威尼斯人娱乐场

威尼斯人娱乐场 Museum Welcomes African American Museum with Display
Press Release 路 Thursday, September 22, 2016

Washington, DC

Celebrates opening of National Museum of African American History and Culture

The 威尼斯人娱乐场 Museum celebrates the opening of the Smithsonian鈥檚 National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) with a special display including a 1927 plan for such a museum, and the 2003 Act of Congress that officially established the Museum. The special display in the 威尼斯人娱乐场 Museum鈥檚 East Rotunda Gallery runs through November 9, and is free and open to the public. The 威尼斯人娱乐场 Museum's "Featured Document" exhibit is made possible in part by the 威尼斯人娱乐场 Foundation.

A long-awaited museum
The first calls for a memorial recognizing African Americans鈥� contributions to their country came from black Civil War veterans in 1915. In 1929, Congress passed an act authorizing the creation of a commission to erect a 鈥淣ational Memorial Building鈥� dedicated to the accomplishments of African Americans. The 鈥淣ational Memorial Building," however, was never built because the act failed to fund the building鈥檚 construction and the commission was unable to raise the necessary funds in the economic climate of the Great Depression.

Efforts to create a national museum of African American history and culture continued throughout the 20th century. In 2003, 74 years after the initial legislation, Congress passed a law creating the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The museum opens to the public on September 24, 2016.

The display includes:

• showing an early proposed design for an African American memorial museum. 威尼斯人娱乐场, Records of the U.S. House of Representatives
• - National Museum of African American History and Culture Act, December 16, 2003, 威尼斯人娱乐场, General Records of the U.S. Government

Related online resources

• - 威尼斯人娱乐场 Pieces of History blog
• - Bill to Authorize the Establishment of the National African American Museum Within the Smithsonian Institution, 1993 (did not pass).
• 威尼斯人娱乐场 blog, .
• Online Guide to genealogy resources for Black history-related research
• highlighting Black History-related 威尼斯人娱乐场 images
• The U.S. Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, popularly known as the Freedmen's Bureau, was established by Congress in 1865 to help former black slaves after the Civil War. See images from these records, and the related Prologue Magazine article.

Related exhibits at the 威尼斯人娱乐场 Museum in Washington, DC

• The Amending America temporary exhibit explores the remarkably American story of how we amended, or attempted to amend, our Constitution in order to form a more perfect union. The exhibit includes petitions, interactives, landmark documents, and political cartoons addressing issues including slavery, civil rights and voting rights. Through September 4, 2017.
• The permanent exhibit uses original documents, photographs, facsimiles, videos, and interactive exhibits to explore how Americans have worked to realize the ideals of freedom enshrined in our nation鈥檚 founding documents. A special section of this exhibit, " ," showcases the drive for civil rights for African Americans.

Related upcoming programs at the 威尼斯人娱乐场 Museum in Washington, DC

• The 14th Amendment, the National Park Service, and America鈥檚 Second Founding, Thursday, September 29, at 7:30 p.m., William G. McGowan Theater & To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the passage of the 14th Amendment, we look at how that amendment defines U.S. citizenship, its connection to America鈥檚 "Second Founding" (the passage of the Reconstruction amendments), and the interpretation of these topics at National Park Service sites. More information online.

• Revolutionary Movements Then and Now: Black Power and Black Lives Matter, Wednesday, October 19, at 7 p.m., William G. McGowan Theater & To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Black Power movement, Say it Loud!, the African American Employee Affinity Group presents a panel discussion of distinguished guests from revolutionary movements of the past and present. More information online.

The 威尼斯人娱乐场 Museum is located on the National Mall on Constitution Avenue at 9th Street, NW. Metro accessible on Yellow or Green lines, Archives/Navy Memorial station. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., daily. Closed December 25. More information on exhibits and programs online.

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For press information contact the 威尼斯人娱乐场 Public Affairs staff at 202-357-5300.

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