guided tour african american museum

This website uses cookies to improve your browsing experience and analyze the use of the website. Learn More

Reserve Your Spot with Confidence! Full Refunds with 24 Hrs Notice. Reschedule at any point, even after tour, if space allows!

National Museum of African-American History and Culture Tickets and Tours

This post is a guide to visiting the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African-American History & Culture (NMAAHC), including information on tickets, tours, how to get there, and what to expect updated and the new ticketing policies.

Plan Your Visit

Guided tours.

As a tour guide in Washington, DC, for over a decade, I take groups to visit museums every week. The National Museum of African-American History & Culture is one of the most moving museums, especially with school groups.

When the museum opened in 2016, the team at DC by Foot immediately started arranging group visits for the groups we work with and I have been bringing people there ever since.

I am not a member of the Black Washington community, so these are not my stories to tell. I am grateful for the incredible curation of this museum to share the history and culture in a way I cannot.

I agree with the members of our Washington DC Travel Tips Facebook Group that this is a museum worth visiting.

Free Tickets to the African American Museum

Unlike many of the Smithsonian museums, the NMAAHC DOES require timed tickets to visit.

Tickets are free, but we highly recommend you reserve them as soon as possible as tickets often become fully booked. Regardless of age, everyone requires a ticket, and you may reserve up to 9 tickets at one time.

Each day at 8:00 am EST, tickets open for 30 days out. At 8:15 am, a small number of same-day passes are released online.

You can reserve free timed tickets on their website: https://nmaahc.si.edu/passes

Tickets to the African American Museum are timed - but you can enter the museum anytime AFTER your reserved time until 4 pm . It is okay if you are late to your timed tickets to the NMAAHC.

The information in this section will help you plan an outing the National Museum of African-American History & Culture. This is where you will find details on how to get there , the best times to visit , security information, and what to expect .

WHERE IS THE NMAAHC ?

The NMAAHC is located on the National Mall at 1400 Constitution Avenue NW. It is between Constitution Avenue and Madison Drive, next to the American History Museum and the Washington Monument.

There are many ways to get there and it is a short walk from many other destinations on the National Mall. We recommend this link for specific directions to the museum: https://www.si.edu/museums/african-american-museum

The nearest Metro Stations are Federal Triangle (Blue, Orange, and Silver line) and Smithsonian (Blue, Orange, and Silver line.)

It is also a short walk (10-15 minutes) from Metro Center (Red Line.) The Circulator Bus drops at the Washington Monument, just across the street from the museum. For more information on navigating the Metro, check out our blog post HERE . 

Alternatively, many of the hop on hop off buses have a stop nearby to the NMAAHC.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

The NMAAHC is a very in-demand tourist destination with limited capacity. It attracts large crowds throughout the year, especially on weekends, and is always busy. The museum opens at 10 am and by noon, it is pretty crowded.

The best time to enter may depend on your timed entry passes but if you want to avoid crowds, we suggest planning a visit to the museum for the off-peak season (January-February and September-December.)

Typical weekdays during the off-peak months will be a little more manageable, especially if you arrive when the museum opens at 10am.

Many members of our 50K person Washington DC Travel Tips Facebook group want to know how long to spend at the African American Museum.

A popular suggestion is to split up a visit if you can snag tickets on two different days.

SECURITY SCREENING

Like all Smithsonian museums in D.C., you will encounter security at the NMAAHC. The following items are not permitted in the museum:

• Tripods, monopods, selfie sticks
• Knives of any size
• Food and drink (other than bottled water)
• Aerosol cans, including pepper spray and mace

There are lockers at the museum to store bags and coats.

You are more than welcome to bring strollers, walkers, and wheelchairs into the museum and it is completely ADA-compliant. Smartphones are also permitted and you may take non-flash, non-commercial photography in the galleries, unless otherwise posted.

You can bring food and drinks into the museum if they are sealed and not eaten inside. A great cafe is open from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm (opens at 12:00 pm on Mondays) if you're hungry!

A GUIDE TO VISITING NMAAHC

The NMAAHC is a very popular museum and you can expect lines to enter, especially right when the museum opens at 10am.

