National Museum of American History
Background
Opened in January 1964 as the National Museum of History and Technology, the museum was renamed the National Museum of American History in October 1980 to more accurately reflect its scope of interests and responsibilities. The museum is located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., near the Washington Monument.
Collections
The museum is responsible for the acquisition, care and preservation of more than 1.8 million objects and 3 shelf-miles of archival collections, representing the nation’s heritage in the areas of science, technology, society and culture. The collections include the Star-Spangled Banner, First Ladies gowns, a Samuel Morse telegraph, locomotives, tools, Dorothy’s Ruby Slippers, an Alexander Graham Bell telephone, flags, American-made quilts, Muhammad Ali’s boxing gloves, Duke Ellington’s sheet music and presidential artifacts.
Selected Permanent Exhibitions
American Democracy: The Great Leap of Faith: This exhibition explores the history of citizen participation, debate and compromise from the nation’s formation through today. Covering the American past from the Revolution to the present, this exhibition will trace the unfolding of this American experiment through the museum’s national treasures and representative artifacts to examine our founding political principles, including democracy, freedom and equality.
American Enterprise: This exhibition tells the story of the nation’s business, centering on themes of opportunity, innovation, competition and the search for common good in the American marketplace.
America on the Move: This 26,000-square-foot exhibition features more than 300 artifacts—from the 1903 Winton that was the first car to traverse the United States to the 199-ton, 92-foot-long “1401” locomotive—showcased in period settings.
“Entertainment Nation”/”Nación del espectáculo”: A major refresh to this permanent exhibition will bring some 60 popular culture objects to “Entertainment Nation,” the museum’s vibrant showcasing of its vast collections related to theater, music, sports, movie and television. The exhibition invites audiences to look through the lens of how entertainment brings Americans together, shaping and providing a forum for important national conversations. Among new objects on display are a number reflecting African American contributions in film, music and sports. The “Ruby Slippers” are featured in a special spotlight case within this exhibition. At 7,200 square feet, the exhibition anchors the third floor of the museum’s Culture Wing.
FOOD: Transforming the American Table: This exhibition includes Julia Child's Kitchen and explores how new technologies and various social and cultural shifts in the second half of the 20th century influenced major changes in food, wine and eating in America.
Many Voices, One Nation: This exhibition takes visitors on a chronological and thematic journey that maps the cultural geography of the unique and complex stories that animate the Latin emblem on the country’s Great Seal and its national ideal: E pluribus Unum, Out of many, one.
Price of Freedom: Americans at War: A survey of the U.S. military history from the Colonial era to the present, this 18,000-square-foot exhibition explores ways that wars have been defining episodes in American history. The American Revolution-era Gunboat Philadelphia is also on display on the third floor.
The American Presidency: This exhibition explores the personal, public, ceremonial and executive actions of the 44 men who have had a huge impact on the course of history in the past 250 years.
The First Ladies: This exhibition looks at the ways first ladies have shaped their role as the role of women in society evolved. This display features more than two dozen gowns, including those of Michelle Obama, Barbara Bush, Nancy Reagan and Jacqueline Kennedy.
Star-Spangled Banner: An abstract flag, 40 feet long and up to 19 feet high, soars above the entrance to the Star-Spangled Banner gallery. Inside, the 30-by-34-foot wool-and-cotton flag that inspired the national anthem is displayed in a setting with floor-to-ceiling glass windows, designed to evoke the “dawn’s early light.”
Hands-On Spaces
Draper Spark!Lab: This space provides opportunities for children and families to explore their inventive creativity—to create, innovate, collaborate and problem solve.
Wegmans Wonderplace: This is the first gallery on the National Mall designed for children up to 6 years old. The gallery features more than 100 objects and six sections each of play-based interdisciplinary experiences, combining artifact displays with fun hands-on activities to engage young children and their families.
Online Presence
The museum has an innovative digital outreach program. From its websites to its blog and social-networking presence, millions of visitors experience the museum on-screen. Digital interaction has become increasingly integral to the museum’s outreach activities and its educational goals.
About the Museum
Through incomparable collections, rigorous research and dynamic public outreach, the National Museum of American History seeks to empower people to create a more just and compassionate future by examining, preserving and sharing the complexity of our past. The museum, located on Constitution Avenue N.W., between 12th and 14th streets, is open daily except Dec. 25, between 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Admission is free. The doors of the museum are always open online and the virtual museum continues to expand its offerings, including online exhibitions, PK–12 educational materials and programs. The public can follow the museum on Instagram and Facebook. For more information, go to https://americanhistory.si.edu. For Smithsonian information, the public may call (202) 633-1000.
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SI-37-2025
