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The National Museum of African American History and Culture

A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of going to DC and finally getting to visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture. I really enjoyed myself. It was great to finally have a place where the story of my people, Black people, can be told for all to come and see. I love museums and this place definitely does not disappoint. As a student of history, I was really happy to see how much information they put into this building and how they tried very hard to tell our story with dignity and respect, while keeping intact not so popular truths of our place here in America.

The building itself is beautiful, and placed in a very prominent place on the National Mall right next to the Washington Monument and close to the White House. It definitely holds prime real estate in the center of DC. The lobby is a clean and open space, with the information desk dominating the first floor. There's a large square elevator that takes visitors to the bottom level where the tour begins, and one works their way upwards, following the story of African Americans in this country. There are objects from Nat Turner, Harriet Tubman, the Tuskegee Airmen, Emmit Till, and countless others.

It was a real pleasure to see so many things that had been gathered from the homes of normal people that so beautifully told the African American story. There were a lot of things that just came from regular people, not always big named famous persons from history. I almost feel like I rushed my way though in order to make sure I got to see it all, but I was pleasantly surprised that I knew much of the information they put into the museum, and I felt like my education on our history has been a very good one. Of course there were things that the museum didn't go into, but it's a space that can change and adapt with time and I look forward to seeing what kind of additions and changes are made in the future.

I just wanted to write a little about my experience and share some photos with my readers. If you ever get a chance to go visit, please do. It's a wonderful place to spend a few hours and it's full of interesting things. You'll definitely see something that makes the experience personal and you'll hopefully learn a few things while there as well.

Headgear, gloves and robe of Muhammad Ali

Costumes from the Broadway production of The Wiz.

Stool from the Greensboro lunch counter sit-ins. 

Picture of the Fisk Jubilee Singers

Exhibit on Brown vs. Board of Education with the original baby dolls used in the race experiment.

Shawl worn by Harriet Tumban, given to her by Queen Victoria

Painting by Aaron Douglas

Exterior view of the museum

Guard tower from Angola Prison

Training plane flown by Tuskegee Airmen

Inaugural gown of Johnetta B Cole from her time as President of Bennett College 

Beautiful fountain in a contemplation room

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