Even if you have obtained a timed entry pass, you might encounter lines at the security entrance during peak season.

Once you clear security, the museum itself is self-guided. All guests enter the museum in Heritage Hall (Floor L1.) We suggest taking the escalators (or elevator) downstairs to the lower level, known as the Concourse.

This is where you can access the three floors of history galleries (Floors C1-C3) and it is the only way to enter that portion of the museum.

You can expect there might be a line at this point, especially during peak season. The history gallery experience begins in an elevator that takes you to the lowest level of the museum.

The first exhibit highlights the Atlantic Slave Trade and it works its way chronologically up to 2008 and the election of the first African-American President.

The history galleries empty you right next to the Contemplative Court, a perfect spot to reflect and relax before heading upstairs.

On the upper levels (Floors L2-L4), you will find exhibitions highlighting the cultural contributions of African-Americans, community galleries, and more. You can find a detailed breakdown of the museum here: https://nmaahc.si.edu/visit/maps

This museum is HUGE! It has 85,000 square feet of exhibition space with nearly 3,000 objects and 183 videos.

The average guest visit time at most museums in D.C. is 2 hours - the average guest visit time at NMAAHC is 5 hours. Of course, much will depend on your pace, level of interest, and how crowded the museum is, but know that you won’t likely be able to see it all in one visit.

In order to make the most of your visit, we suggest downloading the museum’s free mobile app, which will help you familiarize yourself with the layout, exhibits, and objects that you might want to see during your visit: https://nmaahc.si.edu/connect/mobile/apps . The app also has information in Spanish and French (printed brochures in those languages are available at the welcome desk as well.)

There are no guided tours inside the NMAAHC at this time.

Museum volunteers and staff are at the welcome desk in Heritage Hall and at highly trafficked points in the museum to answer questions and give you guidance on your visit. You can see a list of upcoming museum events here: https://nmaahc.si.edu/calendar/upcoming

While we do not offer guided tours inside the NMAAHC, our National Mall and All-in-One tours begin not far from the museum. Our guides are happy to provide detailed guidance on getting the most out of your visit and can answer any questions you have.

Free Tours by Foot offers guided tours of many of the other Smithsonian Museums , however.

If you're interested in the Black American history of Washington DC, we have two self-guided tours that focus on this area.

Exhibit Highlights

This museum, like all the Smithsonian museums, is massive!

You could spend days here and not see every artifact on display. We highly recommend spending a few minutes at the welcome desk to get recommendations on objects and exhibits that will most fit your interests.

If possible, review the museum map before you arrive here ( https://nmaahc.si.edu/visit/maps ) and familiarize yourself with the exhibits.

For a first visit to the museum, these are what we consider the must-see areas:

C3: Slavery & Freedom (1400-1877)

This is where the history exhibits begins and it works its way chronologically through the Atlantic slave trade into the American Revolution, the American Civil War, and the Reconstruction era.

Be sure to see the Edisto Island slave cabin, which was brought from South Carolina to be installed whole in the gallery’s main hall as well as the lace shawl Queen Victoria gifted to Harriet Tubman.

C2: Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom (1876-1968)

This is a continuation of the history exhibits, focusing on the century of Jim Crow laws and racial division across the nation. A Southern Railway passenger coach with segregated compartments is a must-see. Right across from the railcar is an interactive element that put you in the position of protesting and organizing - you can sit in a modern recreation of the Woolworth’s lunch counter and explore critical actions that were taken during the Civil Rights movement.

A guard tower from Camp H at Louisiana State Penitentiary is at the end of the lunch counter - you will usually see a line wrapping around the tower. That is the Emmett Till Memorial, one of the most moving exhibits in the museum. Till’s murder at the age of 14 in 1955 was a defining moment in the Civil Rights movement, particularly after his mother insisted that her son be displayed in a glass topped casket for the world to see. The original casket is on display, as well as an exhibit about Till’s life, death, and legacy.

Note: Photography is not allowed at all in the Emmett Till Memorial exhibit.

C3: A Changing America (1968 and Beyond)

This is the final floor in the history exhibits and brings the story of the museum into the present day. The year of 1968 is highlighted, as a landmark year for Civil Rights, with exhibitions highlighting the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.

