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
Open today 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
From the impact of new technologies to the influence of social and cultural changes, FOOD: Transforming the American Table explores the transformation of food and drink in post-World War II America. Julia Child’s home kitchen—with its hundreds of tools, appliances, and furnishings—begins an experience of artifacts, documents, videos, and stories about sweeping changes from 1945 into the new century.
Stories
Objects from the Collections
When her family's grocery store faltered in the Great Depression, Concha supported her loved ones by creating a tortilleria. She wore this cotton apron while making tortillas in her small neighborhood business.
From the 1970s onward, generations of homebrewers looked to Charlie Papazian for guidance as they worked to invent flavorful beers at home. He used this wooden spoon in his teaching demonstrations.
In 1967, Anne L. Bernat received a set of CorningWare® dishes as a wedding present. Decades later, she still used pieces from the set to heat, serve, and store casseroles and other foods.
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.
Dive Into Exhibitions
The American Presidency
A Glorious Burden
More than 900 objects, including national treasures from the Smithsonian’s vast presidential collections, bring to life the role of the presidency in American culture.
American Enterprise chronicles the tumultuous interaction of capitalism and democracy that resulted in the continual remaking of American business—and American life.
American Democracy
A Great Leap of Faith
American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith explores the history of citizen participation, debate, and compromise from the nation’s formation to today.
Donate Today and Make History
Help us to preserve, protect, and display America's historic treasures.
Donate Today
