Skip to main content
The National Museum of American History
Smithsonian Website

Search Google Appliance

Donate Button

Donate
The National Museum of American History The National Museum of American History
Menu
  • Explore History
  • Visit
  • About

Collections & Exhibitions

Search the Collections
Browse by SubjectOnline ExhibitionsObject GroupsArchives CenterRights and Reproductions

Topics

Food HistoryInnovationLatino HistoryLGBTQ HistoryThe Nation We Build TogetherWomen's HistorySee all topics...

Connect to History

O Say Can You See? BlogDigital and Social MediaMonthly NewsletterThis Day in History
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram

Teachers & Students

Resources for EducatorsFun Stuff for KidsFAQ for EducatorsFAQ for ParentsPlan a Field Trip

Plan Your Visit

General Visit InfoHoursGetting HereFood, Stores & ToursMuseum MapInfo en españolFAQ for VisitorsPlan a Field Trip

Today's Hours
10:00am to 5:30pm

Map of Museum
View in Maps

Exhibitions

On ViewUpcoming

Events

Daily CalendarFilmsJazzChamber MusicAll Evening Events

The Museum

Director's WelcomeMission & HistoryFAQsPress InformationMuseum RenovationMuseum ReportsFacility Rental

Our People

StaffDepartmentsStaff PublicationsMuseum BoardContact Information

Get Involved

Internship ProgramFellowship ProgramVolunteer ProgramJob Opportunities

Membership & Giving

Learn More and DonateJoin the CouncilGift Planning
Conservation of the Star-Spangled Banner is made possible through donations like yours.

On the  blog
The Fifteenth Amendment and Voting Rights

American Democracy

A Great Leap of Faith

Wegmans Wonderplace

Discover our hands-on exhibition for kids 0-6

Smithsonian’s History Explorer

Classroom resources for teachers

Take Our Survey

On the Blog

Democracy

Wegmans Wonderplace

Teacher Resources
  • Visitors
  • Researchers
  • Educators
  • Kids
Smithsonian's National Museum of American History
Welcome to the Museum
  • General Visit Info
  • Security & Policies
  • Food & Shops
  • Museum Map
  • FAQ for Visitors
Today's Hours

10:00am to 5:30pm

  • Hours - Details
  • Getting Here
Museum facilitator with visitors
Things To Do
  • Exhibitions
  • Events & Daily Programs
  • Print & Audio Guides
  • Visiting With Kids
  • Field Trips
An assortment of museum objects in a drawer
Collections
  • Search the Collections
  • Browse by Subject
  • Object Groups
  • Archives Center
  • NMAH Library
  • Dibner Library
Screenshot of website for exhibition, "Thomas Jefferson's Bible"
Online Resources
  • Online Exhibitions
  • O Say Can You See? Blog
  • Podcasts
  • Webcasts
  • Lemelson Center
A group of museum visitors
At the Museum
  • Departments
  • Publications
  • Internship Opportunities
  • Fellowship Opportunities

 

Smithsonian's History Explorer
Online Resources
  • Smithsonian's History Explorer
  • Teacher Resources & Training
  • History & Children's Literature
  • History Explorer Podcasts
  • Founding Fragments Videos
Young visitors looking at museum objects
Visit the Museum
  • Plan Your Field Trip
  • Register a School Group
  • Downloadable Self-Guides
  • Orientation Video for Students
  • Orientation Video for Teachers
  • FAQ for Educators
Visitors working on a computer
Stay Connected
  • Subscribe to our Newsletter
  • O Say Can You See? Blog
  • @explorehistory on Twitter
  • Edmodo Community

 

A child experimenting with a historic laundry device
At the Museum
  • Things to Do
  • Fun Stuff
  • FAQ - Visiting With Kids
  • Advice From our Blog
A woman reading a book to children
At Home
  • Online Activities
  • History & Children's Literature
  • Exhibition Topics
  • Media Resources
  • FAQ - Using This Website
Screenshot of an exhibition website
Games & Activities
  • Build a Sod House
  • Invention Playhouse
  • Got Ramps?
  • Legendary Coins
  • Tracking the Buffalo
  • Civil War History Mystery
 

 

This Day In History

February 22, 1980

The U.S. Olympic hockey team, in a game dubbed the "miracle on ice," defeats the Soviets at Lake Placid, 4-3.

View Object

Our Mission

We help people understand the past in order to make sense of the present and shape a more humane future.

Exhibitions

Exhibitions on a range of topics offer firsthand experiences with treasures of American history.

Collections

We collect artifacts of all kinds—from gowns to locomotives—to preserve an enduring record of our past for the American people.

News and Events

Take our survey!

Help create the history museum of the future by responding to our survey.

Films in the Warner Bros. Theater

Enjoy a variety of daily short films and special features, including a special series for Black History Month Feb. 22-23. Check the Theater page for showtimes.

Smithsonian Accepts Artifacts From “The President” Lester Young

The museum will accept a donation of four iconic artifacts related to the life and legacy of jazz legend Lester Willis Young.

National Museum of American History Names New Associate Director

Smithsonian Curators To Collect 2020 Presidential Election Memorabilia

See full events calendar
See more news items

From Our Blog

How butterfly wings helped a new collecting initiative take flight

The museum has created a new collecting initiative focused on how undocumented activists are leading fights for political representation.
A line of people wait outside the Baltimore branch of the NAACP in 1843

Does an amendment give you the right to vote?

In 2020, the Fifteenth Amendment—the first voting rights amendment added to the U.S. Constitution—celebrates its 150th anniversary.

Thinking about impeachment like a historian

This week, the third impeachment trial of a sitting U.S. president begins. As we prepare to bear witness to this historic moment, we spoke with political history curator Jon Grinspan about how historians look at impeachment. 
Happy days are here again banner.

100 years later, do we think Prohibition was good for the nation?

When Prohibition went into effect, who was toasting it and who needed a drink?
Read more stories from our blog

Shop SmithsonianStore.com

5-strand faux pearl necklace

Facility Rental

tables set for an event in Flag Hall

Support the Museum

Your donation will make history.

Strategic Plan

Learn more about the Museum's mission and priorities.
National Museum of American History Logo

Constitution Avenue, NW
Between 12th and 14th Streets
Washington, D.C.

  • Giving
  • Contact
  • Press
  • Site Map
  • Smithsonian Institution
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy
Sign up for Monthly E-newsletter

Email powered by MailChimp (Privacy Policy & Terms of Use)

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram

Search Google Appliance

  • Home
  • Visit
    • General Info
    • Hours
    • Getting Here
    • Food & Shops
    • Kids
    • Español
  • Exhibitions
  • Events
  • Collections
  • Educator Resources
  • Blog
  • Connect
  • About the Museum
  • About Our People
  • Get Involved
  • Giving
  • Press
Smithsonian Website