this time.

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Support : NMAAHC

12/19/2012 Nativegrl77

Help us build the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture by making a donation today!

I want to thank you for making 2012 an exciting year of progress for the Museum.

It has been a busy, productive year.

Our critically acclaimed new exhibition, Slavery at Jefferson’s Monticello: Paradox of Liberty, was enjoyed by tens of thousands of visitors.
Our collections now number more than 19,000 historic objects and artifacts — and still growing!
And since the membership program began in August 2009, more than 42,000 people throughout the nation — and around the world! — have joined in support of building the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Of course, the biggest event over the past 12 months was our groundbreaking in February. It was marked by a special ceremony attended by President and Mrs. Obama, and featured speeches by the President and other dignitaries. This event stands as one of our major milestones and accomplishments thus far.

Today, our future site on the National Mall is a hive of activity. The bulldozers, backhoes and other construction equipment are drawing a lot of attention from people visiting the Capitol, the national monuments, and the museums that line the Mall.

I cannot begin to tell you how excited we are knowing that in 2015, the National Museum of African American History and Culture will open its doors and take its place among the great family of Smithsonian institutions — provided we continue to progress on schedule.

Your support is vital to the Museum. Now, before we ring in the New Year, I hope you will consider making a special year-end contribution and help ensure we stay on schedule. Remember, your gift is tax-deductible to the full extent of the law — so, while you are helping the Museum, you are benefiting with a tax deduction, too.

You may want to consider becoming a Charter Member, if you have not done so already — it is a great program with some nice premiums. Regardless, however, we are genuinely grateful for your support and contribution to the Museum!

Let me take this opportunity to wish you and yours all the best in the coming year. Thank you for your kind generosity to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture — and for making this dream a reality.

	Sincerely,

	Adrienne C. Brooks Director of Development

P.S. Please take a moment right now and make a tax-deductible contribution to help build our Museum. If you are not already a Charter Member, you can join right now. Or you can simply support the Museum with a generous contribution. Either way, we truly appreciate your commitment. Thank you once again.

~ Culture & History

National Museum of African American History and Culture – Lonny Branch

02/22/2012 Nativegrl77

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.