“It’s like art work on the building!” my 7 year old said as we admired the filigree wrapping the outside of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. With a distinctive style and prominent location on the National Mall, D.C.’s newest museum uniquely stands out.
After only one visit, we came away with these first impressions.
Begin on the lowest level, where the earliest African American interactions begin and proceed through the narrow, maze-like History Galleries. They tell the stories of the African Americans from the days of slavery to civil rights as you work your way up the levels. We found the atmosphere crowded and very quiet. The higher we went in the building the more the crowd energy rose, much like the stories themselves.
When difficult displays come up, this sign is posted to warn parents with young or sensitive children.
To see the whole museum, plan a full day visit. Since the museum is attempting to tell a story, the exhibits are best experienced one after the other. The History Galleries alone can take up to an hour to work through. Unlike the other museums on the Mall, the individual exhibits aren’t designed to be seen alone. It’s similar to visiting the Holocaust Museum than a normal Smithsonian exhibit.
For the latest museum info visit Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
