With all the exciting places to visit in the United States of America, many people often forget about the rich history and beauty in the midst of our nation’s capital city, Washington, D.C. The District of Columbia is rich in all types of history to include cultural, musical, architectural, aeronautical, and many others. The real success of this great nation is the collective result of the blood, sweat, and tears of many different cultures, ethnic groups, and nationalities. However, most school history books don’t do a great job of crediting the contributions of “peoples of color.” Therefore, “people of color” often have a very difficult time visualizing their ancestorial American history. Although this may be true, the Nation’s Capital has several museums and memorials that all people will find interesting and remarkable. Therefore, everyone should take several days out of their busy schedules to visit Washington D.C.’s iconic history centers dedicated to preserving and remembering the contributions of all people. Below is a list of museums, memorials, and one restaurant that every person should visit in Washington, D.C.
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Since The National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) first opened its doors on September 24, 2016, it has experienced non-stop daily visitors. It has quickly become one of the most visited museums in the country. The museum is located on the National Mall near the Washington Monument. The NMAAHC is the 19th and newest museum of the Smithsonian Institution and has in its collection over 40,000 objects, with approximately 3,500 on display. The NMAAHC’s vast collection is housed in a 10-story building (five floors above and five floors below ground). You will also find housed at this museum, items owned by notable African American leaders, musicians, athletes, actors, writers, and scholars. The museum’s designers and curators did a remarkable job laying out the complete history of African Americans in this county. It will take you an entire day or more to review the displays and collections in this one-of-a-kind museum. Don’t forget to check the museum’s website to ensure you are aware of the operating hours and policies concerning scheduling your visit. The museum is truly a fantastic place to visit.
This Museum will tell the American story through the lens of African American history and culture. This is America’s Story and this museum is for all Americans. – Founding Director, Lonnie G. Bunch III
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial
The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial is located at 1964 Independence Avenue S.W. just off of the National Mall. Dr. King’s 30-foot granite statue proudly stands across the Tidal Basin from the Jefferson Memorial. The King Memorial was officially dedicated on October 16, 2011, and pays tribute to one of the most recognized African American leaders of all time. If you are not aware, Dr. King played a pivotal role in ending the legal practice of segregation in the U.S., and he influenced both the creation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Most importantly, King delivered one of the greatest speeches of all time entitled “I Have a Dream” from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. With that said, I encourage you to walk over to the Lincoln Memorial and stand on the steps where King stood and presented his famous speech. Hint, the location is marked. If you are ever in D.C., please take a few minutes out of your schedule to visit the memorial and reflect on the true meaning of equality.
National Museum of African Art
The National Museum of African Art (NMAfA) is the only national museum in the United States dedicated to the collection, exhibition, conservation, and study of the arts of Africa. The museum began as a private educational institution in 1964 to promote cross-cultural understanding in the social sciences and arts. The museum was originally known as the Museum of African Art and located on Capitol Hill in a townhouse that had been the home of Frederick Douglass (African American abolitionist and statesman). In 1981, the museum was renamed to the National Museum of African Art, and then in 1987, the museum opened in a new facility on the National Mall. The NMAfA scope and programs now include both modern and contemporary artworks. To learn more, please visit the museum at 950 Independence Avenue, SW.
African American Civil War Memorial and Museum
The African American Civil War Museum (AACWM) opened its doors in January of 1999 and communicates the stories of the United States Colored Troops (USCT) through photographs, documents, artifacts, seminars by staff, and historical presentations by community members. Furthermore, volunteer re-enactors help visitors understand the largely unknown role of soldiers who fought for freedom from slavery during the Civil War. The museum’s stated mission is to correct a great wrong in history that largely ignored the enormous contributions of the 209,145 members of the United States Colored Troops. It tells the stories, and preserves for posterity the historic roles these brave men of African, European, and Hispanic descent played in ending slavery and keeping America united under one flag. For more information, please visit the museum’s website for operating hours and events.
National Museum of the American Indian
The National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) is an active and visible component of the Smithsonian Institution. The NMAI is located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., and opened on September 21, 2004. The museum has three facilities; The National Mall facility, The George Gustav Heye Center (New York), and The Cultural Resource Center (Maryland). The NMAI houses one of the world’s most expansive collections of Native artifacts, including objects, photographs, archives, and media covering the entire Western Hemisphere, from the Arctic Circle to Tierra del Fuego. The incredible five-story National Mall location is an architectural masterpiece clad in a golden-colored Kasota limestone. The museum’s beautiful structure stands out from the familiar D.C. skyline. Please visit the museum’s website for operating hours and events.
Closing Thoughts
After visiting one or all of these museums, you will walk away with a new appreciation, respect, and honor for all those cultures that have contributed in an immeasurable way to American society. I encourage you to share this post with others so that others may be encouraged to grow from our nation’s past, making a brighter tomorrow for our children.
The author’s final thought: Each time I finish a museum visit, I head down to Ben’s Chili Bowl (U Street location) to get a bite to eat. Somehow, I can’t break this tradition. Maybe I like looking at the beautiful artwork on the side of the Chili Bowl building.