NEWS

A look at the National Museum of African American History and Culture

The new Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
The new Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Jarrad Henderson, USA TODAY
Members of the media view "The Founding of America" exhibit on the bottom floor during the media preview for the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, on Sept. 14, 2016
Members of the media view "The Founding of America" exhibit on the bottom floor during the media preview for the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, on Sept. 14, 2016
Jarrad Henderson, USA TODAY
useum curator Nancy Bercaw, center, is surrounded by members of the media while explaining the slave cabin exhibit behind her during the media preview for the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, on Sept. 14, 2016.
useum curator Nancy Bercaw, center, is surrounded by members of the media while explaining the slave cabin exhibit behind her during the media preview for the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, on Sept. 14, 2016.
Jarrad Henderson, USA TODAY
A life-size sculpture records the moment at the 1968 Olympics when Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their fists in the air on the medal podium, seen here during the media preview for the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, on Sept. 15, 2016.
A life-size sculpture records the moment at the 1968 Olympics when Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their fists in the air on the medal podium, seen here during the media preview for the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, on Sept. 15, 2016.
Jarrad Henderson, USA TODAY
A 20-foot prison guard tower from the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola, erected between the 1930s and 1940s, which was built on former plantation land is seen during the media preview for the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, on Sept. 14, 2016.
A 20-foot prison guard tower from the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola, erected between the 1930s and 1940s, which was built on former plantation land is seen during the media preview for the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, on Sept. 14, 2016.
Jarrad Henderson, USA TODAY
Pro Football Hall of Famer Bobby Mitchell, one of the first players to integrate the Washington Redskins in 1962, watches and listens to an interactive story during the media preview for the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, on Sept. 14, 2016. Mitchell has a exhibit of his own in the sports section of the museum.
Pro Football Hall of Famer Bobby Mitchell, one of the first players to integrate the Washington Redskins in 1962, watches and listens to an interactive story during the media preview for the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, on Sept. 14, 2016. Mitchell has a exhibit of his own in the sports section of the museum.
Jarrad Henderson, USA TODAY
Museum Director Lonnie Bunch stands in-front of one of the engravement walls of the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Museum Director Lonnie Bunch stands in-front of one of the engravement walls of the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Paul Holston, AP
An artifact of Air Force Capt. Matthew Quy's plane, one of the few surviving planes that were used to train the Tuskegee Airmen is ready for display at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
An artifact of Air Force Capt. Matthew Quy's plane, one of the few surviving planes that were used to train the Tuskegee Airmen is ready for display at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Paul Holston, AP
An exhibit depicting the presidency and the life of President Barack Obama and his family at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
An exhibit depicting the presidency and the life of President Barack Obama and his family at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Paul Holston, AP
An art piece depicting the Civil Rights movement at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
An art piece depicting the Civil Rights movement at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Paul Holston, AP
An art piece depicting the Black Lives Matter movement within the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
An art piece depicting the Black Lives Matter movement within the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Paul Holston, AP
A view from the fourth floor, looking south, inside the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
A view from the fourth floor, looking south, inside the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Mandel Ngan, AFP/Getty Images
This Angola Prison Guard Tower is a —20-foot-tall tower used by prison guards to watch prisoners at the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola.
This Angola Prison Guard Tower is a —20-foot-tall tower used by prison guards to watch prisoners at the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola.
Chelsea Land, USA TODAY
An art piece representing hip-hop group Public Enemy within the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
An art piece representing hip-hop group Public Enemy within the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Chelsea Land, USA TODAY
One of the displays in the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture.
One of the displays in the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Chelsea Land, USA TODAY
A weatherboard-clad slave cabin used during slavery at Point of Pines Plantation on Edisto Island, S.C. is on display at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
A weatherboard-clad slave cabin used during slavery at Point of Pines Plantation on Edisto Island, S.C. is on display at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Chelsea Land, USA TODAY
July 18, 2016 -- Washington -- Two-story freedman’s cabin from Poolesville, Md -- Photo by Chelsea Land, USA TODAY staff ORG XMIT: CL 135193 07/18/2016 [Via MerlinFTP Drop]
July 18, 2016 -- Washington -- Two-story freedman’s cabin from Poolesville, Md -- Photo by Chelsea Land, USA TODAY staff ORG XMIT: CL 135193 07/18/2016 [Via MerlinFTP Drop]
Chelsea Land, USA TODAY
This yet-to-be uncovered display features Oprah Winfrey at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
This yet-to-be uncovered display features Oprah Winfrey at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Chelsea Land, USA TODAY
Construction continues on the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., but the museum is slated to open by late September.
Construction continues on the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., but the museum is slated to open by late September.
Andrew Harnik, AP