The exhibit looks at both advances and setbacks in the fight for equality, including pop cultural items such as the set for the Oprah Winfrey show and the boombox carried by Radio Raheem (portrayed by Bill Nunn) in Spike Lee’s Do The Right Thing.

Be sure to look for the black and red dress worn by First Lady Michelle Obama during the ceremony to mark the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington, 1963.

Concourse Level  

You’ll find the Contemplative Court as you exit the history galleries - this peaceful space is meant for reflection and contemplation as you transition out of the history galleries and back into the museum. You might recognize this from the final season of the TV show Scandal - Kerry Washington actually filmed here at the museum!

Heritage Hall  

You’ll find the gift shop, restrooms, and welcome desk here. The Corona Pavilion is currently screening a film by award-winning filmmaker Ava Duvernay here. The film, titled August 28th, looks at one date through multiple years to tell the story of Emmett Till, Motown music, Martin Luther King Jr, Hurricane Katrina, and more.

L2: Explore More  

This level primarily offers resources for researchers, educators, and those wishing to learn more about their own family history. These are a series of rotating interactive activities in this space and is a good place to stop with children who want to get hands-on with the museum.

L3: Community Galleries  

The exhibits here focus on African-American contributions to the military and sports as well as the building of communities across the nation.

Highlights include information on all 89 African-Americans who have been awarded the Medal of Honor, the flight jacket of Lt. Col. Woodrow W. Crockett (one of the Tuskegee Airmen), and the efforts taken to desegregate the armed forces.

In the sports gallery, be sure to look for the blazer worn by Althea Gibson, one of the first African-American tennis stars, Jack Johnson’s boxing gloves, a pair of 1985 Air Jordans, and the leotard belonging to gold medal Olympian Gabrielle Douglas.

L4: Culture Galleries

This floor shifts the focus to popular culture, with music galleries, stage, screen, visual art, and cultural expressions. At the entrance to the music gallery, you’ll see the red Cadillac El Dorado belonging to Chuck Berry, one of the pioneers of rock n’roll.

You’ll also see the famed Mothership, the centerpiece prop for George Clinton and his bands. You’ll also see items belonging to movie stars, like the tap shoes of Sammy Davis Jr., and stage performers, like the original costumes from the Broadway hit The Wiz.

Be sure to check out our comprehensive list of things to do in DC as well as these related posts:

• American History Museum
• Air and Space Museum
• Natural History Museum
• Smithsonian Museum Tours

Choose a Destination... I want them all PLUS general travel tips. Amsterdam Berlin Boston Charleston Chicago Dubai Lisbon London Los Angeles Miami Nashville New York City New Orleans Paris Philadelphia Prague Rome San Francisco Washington DC

About The Author

Canden Arciniega

North america, united kingdom & ireland, middle east & india, asia & oceania.

• Accessibility for screenreader
• White House
• Courts and Law
• Monkey Cage
• Fact Checker
• Post Politics Blog
• The Post's View
• Toles Cartoons
• Telnaes Animations
• Local Opinions
• Global Opinions
• Letters to the Editor
• All Opinions Are Local
• Erik Wemple
• The Plum Line
• PostEverything
• PostPartisan
• Volokh Conspiracy
• The Missing Debate
• AllMetSports
• College Football
• College Basketball
• D.C. Sports Bog
• Fancy Stats
• Fantasy Sports
• Public Safety
• Transportation
• Acts of Faith
• Health and Science
• National Security
• Investigations
• Morning Mix
• Post Nation
• The Americas
• Asia and Pacific
• Middle East
• On Leadership
• Personal Finance
• Energy and Environment
• On Small Business
• World Business
• Capital Business
• Innovations
• Arts and Entertainment
• Carolyn Hax
• Home and Garden
• Inspired Life
• On Parenting
• Reliable Source
• The Intersect
• Comic Riffs
• Going Out Guide
• Puzzles and Games
• Theater and Dance
• Restaurants
• Bars & Clubs
• Popular Video
• Entertainment
• Where We Live
• Recently Sold Homes
• Classifieds
• El Tiempo Latino
• Fashion Washington
• WP BrandStudio
• washingtonpost.com
• 1996-2016 The Washington Post
• Terms of Service
• Privacy Policy
• Submissions and Discussion Policy
• RSS Terms of Service

A peek at the Mall’s latest addition

Tour through the National Museum of African American History and Culture

The Smithsonian’s newest museum looks like nothing else on the Mall, and it brings an African influence to a place that could not be more American.

