Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture

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Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture Journey through the lens of the African American experience. Smithsonian Terms of Use: https://www.si.edu/termsofuse

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George Washington Carver was a renowned botanist and inventor. Although he didn't invent peanut butter, his extensive re...
10/13/2026

George Washington Carver was a renowned botanist and inventor. Although he didn't invent peanut butter, his extensive research on the uses of peanuts earned him the nickname, "The Peanut Man."

His agricultural research sought to help Black farmers. While teaching at Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute (now Tuskegee University), George Washington Carver discovered hundreds of uses for the peanut, including dyes and gasoline. He would spend nearly 47 years at the institution, teaching and mentoring students and conducting research and science experiments.

Learn more on our Searchable Museum: https://s.si.edu/4xoiBby



📸 George Washington Carver, 1941. Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Today, we remember Grammy-nominated R&B vocalist Freddie Jackson. Born Frederick Anthony Jackson in 1957 in Harlem, New ...
10/07/2026

Today, we remember Grammy-nominated R&B vocalist Freddie Jackson. Born Frederick Anthony Jackson in 1957 in Harlem, New York, he first trained as a gospel singer before joining choral groups and soul-funk acts such as the Laurence Jones Ensemble and Mystic Merlin. After embarking on a solo career, he signed with Capitol Records in 1984 and helped define the sound of contemporary R&B with his platinum-selling debut album "Rock Me Tonight" (1985). Chart-topping hits, including "Rock Me Tonight (For Old Times' Sake)" and "You Are My Lady," emphasized Jackson's rich, soul-stirring voice and deep warmth, establishing him as one of America's most beloved performers. "My music is for people who like to hold hands in concert," Jackson once proclaimed in an interview with The New York Times. "If people could diminish some of their hate, the chaos and trouble in life wouldn't be so strong."

Over a career spanning more than four decades, Jackson recorded 14 albums and continued to tour for devoted fans around the world. His body of work reflects universal themes of love, memory, vulnerability, and devotion. He leaves behind a lasting legacy in African American music and a discography that will continue to resonate with generations of listeners to come.

📸 Courtesy of Raymond Boyd/Getty Images.

This fall, get inspired by artists, chefs, historians, and authors at our museum! Join us for a conversation on abstract...
10/06/2026

This fall, get inspired by artists, chefs, historians, and authors at our museum! Join us for a conversation on abstract art with artists featured in “Revelation: A Journey into Abstraction"; meet celebrity chef Carla Hall and check out her latest book, “Carla Bakes”; learn more about our 10th anniversary publication, "What a Dream Can Do," through a lively discussion and book signing with the editors — Deputy Director, Michelle D. Commander, Assistant Director for Collections, Michèle Gates Moresi, and Senior Editor for Publications, Douglas Remley — moderated by Michel Martin, host of NPR’s Morning Edition; and reflect on the power of transformation and growth with author and business leader Deborah Santana.

Discover more of our free fall programming: https://nmaahc.si.edu/events

in 1800, Nat Turner was born. As an enslaved person, Turner believed God called him to deliver his people from slavery...
10/02/2026

in 1800, Nat Turner was born. As an enslaved person, Turner believed God called him to deliver his people from slavery. Turner used his talent as a preacher and radical orator to convince others to join his revolt. In 1831, he led a rebellion of enslaved people in Southampton County, Virginia, where he was born. The group of rebels marched throughout Southampton County, killing at least 55 people, including his master’s family, until authorities crushed the revolt.

Turner avoided capture for nearly two months before he was caught, tried in the Southampton County Court, and hanged on November 11, 1831. Turner’s revolt sent shockwaves throughout the South, as many began to fear the possibility of future slave revolts and violent rebellion. In retaliation, many state and local governments throughout the South passed laws restricting enslaved people’s lives in response to Nat Turner’s rebellion.

During the colonial period, anti-slavery practices, such as rebellions, abolitionist oration, metaphorical literature, and more, provided African Americans with the means to navigate oppression, emboldening them to create cultural heroes and figurative spaces of community and empowerment.

Learn more on our Searchable Museum: https://s.si.edu/4z411ef



📸 1. (detail) 2. 3. Bible belonging to Nat Turner. Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Maurice A. Person and Noah and Brooke Porter.

🗞 Applications are now open for our 🌸 ️Spring 2027 internships!Our museum provides a dynamic learning environment and ac...
09/30/2026

🗞 Applications are now open for our 🌸 ️Spring 2027 internships!

Our museum provides a dynamic learning environment and access to supportive supervisors who help interns reach their educational and professional goals. Interns can gain practical museum skills and program development experience in various traditional and non-traditional museum careers.

“I applied to this internship to explore marketing strategies and how they’re applied at cultural institutions, and I’ve had a great experience!” - Naiyah B., 2025

Learn more and apply before October 15: https://s.si.edu/434KJ4x

Today! “Violet Vibes: A Community Celebration” takes over The Wharf’s District Pier and The Anthem concert hall for a fu...
09/27/2026

Today! “Violet Vibes: A Community Celebration” takes over The Wharf’s District Pier and The Anthem concert hall for a full day of music, dance, culture and community. Free tickets for both The Anthem Daytime Experience and The Anthem Evening Experience are still available. View the full schedule here: nmaahc10.com/violetvibes/schedule

Joining us for The Reunion weekend to celebrate our 10th anniversary? Here’s everything you need to know! For more infor...
09/25/2026

Joining us for The Reunion weekend to celebrate our 10th anniversary? Here’s everything you need to know! For more information, visit: nmaahc10.com/purpleball or nmaahc10.com/violetvibes

09/24/2026

in 2016, our museum opened its doors to the public.

Since then, more than 14 million visitors have joined us in exploring, celebrating, and preserving African American history and culture.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of our journey over the last 10 years. This milestone belongs to all of us.

09/24/2026

Today, we celebrate 10 years of preserving and sharing African American history and culture!

For a decade, our museum has welcomed more than 14 million visitors, and has been a place for people to reflect, learn, and connect.

As we mark this milestone, we honor the journey that brought us here and look ahead to the work that continues.

Welcome home.

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1400 Constitution Avenue NW
Washington D.C., DC
20004

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+18447503012

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