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Through culture we explore what it means to be American. 

American culture—our entertainment, our art, and our creative expressions of daily life—has the power to captivate, inspire, and transform us. It brings us together—we share it when we... more

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders can trace their histories to a region that spans more than half the globe. They have played key roles in shaping America's past, leaving an enduring impact in areas such as work, politics, culture, and law.... more

Because the history of disability is the history of people, it is layered with objects, innovation, struggle, emotion, drama, and surprise. The group “People with Disabilities” has always been the largest “minority” group in America. This reality... more

Exploring Food History Together

Through research, collections, exhibitions, and programs, the American Food History Project at the National Museum of American History invites everyone to join the conversation about food history and why it matters... more

Infectious Disease in American History 

Infectious disease, and our response to it, has shaped American history. The museum’s collections document the technologies and techniques employed to prevent, diagnose, and treat infectious... more

The National Museum of American History contains many stories of innovation—and innovative things—that reflect the American peoples’ insatiable desire for game-changing ideas and new ways of doing things. From this page, you can discover... more

Hispanic Heritage Month is September 15 to October 15! Visit our heritage month page and enjoy the many resources presented here about Hispanic and Latino history.

¡El Mes de la Herencia Hispana es del 15 de septiembre al 15 de octubre!... more

LGBTQ+ history is a part of American history that the museum has been documenting since its founding, both knowingly and unknowingly. 

Our collections span centuries and include objects related to protest and politics, medicine and psychology... more

The Philanthropy Initiative collects, researches, documents, and exhibits materials relating to the history of American giving and convenes important conversations about philanthropy’s impact across a wide spectrum of issues.
A changing... more

In the United States, the influence of religion has extended far beyond home and houses of worship to virtually every facet of American life, from commerce to defense, politics to media, and education to entertainment. The Religion in America... more

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An evolving legacy

After two decades, the nation continues to feel the lasting effects of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. As we mark the 20th anniversary of that day, the Smithsonian’s National Museum... more

Experience The Nation We Build Together, with signature exhibitions and interactive experiences in our newly renovated second floor west wing.

Centered on the ideas and ideals of America, the exhibitions – American Democracy: A Great Leap... more

Women’s History Resources at the National Museum of American History


Understanding women’s history is integral to understanding the American experience. Although often underrepresented in recorded histories, women helped build the United... more

The year 2018 marks the centennial of the Armistice ending the First World War. It would not be an exaggeration to say that this world-altering historical event marked the dividing line between historical and modern America. The war... more