I could spend even more weeks talking about The National Museum of African-American History and Culture and explaining why it is so powerful, but the truth is words do not do it justice. It is one of those places that must be experienced to truly be appreciated. So now that I have (hopefully) convinced you to plan a trip to our country’s capital, here are a few things you should know before you arrive.
Give yourself enough time
Unlike most museums, which can be viewed from beginning to end in a couple of hours, The National Museum of African-American History and Culture simply cannot be. It is impossible, and I am speaking from experience. There are too many exhibits and galleries covering such a long time period that it just cannot be done. Not to mention the crowd (which is usually always at capacity) is much too large to quickly maneuver around. Plan to be at the museum until it closes at 5:30 p.m.
Use public transportation
Being that the museum is in the center of the city on the national mall, there is virtually no public parking around. Eliminate the stress of searching for a parking spot, re-feeding your meter once you are inside or having to walk several blocks by taking public transportation. Once you are inside exploring, the last thing you will want to think about is how much time is left on your meter. And once you have spent the entire day walking from floor to floor, you will not want to walk all the way back to your car. Ride the bus, jump on the Metro, find a cab or call an Uber. Do anything but drive. You can visit WMATA.com to get the most up-to-date information about the Metro and buses.
Dress appropriately
As I have stated, your visit will include a lot of walking, so the shoes you choose to wear will play a big role in how comfortable your trip is. I suggest wearing something flat with a good arch support. That will allow you to focus on the information being provided instead of how your feet feel. If you are visiting during the winter months, the museum does have lockers where you can store your coat (or other belongings). However, lockers are not always available because of the large crowds. I suggest wearing a coat you would not mind keeping on or carrying all day. If you are visiting in the summer, I suggest bringing a lightweight jacket because galleries (especially below ground) can get cool. Also, women should plan to bring smaller bags if possible. It would expedite the security process as you enter, and no one wants to have a 10-pound bag on her shoulder while walking all day long.
Same day passes are often available
If you are in D.C. but were not able to secure advanced entry passes to the museum before you arrived, do not let that stop you from trying. If you are in town, this museum is a MUST. Luckily, the museum offers a few same-day passes online at 6:30 a.m. every single morning. There are also a handful of walk-up passes available to the public on weekdays at 1 p.m.
The museum should be viewed from the bottom up
Please don’t be that person that thinks one gallery or exhibit is more important than the others. Trust the curators and their vision. The museum was meant to be viewed from the bottom up; therefore, visitors should do so. Everything moves chronologically, so if you choose to move around out of order you are more likely to misinterpret the message or lose it completely.
Do not miss the Contemplative Court
Built to honor the acclaimed historian John Hope Franklin and all his efforts in making this museum a reality, the Contemplative Court acts as a place of serenity for visitors to reflect, which for me came at the perfect time. My tour guide, who just so happened to be the son of John Hope Franklin, had just taken me through all the history exhibits. I had witnessed the brutality of slavery, the inhumane acts of segregation, and how even in modern times African-Americans are still treated unfairly. But then we arrived at a display honoring Barak Obama’s inauguration, and I couldn’t help but get emotional because after all we had been through and all we had fought for, we finally broke that glass ceiling. The Contemplative Court, with its running water and natural light, gave me that peaceful moment to be proud of all that my ancestors had endured and achieved.
Share your story
Take a minute of two to share a memory passed down that someone from your family has shared with you. Nothing is too small, too insignificant or even too current to not be shared. History can only be told if people take the time to record it. You may be surprised to know how your great-great-great grandmother’s story about how she learned how to make collards has historical significance.
Stand in line for the Emmett Till exhibit
I know lines can be daunting, and the last thing you want to do is wait 30 minutes when you are not even halfway through the museum, but the exhibit honoring the Emmett Till tragedy should not be missed. The feeling you’ll get once you’ve walked through that room is worth the wait—no matter how long.
Make a point to eat at the Sweet Home Café
The Sweet Home Café isn’t your average museum café with a few cold sandwiches and a collection of stale chips. Instead, renowned chefs offer visitors authentic traditional, as well as present-day, food choices. Four geographic regions and cuisine types divide the café: the agricultural south, the Creole coast, the northern states and the western range.
Don’t forget about the cultural galleries
Sure, history is important and those exhibits should be viewed, but don’t allow yourself to leave before exploring the cultural galleries, no matter how exhausted you are. It’s here you’ll find the performance costumes of your favorite Black entertainers, artifacts from popular Black films and almost anything else that Black culture would recognize (think hair picks and paper bags for “the brown paper bag test”). They even have interactive booths that allow you to make your own beat or learn a step dance used by historically Black fraternities and sororities.
Megan Pinckney (@shadesofpinck) is a retired beauty queen turned lifestyle blogger who loves exploring the world and writing about it.