You approach it on walkways that largely trace paths worn in the grass by visitors to the Washington Monument.

The shape of its bronze-colored outer corona was inspired by a Nigerian artist’s carving, which is displayed in the “Cultural Expressions” gallery. The intricate filigree pattern resembles railings made by enslaved 19th-century craftsmen in New Orleans and Charleston, S.C.

Its three tiers — 3,600 panels of cast aluminum — are hung at the same angle as the Washington Monument’s capstone. (Be sure to take a photo with the two buildings lined up.)

The corona doesn’t cover the glass building’s first floor, so from inside, you can see the surrounding Mall from ground level, and seven openings in the upper floors offer well-framed views of the area.

The main entrance is a covered area off Madison Drive called the porch . During slavery, a home’s porch was the line of demarcation between the fields and the family. A pool of water leading to the porch churns, then becomes calm. It represents stillness and strength after a turbulent beginning.

If you come in from Constitution Avenue, you’ll walk by the Oculus , a glass circle in the concrete that houses a waterfall and allows natural light into a serene Contemplative Court on the floor below. Much of the north lawn is a giant green roof.

The building is divided into two parts: 60 percent underground, 40 percent above. The curators used this natural break as a way to cover more than 600 years in two very different ways.

Underground, a stark path winds chronologically and unflinchingly from slavery through civil rights and beyond. Aboveground, bold, busy galleries celebrate some of the cultural contributions African Americans have made to the country and the world.

“It’s as sobering as it is triumphant,” said Michelle Wilkinson, one of the museum’s 18 curators. “You don’t get to leave with only one feeling.”

First impression

The vibe in the lobby is more modern art exhibit than history museum. Look up to see a creation of bronze, copper and brass by Chicago sculptor Richard Hunt. The ceiling was designed with a matte finish to best show it off. On one wall is a five-panel work by District legend Sam Gilliam; across the room is a relief made of recycled tires by Newark-born artist Chakaia Booker.

Artist Richard Hunt donated the sculpture that hangs in the lobby. (Photo by Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post)

But history comes first in the museum’s name for a reason, and the best way to experience the museum is to ...

Start at the bottom

To get to the beginning, go down one floor to Concourse 0 and enter the David M. Rubenstein History Gallery. A glass elevator will take you down 70 feet — and centuries back in time.

Slavery and Freedom

You’ll step off the elevator into a dim, low-slung path that tells the story of the Middle Passage, when captive Africans were first brought to the New World.

A short detour leads to wreckage from a slave ship that broke apart off Cape Town, South Africa, in 1794, drowning 212 people. Among the recovered debris are 88-pound ballast bars, which compensated for the relatively light weight of human bodies compared with other types of cargo.

Quotations plucked from letters and documents of people who lived at the time make the slave trade come alive in a way that historians could not, curator Mary Elliot said. Two are juxtaposed on adjoining glass. First, an English merchant declares, “Negroes … are a perishable Commodity.” Next to it, a formerly enslaved author reminds “nominal Christians” of the Golden Rule.

From the Middle Passage you turn abruptly into an open concourse facing a 70-foot wall with words from the Declaration of Independence: “All men are created equal.”

This wall is six feet thick to hold back underground water and leans away from the gallery at a 4-degree angle. If it were straight, it would appear to be tilting toward visitors.

Against the wall is a 19th-century slave cabin from Edisto Island, S.C., that was occupied until 1980. It was originally unfinished and unheated, and it had only one door so overseers could observe and control who came and went, curator Nancy Bercaw said.

“One of the first things people did upon gaining freedom was open up a back door,” she said. When you wind back to the cabin after the Civil War and Emancipation exhibits, you see light through its precisely cut rear door.

