The National Museum of African American History and Culture is a testament to the rich history and culture of African Americans in the United States. Since its opening in 2016, the museum has been a popular destination for visitors from all over the world.
One question that often comes up is, how many artifacts does the National Museum of African American History have? Let’s take a closer look.
The Collection
The National Museum of African American History and Culture has a vast collection of over 37,000 objects that showcase the African American experience. The collection includes everything from photographs and documents to clothing, musical instruments, and even vehicles.
Exhibition Galleries
The museum’s exhibition galleries are divided into three levels: history, community, and culture. Each level features artifacts that tell different stories of African Americans.
Level One: History
The history gallery explores the journey of African Americans from slavery to freedom. The artifacts in this gallery include shackles used in the transatlantic slave trade, Harriet Tubman’s hymnal, Nat Turner’s Bible, and slave narratives written by former slaves.
Level Two: Community
The community gallery highlights the achievements and struggles of African Americans during the Jim Crow era. Artifacts in this gallery include items related to segregation such as signs from “colored only” bathrooms and water fountains as well as items related to activism such as protest signs from the Civil Rights Movement.
Level Three: Culture
The culture gallery celebrates the contributions of African Americans to music, art, literature, sports, and more. Artifacts in this gallery include Chuck Berry’s Cadillac Eldorado, Michael Jackson’s fedora hat worn during his Victory Tour in 1984-85 tour; Prince’s Cloud Guitar; Louis Armstrong’s trumpet; James Brown’s jumpsuit; Nat King Cole’s piano; and Ella Fitzgerald’s dress.
Conclusion
The National Museum of African American History and Culture has an extensive collection of artifacts that showcase the rich history and culture of African Americans. With over 37,000 objects, visitors can explore the journey of African Americans from slavery to freedom, their struggles during the Jim Crow era, and their many contributions to music, art, literature, sports, and more. If you haven’t had a chance to visit this museum yet, it’s definitely worth adding to your bucket list.