Skip to Content
NMAAHC Building

Welcome to the Searchable Museum

A place to explorehistory and culturethrough anAfrican American lens

The Searchable Museum is transforming the museum experience, reaching beyond our walls to provide a rich digital experience and bringing the museum’s evocative content and immersive in-person visitor experience into homes around the world.  

Kevin Young, Andrew W. Mellon Director Of The Smithsonian's National Museum Of African American History And Culture

Make Good the Promise

A black and white photograph of a family standing in front of a stone house and a large tree.

Exhibition

Afrofuturism

Sun Ra, a black alien , is dressed in a pharaoh looking headdress and colorful yellow costume.

Explore

Constellations

Discover

Lesser-Known Stories

A photograph of an African American woman washing laundry outdoors in a yard. Clothes hand behind her on a line.

Atlanta Washerwomen Strike

In 1881, washerwomen in Atlanta formed a union and went on strike to demand better wages. Learn about the harsh conditions they faced and how they won.

Black and white photograph of three children walking down street.  There are houses in the background.

George Henry White

George Henry White was the last African American congressman of the 1800s. Learn about his life before and after Congress and his commitment to justice.

The inside title page is covered in decorative floral and leaf scroll work. The title reads, [ILLUMINATED / DIARY / for / 1868.]. Underneath is an illustrated image of the sea with a mast ship. The publisher below reads, [PUBLISHED BY / TAGGARD & THOMPSON, No. 29 CORNHILL, / BOSTON.]

The Remarkable Rollin Sisters

The Rollin sisters shaped the politics of Reconstruction-era South Carolina. Learn how they challenged society’s views of Black women and fought for equality.

Printed cartoon showing the assignation of Octavius Catto in Philadelphia in 1871.

Octavius V. Catto

Octavius Catto was a civil rights activist in Pennsylvania. Learn about his life and impact in Philadelphia’s Black community during Reconstruction.

A photograph of an African American woman washing laundry outdoors in a yard. Clothes hand behind her on a line.

Atlanta Washerwomen Strike

In 1881, washerwomen in Atlanta formed a union and went on strike to demand better wages. Learn about the harsh conditions they faced and how they won.

The inside title page is covered in decorative floral and leaf scroll work. The title reads, [ILLUMINATED / DIARY / for / 1868.]. Underneath is an illustrated image of the sea with a mast ship. The publisher below reads, [PUBLISHED BY / TAGGARD & THOMPSON, No. 29 CORNHILL, / BOSTON.]

The Remarkable Rollin Sisters

The Rollin sisters shaped the politics of Reconstruction-era South Carolina. Learn how they challenged society’s views of Black women and fought for equality.

Black and white photograph of three children walking down street.  There are houses in the background.

George Henry White

George Henry White was the last African American congressman of the 1800s. Learn about his life before and after Congress and his commitment to justice.

Printed cartoon showing the assignation of Octavius Catto in Philadelphia in 1871.

Octavius V. Catto

Octavius Catto was a civil rights activist in Pennsylvania. Learn about his life and impact in Philadelphia’s Black community during Reconstruction.

Connect

Present to Past

People waiting in line to vote

Law

African Americans continue the fight for social justice and equal treatment under the law.

Black women in masks at a protest

Health

Structural racism and racist beliefs about African Americans shape access to care and health outcomes.

Black and white photograph of Marva Collins in a classroom with students

Education

African Americans established schools for their communities and have taken innovative approaches to education while challenging segregation and discrimination.

A black and white photograph of two soldiers, in military fatigues, perched on the edge of the windshield, boots resting on the jeep's hood.

Military

While serving the nation, African Americans continued to fight for justice and their own freedom

People waiting in line to vote

Law

African Americans continue the fight for social justice and equal treatment under the law.

Black and white photograph of Marva Collins in a classroom with students

Education

African Americans established schools for their communities and have taken innovative approaches to education while challenging segregation and discrimination.

Black women in masks at a protest

Health

Structural racism and racist beliefs about African Americans shape access to care and health outcomes.

A black and white photograph of two soldiers, in military fatigues, perched on the edge of the windshield, boots resting on the jeep's hood.

Military

While serving the nation, African Americans continued to fight for justice and their own freedom

Understand

How We Know What We Know

Composite Image of items featured in How We Know What We Know
Photograph of museum exterior