[ A slave ship’s haunting relics ]

Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: Era of Segregation, 1876-1968

One piece that encapsulates the brutality and the resilience of people in the era is so sensitive that it was placed in its own quiet anteroom: the original casket of 14-year-old Emmett Till , who was killed in Mississippi in 1955 for reportedly flirting with a white woman. Emmett’s mother, Mamie Till Mobley, insisted on a glass-topped casket and public funeral so the world could see her child’s disfigured face. The images outraged people of all races, and Emmett’s murder helped ignite the civil rights movement.

“His death made people think differently about how they wanted to function in the South and in the nation,” said  curator Spencer Crew . “Rosa Parks was asked why she didn’t move to the back of the bus, and she said she thought about Emmett Till and couldn’t get up.”

Other exhibits are noteworthy because they appear so ordinary.

Nondescript lunch counter stools are from the Greensboro, N.C., Woolworth’s where four black college students ignited a sit-in movement in 1960 that forced businesses to change their segregated policies. An interactive lunch counter offers a menu of civil rights stories.

A ride in the 44-seat first-class Southern Railway car cost the same for everyone, but the cramped “colored” section makes clear that the meaning of first-class varied by race.

The railcar and a 21-foot-tall concrete prison guard tower were brought in during construction, and the museum was built around them.

This guard tower once loomed over “The Bloodiest Prison in the South.” (Photo by Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post)

The tower, from the Louisiana State Prison in Angola, illustrates the complicated threads that link slavery and incarceration. The notoriously violent prison was built on a slave plantation and leased convicts — the vast majority of whom were black — to the community as forced labor.

[ Emotional subjects: Officials expect tears, even anger ]

A Changing America: 1968 and Beyond

The start of this gallery is visually frenzied, with no clear pathway through. That suits curator Bill Pretzer , who wanted to convey the cacophony of the time.

One long case contains part of a graffiti mural from the 1968 Resurrection City encampment on the Mall that was built to advocate for the poor. “Pickets,” or photo groupings on poles, touch on stories such as the Black Panthers, Malcolm X, the rise of the Nation of Islam and the Vietnam War.

Resurrection City was part of the Martin Luther King Jr.-inspired Poor People’s Campaign. (Photo by Bonnie Berkowitz/The Washington Post)

Soldiers in particular were torn between duty to their country and desire for civil rights.

Pretzer’s favorite object reflects that dissonance in a small photograph sent from a young soldier to his mother. In it, he is holding an M16. On the back, he wrote: “This is … me and my girlfriend, Sweet 16. ... We call them black power.”

Co-curator Michelle Wilkinson is particularly proud of a  picket about the Black Arts Movement that wedded art, a black aesthetic and social commentary.

One of her favorite examples is a poster by social artist Faith Ringgold made of triangles that look like quilt swatches. But the jaunty poster took on the controversial cause of jailed activist Angela Davis.

On your way out of the history galleries, you finally get a hint of natural light. Suspended on your right is a biplane that was used to train Tuskegee Airmen, the African American military pilots who fought for their segregated country in World War II. On your left in enormous letters is a quotation from poet Langston Hughes: “I, too, am America.”

[ Why the museum has no major MLK artifacts ]

Theater level

Now you are back on the concourse that has the 350-seat Oprah Winfrey Theater , where the soundproofing material is hidden behind a screen designed in a similar filigree pattern to the building’s corona. A film made for the museum by “Selma” director Ava DuVernay will be shown here until the Orientation Theater opens in the fall.

Across from the Contemplative Court, where visitors can relax and reflect, is a small exhibit called ”A Century in the Making” that describes how the museum came to be.

This is also where the food is. The Sweet Home Cafe has stations representing four regions: Creole Coast, Agricultural South, Northern States and Western Range.

[ Why the cafe serves son-of-a-gun stew and other unexpected dishes ]

Education level

The second floor, which is expected to open in Fall, will contain education space and the Center for African American Media Arts. Visitors will be able to research their families in a genealogy center that will have Freedmen’s Bureau records and a staff genealogist.

Community galleries

After the somber, wrenching history concourses, the third- and fourth-floor galleries have an energetic vibe and can be explored in any order.

