The National Museum of African American History and Culture is a significant addition to the Smithsonian museums. This museum is worth at least a day of any visit to DC. The tour appropriately begins at the lower level and gradually raises us, with our consciousness, to the light where we all stand on the same level.
We expect to hear the horrific story about the long and tortuous period of American Slavery. The brute force of the artifacts and stories of wounded bodies and souls illustrate how American Slavery grew into a unique and oppressive system within the context of historical records of temporary enslavement and other oppressive near-enslavement conditions around the world.
The signs and pictures inform the path toward freedom, which was slow and marked by much pain, suffering, and false hope.
Segregation is all too recent for people in my generation. And the images come alive in the form of videos and giant exhibits -- a lunch counter, a bus, a prison guard tower.
We hear speeches, see TV shows of yesteryear, and images of change.
The experience is well-organized and thought provoking.
The lower levels can be crowded due to narrow passages.
Many signs are hard to read because of the dim lighting in parts.
Photography is permitted without flash but of course, there is a glare due to the lighting and many items enclosed in glass.
There are places for research and centers where people can learn more.
The food in the cafeteria is as good or better than other Smithsonian food services. The prices are high as in the other museums. Food and drinks (except water) are not permitted in the museum.
There is no entry fee.
There is a museum store but lines were long so we did not enter the store.
The rest rooms were well-maintained.
Check the website for details on hours and getting an entry pass.
https://nmaahc.si.edu/
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Geoffrey W. Sutton
www.suttong.com
PLACES TO VISIT IN WASHINGTON DC
Here’s a few places to see along with some photos and links
to information.
Monuments and Memorials
Museums
And here’s my webpage www.suttong.com
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