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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

location

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
(Ground Level)
Eat at America’s Table is the main eatery at the museum. The menu includes traditional culinary dishes from our nation’s kitchens, cheese and charcuterie, and classic American sandwiches, great American barbecue and grill favorites (burgers, hot dogs, pulled pork sandwiches etc…) as well as cooking inspired by Tex-Mex and Native-American traditions. The café also offers classic salads made fresh with seasonal inspiration.
Guests will find freshly brewed coffee as well as wine, beer, and other bottled beverages. All desserts are made in house.
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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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    How Can You Forget Me: Filipino American Stories Added

    How Can You Forget Me: Filipino American Stories Removed

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    How Can You Forget Me: Filipino American Stories

    Explore the overlooked history of a trailblazing Filipino community in California from the 1910s to the 1970s.

    December 23, 2025 – November 28, 2027

    American History Museum

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    Corazón y vida: Lowriding Culture Added

    Corazón y vida: Lowriding Culture Removed

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    Corazón y vida: Lowriding Culture

    This vibrant, bilingual exhibition showcases the unique car-making tradition of lowriding culture with photos, graphics, and two classic cars.

    September 26, 2025 – TBD

    American History Museum

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    The Gunboat Philadelphia Preservation Project Added

    The Gunboat Philadelphia Preservation Project Removed

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    The Gunboat Philadelphia Preservation Project

    Follow the preservation of the gunboat USS Philadelphia, an iconic reminder of the spirit of the American Revolution.

    August 22, 2025 – Ongoing

    American History Museum

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    Road Warriors/Guerreros de la carretera Added

    Road Warriors/Guerreros de la carretera Removed

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    Road Warriors/Guerreros de la carretera

    This robotic vehicle demonstrates promising research advances in artificial intelligence and driverless vehicles. 

    July 23, 2024 – Fall/Winter 2026

    American History Museum

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    Zen And the Open Road Added

    Zen And the Open Road Removed

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    Zen And the Open Road

    In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, the author's 1966 Honda Super Hawk motorcycle is on display.

    April 15, 2024 – Ongoing

    American History Museum

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    Change YOUR Game Added

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    Change YOUR Game

    A family-friendly, interactive exhibition on the intersection of invention, sports, and technology.

    March 15, 2024 – Ongoing

    American History Museum

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    Treasures and Trouble: Looking Inside a Legendary Blues Archive Added

    Treasures and Trouble: Looking Inside a Legendary Blues Archive Removed

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    Treasures and Trouble: Looking Inside a Legendary Blues Archive

    Highlights from a one-of-a-kind archive documenting the blues as compiled by Robert “Mack” McCormick are featured in the museum’s Archives Center cases. 

    June 23, 2023 – Ongoing

    American History Museum

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    Entertainment Nation Added

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    Entertainment Nation

    Entertainment Nation examines how entertainment brings Americans together, shapes us, and provides a forum for important national conversations.

    December 9, 2022 – Indefinitely

    American History Museum

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    Rallying against Racism Added

    Rallying against Racism Removed

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    Rallying against Racism

    This display features the “Fight the Virus, NOT the People” COVID-19 Banner, donated by the San Francisco Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA). 

    October 1, 2022 – November 2025

    American History Museum

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    We Belong Here: Marking the 50th Anniversary of Title IX Added

    We Belong Here: Marking the 50th Anniversary of Title IX Removed

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    We Belong Here: Marking the 50th Anniversary of Title IX

    Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the federal legislation that unintentionally helped bring equality to sports.

    June 23, 2022 – November 2025

    American History Museum

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    Really BIG Money Added

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    Really BIG Money

    Artifacts and activities help young visitors understand that money can be a powerful and memorable way to learn about the world.

    April 8, 2022 – Indefinitely

    American History Museum

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    The Only One in the Room: Women Achievers in Business and the Cost of Success Added

    The Only One in the Room: Women Achievers in Business and the Cost of Success Removed

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    The Only One in the Room: Women Achievers in Business and the Cost of Success

    This display features the stories of eight strong women who made it to the top.

    November 20, 2020 – TBA

    American History Museum

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    America's Listening Added

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    America's Listening

    America's Listening tells the story of recorded sound and innovations that contributed to how we consume music and movies today.

    October 19, 2018 – Indefinitely

    American History Museum

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    Art in Industry Added

    Art in Industry Removed

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    Art in Industry

    Art in Industry looks back at a time when Americans embraced artistic skills as a way to build a consumer-oriented industrial economy.

    March 22, 2018 – TBA

    American History Museum

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    Waterloo Boy Added

    Waterloo Boy Removed

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    Waterloo Boy

    The development and use of gasoline-powered tractors in the early 1900s helped change the business of American farming.