This is where the fun begins.

Sports: Leveling the Playing Field

This gallery begins with a life-size depiction of sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos raising their fists in a “black power” salute on the medal stand at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City.

Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised black-gloved fists during the playing of the U.S. national anthem. (Photo by Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post)

“Sports is a part of racial progress, but also an area where negatives about African Americans have been expressed as well,” curator Damion Thomas said.

Thomas initially feared he wouldn’t be able to build world-class exhibit while having to compete with the lucrative sports memorabilia market. That turned out not to be a problem, thanks largely to donations. Near Jesse Owens’s cleats from 1936 and Michael Jordan’s jersey from 1996 are Joe Louis’s gloves, Muhammad Ali’s robe, Gabby Douglas’s leotard and nine Olympic medals won by sprinter Carl Lewis. (The only one missing was placed on his father’s grave.)

A mini Griffith Stadium overlooks the National Museum of American History. (Photo by Bonnie Berkowitz/The Washington Post)

On the outskirts of the gallery is a 25-seat version of the District’s Griffith Stadium , which stood from 1911 to 1965 and hosted the Washington Senators, Washington Redskins and the Homestead Grays, a Negro leagues team.

Making a Way Out of No Way

This gallery is about how ordinary people made their communities better. “I wanted to tell multiple stories at once,” said curator Michéle Gates Moresi , “because change happens in so many different ways.”

Among the three-dimensional objects that anchored these stories are a pew from the Twelfth Baptist Church in Boston, which was an anti-slavery meetinghouse founded in 1840; desks from the Hope School in South Carolina, which served African American children in the early 1900s; and a gold-lettered banner from the Oklahoma Women’s Federation chapter of the National Council of Negro Women that bears the motto “Lifting as We Climb.”

Double victory: The African American Military Experience

“It’s not about guns, it’s not about cannons, it’s about how the participation of African Americans in the military shaped this country for the better,” said curator Krewasky Salter about his gallery, which contains nuggets dating to the 1600s.

Salter considers his show-stopping piece to be the Medal of Honor given posthumously to Sgt. Cornelius Charlton, 21, who took over from his fallen platoon leader and, despite his own ultimately fatal injuries, led several charges up a hill during the Korean War.

“The intent was that the Medal of Honor would have the Hope Diamond effect,” said Salter, who has displayed the medal prominently in the center of a sunlit alcove, flanked by portraits of dozens of other Medal of Honor recipients. “This is the image you want to see.”

A narrow window directs the eye past the Washington Monument to Arlington National Cemetery, and a marker beside the window provides the gravesite locations of the 17 African American Medal of Honor recipients who are buried there, including Charlton.

[ The artifacts that bring the museum to life ]

Power of Place

Curator Paul Gardullo wanted to demonstrate the diversity of African American life with specific places at specific times.

Among them is Oak Bluffs in Martha’s Vineyard, a black vacation spot for generations; a farm in Lyles Station, Ind., where free black farmers have owned and worked the land continuously since 1815, and a Bronx neighborhood where DJ Tony Tone and the Cold Crush Brothers contributed to the birth of hip-hop in the 1970s.

An interactive storyboard will be crowd-sourced and is one of several places in the museum where people can share their own stories.

[ A thorny question: Whose stories do we tell? ]

Culture galleries

The best view from anywhere in the museum (other than from the closed-to-visitors fifth floor) is here, where a gap in the corona spans nearly the entire west side of the building and offers a sweeping view of the World War II Memorial, the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. This should make for some spectacular sunset photos.

Taking the Stage

Curator Kathleen Kendrick knew the collection needed to have something related to August Wilson, one of the most important African American playwrights of the 20th century and a two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize for drama. A signature piece is the piano from “The Piano Lesson,” a haunting play that addressed the legacy of slavery through a piano on which an enslaved man had carved images of his family history.

Movie and TV clips run continuously in one area, among memorabilia such as a rare lobby card from “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner,” a 1967 film in which Sidney Poitier, Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy took on the then-controversial subject of interracial marriage.

