Welcome to the Searchable Museum

A place to explorehistory and culturethrough anAfrican American lens

Revelation

Explore how abstract artists engage with history and identity through their work. Learn how they use color, line, and form to evoke emotions and forge connections.

Abstract painting with overlapping geometric shapes in red, blue, yellow, and green.

Explore Revelation

More Than a Flower

Learn how African American orchid enthusiasts use the flower to create community. Explore how artists use orchids for inspiration.

Hands holding a colorful orchid against a background of green leaves.

View the Orchids Exhibit

Constellations

Artifacts and topics illuminating connections to history

A single piece handsewn dress believed to have been worn by the formerly enslaved woman Tempy Ruby Bryant and handed down through her descendants. The dress is composed of a brown and taupe colored floral patterned fabric. The pattern has columns of flowers bordered by dark vertical lines with light vertical lines running through the flowers. The dress has white buttons at the waist, in a single row from waist to collar. Four buttons are missing: one at the waist and three near the collar. There is neat tucking at the waist band and sleeve cuffs.

Painting of a person with red ginkgo leaves over their eyes and around them, against a textured background.

The Olivetti Studio 46 Typewriter has a teal blue body and white keys, except for one red key on the right..

The pendant that was given for the Prairie View A&M College Industrial Education Award.

A head to chest view of the Black Panther suit. Fully covering the face, the suit is a sleek and cat like.

Start Exploring

Stories

Shining a new light on the African American past and its people.

Explore Stories

Upholstered stool with curved legs, wrapped in multicolored patterned fabric and featuring a rounded top and brass support.

Stories / Community Story

Abstraction in Seating Design

Seating designers transform everyday furnishings into objects of cultural storytelling. Learn how the principles of abstraction—form, line, gesture—shape seating design.

People on a horse-drawn carriage decorated with flowers during Emancipation Day in Corpus Christi, Texas, 1913.

Stories / Historic Event

Juneteenth: Freedom on the Rise

African Americans have celebrated Juneteenth since 1866. Learn about early Juneteenth celebrations and discover how African Americans have defended their freedom since June 19, 1865.

A child rides past debris in New Orleans

Stories / Historic Event

Hurricane Katrina

Hurricane Katrina devastated many communities in New Orleans. Learn about the storm’s impact and New Orleanians’ determination to rebuild their communities.

Stories / Biography

George Washington Carver

George Washington Carver was a scientist, inventor, and artist. Learn how his research at Tuskegee University improved the lives of Black farmers.

Black-and-white historical photograph of two women standing side by side, dressed in formal late 19th or early 20th-century attire.

Stories / Biography

Monroe and Florence Work

Monroe and Florence Work were sociologists who studied African American life. Learn how their research revealed truths about the Black experience.

Black and white photo of a book signing event, with a seated individual (Margaret Walker) signing books at a table surrounded by people holding or observing copies of the same book.

Stories / Biography

Margaret Walker

Margaret Walker was a writer and teacher at Jackson State University. Learn about her career as a novelist, poet, and educator.

Black and white photgraph of 6 Black children standing in a line with hands by theri side. There are 2 boys and 4 girls pictured. The children are dressed up for school and look directly at the camera

Stories / Historic Event

Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka

The Brown v. Board decision overturned segregation in public schools. Learn how the Legal Defense Fund built lawsuits to challenge segregation in the courts.

Researching African American History

Methods, tools, and sources used to study African American history and culture

Two people wearing gloves review paper files from archival boxes on a worktable with an open laptop nearby.

Explore our Methodology

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The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture's Searchable Museum is made possible through the generous support of: