An Act to Establish the National Museum of African American History and Culture

Today’s post is by Netisha Currie, Archives Specialist at the National Archives in College Park, MD.

Throughout this month until November 9th the National Archives will display the act from 2003 that established the National Museum for African American History and Culture (NMAAHC), opening this weekend on September 24th.

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An Act to Establish within the Smithsonian Institution the National Museum of African American History and Culture, 12/16/2003. Public Law 108-184

The Pieces of History blog wrote a short post about this act and related documents that are currently on display in the East Rotunda Gallery in Washington, DC.

NMAAHC is a long awaited museum, literally 100 years in the making. The museum’s mission is to educate people about the African American experience while telling a story that unites us all. The inaugural exhibits in the museum will cover a wide range of time and topics including slavery, Civil Rights, segregation, communities, literature and the arts, religion, and Black Power.

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NMAAHC exhibit preview (c) Monica O. Montgomery/Museum Hue

 

This weekend the grand opening will be full with the Freedom Sounds Community Celebration and the Dedication Ceremony on Saturday, September 24th at 10am. Timed passes to visit the museum are also available online. If you are not in Washington, DC, NMAAHC has a directory of local celebrations, or you can live stream the dedication online. Remember to follow along and become a part of the opening weekend events with the hashtag #APeoplesJourney throughout social media.


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In this 50th year since the founding of the Black Power movement, Say it Loud! the African American Employee Affinity Group and the National Archives present the panel discussion: Revolutionary Movements Then and Now: Black Power and Black Lives Matter, October 19th at 7pm.

This event will be livestreamed on YouTube, those in the DC area can register to attend in person here. Participate and follow the discussion by using #BlkPowerMatters throughout social media.

 

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