The American Story Through the African American Lens
From Harriet Tubman to Black Lives Matter, journey with us as we celebrate American history through the African American lens.
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Powerful moments in African American
history, culture, and community.
Collection Stories
Clara Ellis Payne Collection
The story of Clara Ellis Payne’s family is both remarkable and representative of the paradoxes the United States was founded on.
African Muslims in Early America
Islam has been a piece of the American religious fabric since the first settlers arrived in North America.
The Lynching of Matthew Williams
Whether used in remote backwoods, on the side of a bridge, or on a courthouse lawn, the lynch rope is one of this nation’s most compelling and enduring symbols of lynching.
The Woman with the Violin
Violinist Ginger Smock was a critical figure in the development of the Los Angeles jazz scene and a trailblazing leader for female musicians in the male-dominated music industry of the 1940s and 1950s.
Seeing Black Women in Power
Photography and art of black women in the 1960s and 1970s created a new space of recognition, making clear the necessity of black women’s voices to movements for equality.
Explore the Collection
Discover signature objects from the Museum's collection as we celebrate #HipHopHistory in October.
The African American experience is the lens through which we understand what it is to be an American.
Lonnie G. Bunch III Founding Director, NMAAHC
