An adult and group of children gather to look at the Oscar the Grouch puppet

Welcome to American History

The museum's world class collections help tell the complex history of our nation. We are located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

Open today 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Plan Your Visit

Explore Entertainment Nation

Entertainment has the power to captivate, inspire and transform us. It brings us together. We share it when we spontaneously recite lines from a favorite movie, dance to the same groove or recreate a national sports moment on a neighborhood street. It can also spur critical conversations, expose divides, and foster important historical change.

 

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Entrance to Entertainment Nation

Stories

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Objects from the Collections

Dorothy's Ruby Slippers

Sixteen-year-old Judy Garland wore these sequined shoes as Dorothy Gale in the 1939 MGM musical film The Wizard of Oz.

Muhammad Ali's Boxing Robe

Muhammad Ali gained fame for his boxing skills, charisma, and the controversy he generated outside the ring.

The Original Kermit Puppet

Jim Henson's first Kermit puppet was made from his mother’s old spring coat and a pair of blue jeans.
Browse All Collections

As the nation’s history museum, we empower people to create a just and compassionate future by exploring, preserving, and sharing the complexity of our past.

About Our Mission
Movie poster from the silent film "Our Hospitality" next to star Buster Keaton's velocipede

Featured Events

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Dive Into Exhibitions

Interior of the Entertainment Nation exhibition

Entertainment Nation

Entertainment has the power to captivate, inspire and transform us.
On View 3 West
Collage of four photographic portraits

(re)Framing Conversations

Photographs by Richard Avedon 1946-1965

Explore the power and impact of post-WWII magazine photography through iconic portraits.
On View 3 West
Device with printed words Edison Home Phonograph

America’s Listening

This display tells the story of recorded sound and five of the innovations that contributed to how we consume music and movies today.
On View 3 West
Online
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Women in Entertainment History

Headshot of Ella Fitzgerald

Ella Fitzgerald

Headshot of Jenny Lind

Jenny Lind

Selena

Selena

Headshot of Jeni LeGon

Jeni LeGon

Headshot of Billie Jean King

Billie Jean King

Headshot of Celia Cruz

Celia Cruz

Donate Today and Make History

Help us to preserve, protect, and display America's historic treasures.

Donate Today
Visitors with suffrage banners standing with a suffragette historic re-enactor.

Historical Topics

Women suffragists marching while carrying banners.

Women's History

Marian Anderson stands outside before a bank of microphones, preparing to sing from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial before an audience of thousands of people gathered on the National Mall

African American History

A collage of images showing objects from the collection related to Latino/a history

Latino History

Glass image of dog listening to a phonograph with the words "his master's voice" at a display

American Culture

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