D.C. has several Smithsonian museums that many Washingtonians and visitors cherish, but on Sept. 24, the Smithsonian museums will have a new addition to their family.
Get ready for the new National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) in the beginning of fall. Everyone who comes to the official grand opening and dedication can look forward to exploring the story of America through the lens of the African American experience. And, the Smithsonian has big plans to celebrate this momentous occasion of opening the newest, 19th member of the Smithsonian family.
People from all over will be attending the three-day festival that will offer tons of activities and performances for everyone to enjoy. Beginning on Sept. 23 on the Washington Monument grounds, the NMAAHC will present Freedom Sounds: A Community Celebration.
Freedom Sounds programming will include musical performances, spoken word, oral history activities and evening concerts. For families and large groups to explore, there will be a drum circle, storytelling and interactive workshops. Each performance and activity aims to represent the “numerous cultural threads encompassing our shared African diasporic histories and traditions,” according to the NMAAHC website.
There will also be a number of local, national and international performers performing on two tented stages.
The Freedom Sounds festival will continue on Saturday and will end the Grand Opening Weekend on Sunday evening. There will also be a Dedication Ceremony beginning at 10 a.m. on the day of the opening right outside of the museum for everyone to witness. Don’t worry about the crowd, because there will be large-screen viewing areas to ensure that everyone will be able to experience the ceremony.
The museum will finally open to the public at 1 p.m. until 6 p.m., then on Sunday it will be opened from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. The entire weekend, all performances and activities will be free and open to the public, so no need to worry about any expenses. Just bring your friends and family and pack a couple of homemade sandwiches and beverages so you can experience the entire celebration without leaving to purchase expensive food in the area.
Don’t miss out on this exciting three-day event. Not only is the opening of the museum important to African American history and culture, but it is also important to American history and culture. Whether you’re a museum lover, a fan of the Smithsonian museums, or just looking for something exciting to do on the weekend, everyone can have fun for Grand Opening Weekend and look forward to the opening of this new and interesting addition to the Smithsonian family.
For more information about the opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, click here.