National Museum of African American History and Culture as a cultural repository

The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture opened on the National Mall in 2016 and documents African American life, history, and culture through objects, exhibitions, and programs. Its collections include tens of thousands of items spanning slavery, the Civil Rights Movement, music, sports, and contemporary culture. The museum has drawn millions of visitors and serves as a major cultural and educational institution in Washington, D.C.