Since opening our doors on September 24, 2016, the museum has engaged millions of people worldwide, sharing the unvarnished truth about African American experiences, advances, and contributions. This month, we celebrate nine years of living history through the stories that connect our past to our present—and our future.
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Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Welcome Home: Our Legacy Continues
More than 300 public programs
More than 45,000 permanent collections
24,000 student groups have visited
95+ awards won since opening
More than 12.6 million visitors from 199 countries worldwide plus all 50 states and DC
56.3 million visitors to the website
2 hours is the average time spent at the museum
Our mission is to capture and share the unvarnished truth of African American history and culture. We connect stories, scholarship, art and artifacts from the past and present to illuminate the contributions, struggles and triumphs that have shaped our nation. We forge new and compelling avenues for audiences to experience the arc of living history.
Our Legacy Continues






