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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

Exhibition

Afrofuturism

Afrofuturism represents an expressive outlet dedicated to exploring concepts of Black identity, agency, & freedom through creative, intellectual, & artistic work.

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

Exhibition

Hip-Hop Origins

Hip-hop started with parties in the Bronx and has grown to a level of worldwide recognition and influence that institutions like the National Museum of African American History and Culture collect hip-hop artifacts and memorabilia.

Hip-Hop Origins
African American woman behind a turntable deck. She is wearing a light colored tank top, headphone, glasses and a necklace. A round of light is out of focus in the top left background.

Explore

Constellations

Artifacts and topics illuminating connections to history

Start Exploring

Discover

Lesser-Known Stories

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

Explore Stories
Portrait of Bridget Biddy Mason

Bridget "Biddy" Mason

Entrepreneur and philanthropist Bridget “Biddy” Mason helped to establish the First African Methodist Episcopal Church of Los Angeles.

Photograph of Workers at the Pacific Parachute Company

The Pacific Parachute Company

Skydiving entrepreneur Howard “Skippy” Smith founded one of the first Black-owned and managed war production plants during World War II.

Photograph of 5 women from AKA Sorority

The Mississippi Health Project II

In June and October of 2021, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. offered an array of health services to Mississippi residents in underserved communities.

Photograph of Homer G. Philips hospital and students

Homer G. Phillips Hospital and School of Nursing

Homer G. Phillips Hospital served as the preeminent training facility for African American nurses and physicians during segregation.

Portrait of Bridget Biddy Mason

Bridget "Biddy" Mason

Entrepreneur and philanthropist Bridget “Biddy” Mason helped to establish the First African Methodist Episcopal Church of Los Angeles.

Photograph of 5 women from AKA Sorority

The Mississippi Health Project II

In June and October of 2021, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. offered an array of health services to Mississippi residents in underserved communities.

Photograph of Workers at the Pacific Parachute Company

The Pacific Parachute Company

Skydiving entrepreneur Howard “Skippy” Smith founded one of the first Black-owned and managed war production plants during World War II.

Photograph of Homer G. Philips hospital and students

Homer G. Phillips Hospital and School of Nursing

Homer G. Phillips Hospital served as the preeminent training facility for African American nurses and physicians during segregation.

Connect

Present to Past

Current events and issues from a historical perspective

Browse Stories
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

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

Learn More
Composite Image of items featured in How We Know What We Know

Visit the Museum

Plan Your Visit
Photograph of museum exterior
The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture's Searchable Museum is made possible through the generous support of:
Bloomberg Philanthropies