Museum News & Highlights

Mark Morales, Damon Wimbley, and Darren Robinson at the 30th Grammy Awards, 1988.

NMAAHC Celebrates 50 Years of Hip-Hop With a Block Party

Return of NMAAHC’s Hip-Hop Block Party Will Honor a Half-Century of the Genre’s Artistry, Cultural Innovation, and Global Transcendence
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Merchandise

"Afrofuturism: A History of Black Futures" is Now Open

On view until March 24, 2024, the exhibition explores and reveals Afrofuturism’s historic and poignant engagement with African American history and popular culture.
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Juneteenth Commemorative Collection - New Items Added - Shop Now

Shop our Juneteenth Commemorative Collection

This limited-edition collection foregrounds Black-led designs as part of the museum’s larger Juneteenth celebration of resilience, including a curated summer reading list and virtual programming. Help represent this holiday with products that honor Juneteenth as celebrated for over 150 years, in support of the museum.
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African American Flag, 1990, by David Hammons

David Hammons’ “African-American Flag” on View

One of the original five flags made in 1990 by Hammons, the artwork is currently on view in the museum’s “Reckoning: Protest. Defiance. Resilience.” exhibition.
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Memorial March after assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The 15 Year Battle for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Despite the national fervor inspired by his death it took 15 years of persistence by civil rights activists a holiday created in remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to be approved by the federal government and an additional 17 years for it to be recognized in all 50 states.
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The Proclamation of Emancipation by the President of the United States, to take effect January 1st, 1863.

160th Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation

In honor of this important moment, the museum encourages visitors to reflect on the words in the Emancipation Proclamation and 13th Amendment — two of the most important documents in the nation’s history. 
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Elaine Nichols

Explore Our Museum Store

Elaine Nichols, Supervisory Museum Curator, offers a look at unique items the museum store has to offer for everyone.
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A child wearing a mask holds a doll with a mask while sitting in The Rink at Rockefeller Center as the city continues Phase 4 of re-opening following restrictions imposed to slow the spread of coronavirus on August 02, 2020 in New York City.

Dolls Break Cultural and Racial Barriers

Our newest story explores how the nuanced history of Black dolls in America challenge political, cultural and racial barriers while bringing restorative joy to children during the holiday season and beyond.
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NMAAHC Living History banner

Living History Campaign Honorary Chairs

President and Mrs. George W. Bush, President and Mrs. Barack Obama, and Oprah Winfrey to Join Ken Chenault and Shonda Rhimes to Lead $350 Million Living History Campaign to Extend Museum’s Reach
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Marvin Gaye standing on stage with his hands raised as if praying

"Spirit in the Dark" Exhibition Now Open

Our latest exhibition examines Black religious life through a selection of photographs from the Johnson Publishing Company, publisher of Ebony, Jet and Negro Digest.
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What's Happening at the Museum

A look at all the upcoming programs and events

Photograph of four American soldiers in Vietnam
Special Commemoration

Black Liberation and the Vietnam War

Vietnam was the training ground for many African American junior military personnel who went on to valuable service in the military and American society.

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Portrait of army nurses at Tuskegee Army Air Field.
Collection Story

Victory at Home and Abroad: African American Army Nurses in World War II

Two women who served in the Army Nurse Corps—Lt. Louise Lomax and Maj. Della Raney—are represented in the museum’s collection via scrapbooks they compiled during the war.

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US Navy dress uniform hat worn by Admiral Michelle Howard
Digital Resource

A Legacy of Service

Explore an interactive timeline of African American military contributions and the fight for freedom on Searchable Museum.

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Juneteenth Commemorative Collection. Available for a limited time only! Shop Now