Anacostia Community Museum Celebrates 58th Anniversary With “A Night at the Museum”

The Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum will welcome visitors 21 years and older for its annual “A Night at the Museum” event Thursday, Sept. 18, from 7–10 p.m. The event celebrates the museum’s 58th anniversary with after-hours access, live performances and small bites. 

This year’s theme “Under the Stars” invites visitors to join for an hour longer than past years, extending the time for connection and discovery. Held in the plaza of the museum, the celebration will feature Joi Carter and band performing genre-bending melodies, with songs that blend funk, pop, jazz and more into a unique sound. Enjoy free bites from local favorite Flavor Hive, plus complimentary beer and wine available with ID. This is an indoor-outdoor event, and registration is highly recommended.

The museum’s current exhibition, “A Bold and Beautiful Vision: A Century of Black Arts Education in Washington, DC, 1900–2000,” will also be open for late-night exploration. The exhibition shares the stories of the teachers and students who made Washington a truly unparalleled center for Black arts education, including original artworks and personal items from local luminaries like Sam Gilliam, Alma Thomas and Elizabeth Catlett.

About the Museum

Founded in 1967, the Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum shares the untold and often overlooked stories of communities in the greater Washington, D.C., region. In celebrating stories of resiliency, joy and strength, the museum inspires those who visit to translate their ideas into action. For more information about the museum, visit the museum’s website or follow the museum on X, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

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