National Museum of African American History and Culture Marks 10th Anniversary
On September 24, 2026, the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) will mark its tenth anniversary, having begun with a staff of approximately 200. This institution was established following a lengthy campaign initiated by African American Civil War veterans in 1915 and was officially authorized by President George W. Bush in 2003. Its diverse collection features items such as a Pullman porter uniform and Emmett Till's casket. Lonnie G. Bunch III, the founding director and current Smithsonian Secretary, will celebrate the milestone on September 25 alongside journalist Laura Coates. Bunch is set to retire at the end of the year. The museum's funding came from both celebrities and individual contributions, with President Barack Obama speaking at its opening, which included performances by Stevie Wonder and Patti LaBelle.
Key facts
- The National Museum of African American History and Culture opened on September 24, 2016.
- The museum was established after a decades-long effort that began with African American Civil War veterans in 1915.
- Congressman John Lewis and Senator Sam Brownback led bipartisan efforts; President George W. Bush signed the bill in 2003.
- The museum's collection includes a Pullman porter uniform, a pump organ owned by Henry L. Long, a prison guard tower from Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola, the casket of Emmett Till, and a shawl given to Harriet Tubman by Queen Victoria.
- Founding director Lonnie G. Bunch III, now Smithsonian Secretary, will commemorate the tenth anniversary on September 25 with a conversation moderated by Laura Coates.
- Celebrities including Oprah Winfrey and Michael Jordan donated millions; $4 million came from gifts under $1,000.
- President Barack Obama spoke at the opening dedication, and Stevie Wonder and Patti LaBelle performed.
- Bunch announced he will retire at the end of the year.
Entities
Artists
- Elizabeth Beckett
- James Syres
- George Pullman
- Thurgood Marshall
- Henry L. Long
- Mary Elliott
- John Lewis
- Sam Brownback
- George W. Bush
- Carolyn Harris
- Shawn Harris
- Lonnie G. Bunch III
- Laura Coates
- Kinshasha Holman Conwill
- Oprah Winfrey
- Michael Jordan
- Barack Obama
- Stevie Wonder
- Patti LaBelle
- Emmett Till
- Harriet Tubman
- Queen Victoria
- Charles L. Blockson
- Maureen Bobo
- Henry Clay Anderson
- Benjamin O. Davis Sr.
- Benjamin O. Davis Jr.
- Joe Louis
- Allison Keyes
Institutions
- National Museum of African American History and Culture
- Smithsonian
- Pullman Company
- Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola
- Johnson Publishing
- CBS Radio News
- NPR
Locations
- Washington, D.C.
- United States
- Georgia
- Kansas
- Mississippi
- Mount Vernon, New York
- Denver
- Angola
- Louisiana
- National Mall