RICK: A NEW MUSEUM HAS OPENED – AND IT’S NOT JUST A FIRST FOR THE CITY OF WASHINGTON, D.C. – IT’S A FIRST FOR AMERICA.
DIANNE GALLAGHER GIVES US A LOOK AT THE NEW MUSEUM THAT JUST OPENED – AND WHICH CELEBRATES THE UNIQUE HISTORY OF AFRICAN AMERICANS.
DIANE: SITUATED ON AMERICA'S FRONT YARD...
IN THE SHADOW OF THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT...
NOW SITS THE FINAL PIECE OF THE NATIONAL MALL... THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE
AN IMPOSING, MAJESTIC PROJECT MORE THAN A CENTURY IN THE MAKING...
(Lonnie Bunch, Director, National Museum of African American History and Culture) this is a place that looks back, that revels in the past, but points us to the future
THE SMITHSONIAN'S 19TH MUSEUM SHOWCASES THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY PARTS OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN EXPERIENCE...
400 YEARS COME TO LIFE IN MORE THAN 30-THOUSAND ARTIFACTS.
(Lonnie Bunch, Director, National Museum of African American History and Culture) you get to remember all these people who have been left out of history, therefore their lives matter. their stories matter. the other thing you do, is this is framed in a way that says, this is everybody's story. It's not black people's story, it's the story of America.
...FEATURING THE HIGHEST OF THE HIGHS...BARACK OBAMA'S PRESIDENTIAL INAGURATION
AND THE LOWEST OF THE LOWS... LIKE THESE TINY SHACKLES USED ON CHILDREN OR THIS 1835 BILL OF SALE FOR A 16-YEAR-OLD GIRL CALLED POLLY.
THE MUSEUM IS STILL PUTTING ON THE FINISHNG TOUCHES- BUT FOR A PROJECT THAT BEGAN WITH ZERO ARTIFACTS- THE DEBUT COLLECTION IS ASTOUNDING- FROM SLAVE AND FREEMANS CABINS- A STEARMAN BIPLANE FLOWN BY THE TUSKEEGEE AIRMEN- A GREENSBORO LUNCH COUNTER
AND SLAVE REVOLT LEADER, NAT TURNER'S, BIBLE. - TO CHUCK BERRY'S CANDY RED CADILLAC AND GEORGE CLINTON'S P-FUNK MOTHERSHIP
(Lonnie Bunch, Director, National Museum of African American History and Culture) the goal was to find that tension between moments of tears and moments of great joy
ARCHITECTS WORKED FOR YEARS ON IT'S UNIQUE DESIGN... THE SHAPE REMINSCENT OF AN AFRICAN HEADDRESS. THE INTRICATE FACADE INSPIRED BY THE IRON WORK OF SLAVES IN CHARLESTON AND NEW ORLEANS...
(Phil Freelon, Lead Architect, National Museum of African American History and Culture) We felt it was important for the building to be distinctive in some way and not to be another marble box on the mall.
THE MUSEUM OPENS TO THE PUBLIC SEPTEMBER 24TH.
Instructional Links
Website: National Museum of African-American History and Culture https://nmaahc.si.edu
Magazine Article & Chart: Scholastic News, A Sneak Peek into History, Feb. 2, 2016 http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=prh&AN=112611245&site=ehk5-
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