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  7. National Museum of American History
American History Museum

National Museum of American History

Hours

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10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily
Closed Dec. 25

Location

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1300 Constitution Ave., NW
Washington, DC

map View Floor Plan , download pdf

ticket Free, no passes needed

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About

Devoted to the scientific, cultural, social, technological, and political development of the United States, the museum traces the American experience from colonial times to the present. The American History Museum’s collection contains more than three million historical objects—including the famed Star-Spangled Banner—and documents that explore the evolution of the American identity.

Highlights

Star-Spangled Banner; Washington’s uniform; Jefferson’s lap desk; Dorothy’s ruby slippers; American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith.

MetroAccess

To provide an address for MetroAccess Paratransit, please use 1300 Constitution Ave., NW.

We encourage the use of Metrorail and Metrobus.

Metrorail

Metro Station: Federal Triangle or Smithsonian (Mall exit)

Nearest Accessible Metro Entrance:
Federal Triangle
West side of 12th St., NW, between Pennsylvania and Constitution Ave., NW

Check Metrorail's Elevator and Escalator Service Status page for service disruptions.

Parking

There is no public parking facility for Smithsonian museums on the National Mall. A limited number of city-operated metered parking spaces are available, including several accessible parking spaces.

View a map of accessible parking spaces.

Reserved parking near the museums can be purchased in advance through ParkWhiz.
Note: ParkWhiz is a third-party vendor (ParkWhiz Privacy Policy).

Dining

Eat at America's Table
Eat at America's Table Cafe will be closed for maintenance from Monday, January 12 - Thursday, March 5. The Jazz Cafe will be open with an expanded menu.

Jazz Café 
(1st Floor)
Enjoy a specialty coffee, cold drink, light lunch, or delicious pastry.
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For assistance with/information on group dining, please visit Group Sales.


Shopping

Main Museum Store
1 Center
202.633.7400

This vast 6,000-square-foot store is centrally located on the first floor. Visitors may browse through merchandise inspired by the museum’s collection, apparel, home accessories, ornaments, personalized leather bracelets, jewelry, books, and the most incredible selection of socks! 

Mall Museum Store
2 Center
Located at the Mall entrance to the Museum, the Mall Store is the best place for museum souvenirs, a trendy accessory, fun jewelry and a snack to keep you fueled for your next museum visit.

Or shop online.

See Getting Here for information on accessible parking and public transportation.

Accessibility Information and Programs

  • Smithsonian accessibility for visitors
  • Museum accessibility details

Disability access service requests: call 202.633.3717 or email NMAH tours

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    Food: Transforming the American Table Added

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    Food: Transforming the American Table

    This mouth-watering exhibition explores the social changes that have changed how we eat and features Julia Child's kitchen.

    November 20, 2012 – Indefinitely

    American History Museum

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    The First Ladies Added

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    The First Ladies

    Learn how first ladies have shaped the role of first lady as the role of women in society evolved. 

    November 19, 2011 – Indefinitely

    American History Museum

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    On the Water: Stories from Maritime America Added

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    On the Water: Stories from Maritime America

    This exhibition traces American maritime history from 18th-century sailing ships, to 19th-century steamboats and fishing craft, to today's huge container ships.

    May 22, 2009 – Permanent

    American History Museum

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    Landmark Objects Added

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    Landmark Objects

    Large, iconic artifacts in the main corridor of each floor of the East and West Wings highlight the key themes of the exhibitions in the wing.

    November 21, 2008 – Permanent

    American History Museum

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    The Star-Spangled Banner: The Flag that Inspired the National Anthem Added

    The Star-Spangled Banner: The Flag that Inspired the National Anthem Removed

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    The Star-Spangled Banner: The Flag that Inspired the National Anthem

    The sight of those “broad stripes and bright stars” inspired Francis Scott Key to write a song that eventually became the United States national anthem.

    November 21, 2008 – Permanent

    American History Museum

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    The Price of Freedom: Americans at War Added

    The Price of Freedom: Americans at War Removed

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    The Price of Freedom: Americans at War

    This exhibition surveys the history of America's military from the Colonial Era to the conflict in Iraq. 

    November 11, 2004 – Permanent

    American History Museum

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    Taking America to Lunch Added

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    Taking America to Lunch

    On view are more than 50 children's and workers' illustrated metal lunch boxes and beverage containers dating from the 1890s through the 1980s to celebrate the history and endurance of American lunch boxes.

    April 13, 2004 – Indefinitely

    American History Museum

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    America on the Move Added

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    America on the Move

    This exhibition examines how transportation—from 1876 to 1999—has shaped our American identity.

    November 22, 2003 – Permanent

    American History Museum

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    Within These Walls Added

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    Within These Walls

    The house and the exhibition that surrounds it tell the stories of five of the many families who lived there from the mid-1760s to 1945.

    May 16, 2001 – Permanent

    American History Museum

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    The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden Added

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    The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden

    This exhibition explores the public, personal, ceremonial, and executive boundaries of the presidency.

    November 15, 2000 – Permanent

    American History Museum

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    Lighting a Revolution Added

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    Lighting a Revolution

    This exhibition reveals how Thomas Edison's incandescent electric light bulb and other inventions transformed our world.

    October 9, 1979 – Permanent

    American History Museum

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    Power Machinery Added

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    Power Machinery

    This hall follows the development of the increasingly efficient power machinery that helped the United States become a world leader during the Industrial Revolution.

    January 22, 1964 – Permanent

    American History Museum

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    The Dolls' House Added

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    The Dolls' House

    This dollhouse and its 800 miniature furnishings represent a romantic view of the life of a large and affluent American family in the early 1900s.

    Opened 1951 – Indefinitely

    American History Museum


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  • View all American History Museum exhibitions arrow-right

Babe Ruth Autographed Baseball

Bracket Clock

Burroughs Class 3 Adding Machine

The Partridge Family Lunch Box


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