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Sneak a peek inside the Smithsonian’s African American History Museum

The new museum will open its doors for the first time on September 24

The National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) has been under construction since February 2012, and this Saturday, it will open its doors for the first time. In order to step into the new Smithsonian museum, visitors will need timed passes for the first few weeks. For those who can’t wait, Curbed has compiled photos that venture inside the space, from its glass beads to its statues to its larger-than-life murals.

The tour is chronological, starting from below ground to the uppermost floor. On the lowest floor, the museum begins its story with the origins of the Atlantic slave trade. On the below-grade levels, there are metal bands, European colonialists’ rifles, and images of slave ships.

Washingtonian reported that there is one room on this floor that displays the 1794 wreckage of a Portuguese ship that sank off the coast of South Africa. The wreckage is believed to have killed more than half the estimated 400 slaves on board. Other artifacts found in the underground spaces include a Jim Crow-era Southern Railway car and an Angola prison guard tower, according to Architect Magazine.

My review of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, by Freelon Adjaye Bond / SmithGroup, now up @curbed

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Spent my morning reflecting.

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The floors that are above ground feature a broad range of subjects, including sports, visual and performing arts, business, and education. On the third floor, where the sports exhibit is, there are images of celebrities like Michael Jordan as well as Serena and Venus Williams. There is also a small theater with three rows of stadium seats for visitors to see a short film about baseball.

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On the fourth floor, there is an exhibit about fashion with images of black designers and clothing worn by Rosa Parks and Carlotta Walls.

On the top floor, visitors will find artifacts from musicians like the Jackson family, Chuck Berry, Prince, and the Dixie Hummingbirds gospel group. Washingtonian reported that the chronological tour ends with videos from President Obama‘s first election.

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#Mothership #smithsonian #history #ourstory #museum

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Throughout the museum, visitors will be able to find booths where they can record their own stories. The Smithsonian will collect these audio files and later display them online or in future exhibitions.

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The museum is amazing and a must see for everyone! #nmaahc #apeoplesjourney

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Unbelievable morning with #APeoplesJourney at @nmaahc

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National Museum of African American History and Culture

1400 Constitution Avenue Northwest, , DC 20560 (844) 750-3012 Visit Website