    February 22, 2018 – Indefinitely

    American History Museum

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    Wallace H. Coulter Unity Square Added

    Wallace H. Coulter Unity Square Removed

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    Wallace H. Coulter Unity Square

    Wallace H. Coulter Unity Square is where history will inspire you to participate—in the museum and in civic life.

    June 28, 2017 – Permanent

    American History Museum

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    Many Voices, One Nation Added

    Many Voices, One Nation Removed

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    Many Voices, One Nation

    Explore the 500-year journey of how many distinct peoples and cultures shaped and negotiated the culture of the U.S.

    June 28, 2017 – Permanent

    American History Museum

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    American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith Added

    American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith Removed

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    American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith

    Presents national treasures that represent American democracy—based on the bold American experiment to create a government “of the people, by the people and for the people.”

    June 28, 2017 – Permanent

    American History Museum

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    Greensboro Lunch Counter Added

    Greensboro Lunch Counter Removed

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    Greensboro Lunch Counter

    The sit-in of four African American college students at this Woolworth counter helped ignite a youth-led movement to challenge inequality throughout the South.

    June 28, 2017 – Indefinitely

    American History Museum

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    Giving in America Added

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    Giving in America

    Giving in America looks at the history of philanthropy in United States, commemorating the movements and people who made and continue to make a difference.

    November 29, 2016 – Permanent

    American History Museum

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    Always Ready: Firefighting in the 19th Century Added

    Always Ready: Firefighting in the 19th Century Removed

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    Always Ready: Firefighting in the 19th Century

    Explores how the role of citizens in fighting fire changed dramatically over the 19th century along with the technology.

    September 16, 2016 – November 2025

    American History Museum

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    Wegmans Wonderplace Added

    Wegmans Wonderplace Removed

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    Wegmans Wonderplace

    Wegmans Wonderplace welcomes curious kids ages 0–6 and their grownups. Please also note that children may not visit Wegmans Wonderplace without an adult. Please check our events calendar for the latest hours.

    December 9, 2015 – Indefinitely

    American History Museum

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    Inventing in America Added

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    Inventing in America

    This exhibition focuses on inventions and innovators of the past and present, including Samuel Morse, Alexander Graham Bell, and Thomas Edison. 

    July 1, 2015 – Indefinitely

    American History Museum

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    Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project Added

    Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project Removed

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    Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project

    In Object Project, visitors consider the impact of innovative things on everyday life in the past.

    July 1, 2015 – Permanent

    American History Museum

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    Spark!Lab Added

    Spark!Lab Removed

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    Spark!Lab

    Open Wednesday–Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Spark!Lab reveals the real story behind inventors’ work through hands-on activities that help kids and families learn about the history and process of invention. Hours are subject to change.

    July 1, 2015 – Indefinitely

    American History Museum

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    American Enterprise Added

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    American Enterprise

    Learn how business and innovation helped the United States develop from a small dependent agricultural nation to one of the world's largest economies.

    July 1, 2015 – Permanent

    American History Museum

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    The Value of Money Added

    The Value of Money Removed

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    The Value of Money

    The Value of Money examines global histories of exchange, cultural interaction, political change, and innovation.

    July 1, 2015 – Indefinitely

    American History Museum

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    Big Band Added

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    Big Band

    “Big Band” by American painter LeRoy Neimanm features a composition of 18 iconic jazz musicians, together in what he envisioned to be his “dream” band.

    March 31, 2015 – Indefinitely

    American History Museum


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  • View all American History Museum exhibitions arrow-right

Ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz

Prince's Yellow Cloud Electric Guitar

Archie Bunker's Chair from All in the Family

Stool from the Greensboro Lunch Counter

Declaration of Independence Desk

George Washington's Uniform

Edison "New Year's Eve" Lamp

Patch, L’Ecole Des Trois Gourmandes

Steam Locomotive, John Bull

Abraham Lincoln's Top Hat

Arithmetic School, a Toy by Playskool

Star-Spangled Banner, NMAH

Alexander Graham Bell's Large Box Telephone

Apple Macintosh Mouse

Plymouth Rock fragment with painted inscription, 1830

Boxing Gloves worn by Muhammad Ali

Conestoga Wagon

C-3PO, from Return of the Jedi

50 Dollars, Kellogg & Co., United States, 1855

"We Can Do It!"

Harley-Davidson Motorcycle, 1942

Teddy Bear

Cesar Chavez's Union Jacket

John Deere Plow

Microscope

Sunstone Capital

Swanson TV Dinner Tray

Fisher-Price Little People Play Family House

NBC "Fireside Chat" Microphone

Technics Turntable, used by Grandmaster Flash

Barbie Doll

Hershey's Tropical Chocolate Bar

John L. Lewis' Union Badge

RMS Titanic Life Vest

McDonald's Restaurant Sign for the Japanese Market, 1975


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