National Museum of African-American History and Culture (NMAAHC)

The Grand Opening Weekend of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African-American History and Culture (NMAAHC) took place September 23 – 25, 2016.

The NMAAHC is located on the National Mall and its bold Yoruba inspired design fits perfectly within the grandiose DC cityscape.  The NMAAHC is located at 200 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20230 and the closest metro stop is the Smithsonian Station on the Blue, Orange, and Silver line. 

The Smithsonian Institute, the world’s largest museum and research complex, opened its 19th museum, the NMAAHC, a 170 years after its founding.  The NMAAHC was created in 2003 by an act of Congress and it is the only Smithsonian museum that is dedicated to the accomplishments of African-Americans throughout American history and celebrates the numerous cultural contributions that African-Americans have lent to the unique tapestry of American culture.

Although the NMAAHC is exclusively devoted to documentation of African-American life, history, culture, and art, it is a monument that holds significance to all Americans.  The unpresented amount of donations that came from all across the country is a testament to significance of the NMAAHC.  

For more information on the NMAAHC, please visit the NMAAHC website (https://nmaahc.si.edu/).

Entry Passes

To best serve the public, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) will introduce new ways of obtaining passes for entry to the museum. Starting Monday, Dec. 19, the museum made the following changes:

• The museum will no longer distribute same-day, in-person passes at 9:15 a.m. daily.
• A limited number of walk-up passes will be available starting at 1 p.m. on weekdays.
• No walk-up passes will be available on weekends due to high visitation.
• Same-day, online, timed passes will be available only through the museum’s website, nmaahc.si.edu beginning at 6:30 a.m. daily.
• Non-commercial group visits of 10 or more, including student groups, will now be available for scheduling up to one year in advance by visiting nmaahc.si.edu/groups.

Beginning Jan. 4, 2017, NMAAHC will issue advance timed passes for April 2017. Advance timed passes will be available online starting at 9 a.m. by visiting nmaahc.si.edu or by calling 866-297-4020. Advance timed passes for May 2017 will be available starting Feb. 1, 2017.

The museum will be open on Inauguration Day, Jan. 20, but there will be no same-day online passes or any walk-up passes.  
Passes are required for entrance into the museum and will continue indefinitely. Passes may be printed or displayed on a smartphone. There is no limit on the amount of time visitors spend inside the museum. 

Security

Security screenings are required to enter the museum.