One of Kendrick’s most prized acquisitions is not on display yet. The uniform worn by actress Nichelle Nichols as Lt. Uhura in the “Star Trek” TV series arrived too late to be included in the museum’s opening.

Musical Crossroads

Between the “Holy Mothership,” a 1,200-pound spaceship stage prop from Parliament Funkadelic concerts, and the 1973 candy-apple-red Cadillac Eldorado driven by Chuck Berry during filming of a documentary, you’ll find an area that looks suspiciously like a dance floor, with music from all genres.

George Clinton emerged from the Holy Mothership during P-Funk concerts. (Photo by Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post)

 “I wanted to explain African American music in all its diversity, not just what people think it should be,” said curator Dwandalyn Reece .

Chuck Berry drove this in 1987’s “Hail! Hail! Rock ’n’ Roll.” (Photo by Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post)

That means that alongside Louis Armstrong’s trumpet and Michael Jackson’s sequined jacket, you’ll see one of the Country Music Association awards won by country superstar Charley Pride, whom many early radio listeners were surprised to learn was black.

You’ll also see the jacket and skirt worn by classical vocalist Marian Anderson when she performed a free concert at the Lincoln Memorial in 1939, after the Daughters of the American Revolution refused to let her sing at Constitution Hall. Reece wanted to ensure that the gallery recognized Anderson not only as a historical figure but also as a world-class artist.

Cultural Expressions

You can’t miss this circular gallery with its overhead ring of continuously changing photos and videos. It takes a wide-ranging look at African and African American style, clothing, food, identity, politics, dance, art and language. You can find out about light topics such as Creole cuisine, 1970s hair products and the origin of the high-five, but also heavier topics such as the “paper-bag test,” a remnant of the 20th century in which lighter skin tone was preferred in many African American social groups.

The post that inspired the museum’s design is nearly seven feet tall. (Photo by Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post)

In the center of the ring is curator Joanne Hyppolite’s must-have piece: the wooden post that inspired the museum’s design, carved by the great folk artist Olowe of Ise.

Visual Arts and the American Experience

Each area in the museum has its own vibe, but none contrasts so starkly with its jumbled neighbors as this one, which has the tranquil, uncluttered feel of an art gallery. Its emphasis is the role artists of African descent have played in shaping American art. Some are well-known members of the American canon, others should be but are not, and still others may one day redefine the limits of that canon, curator Jacquelyn Serwer said.

“We wanted everything,” she said. “Our curators are greedy!”

At the top of   curator Tuliza Fleming’s wish list was a painting by noted Jazz Age artist Archibald John Motley Jr., but the budget was too tight. Then Robert L. Johnson of Black Entertainment Television donated “The Argument” .

Another piece took curators by surprise because it had supposedly disappeared. The niece of artist Meta Vaux Warrick Fuller, a protégé of Auguste Rodin, donated the original painted-plaster sculpture “Ethiopia,” one of her signature works from about 1921.

Offices only

Your tour is done, and you’ll probably be too tired to look up here anyway. The top floor contains staff offices and will not be open to the public.

More about the museum

John Lewis’s dream is finally realized

Oprah: ‘I come as one, but I stand as 10,000’

The largest donations to the museum

The African American Museum tells powerful stories — but not as powerfully as it could

More stories

A collection of lived black history

Explore stories of people's personal objects that reflect black history.

The top 36 must-see items at the African American museum

Here are the most emotionally and historically resonant treasures in the collection that no visitor should miss.

A 200-year transformation: How the Mall became what it is today

See how the Mall developed from a marsh to the center of the nation’s capital.

More Coverage

8 must-visit Black culture and history museums to visit across the US

From baseball museums to the history of hip-hop, there are history lessons in every corner of the country..

The Black community’s cultural influence over society in the U.S. is as vast as the land itself. Sometimes hidden, but increasingly revealed, there are a variety of museums and institutions across the country that honor Black contributions old and new, across a multitude of industries. From D.C. to Oklahoma, we’ve pulled together eight museums to visit that pay tribute to the Black experience in America.

The National Museum of African American History and Culture

Washington, d.c..

There’s one museum that simultaneously encompasses the new and the old, the obscure and the mainstream. To date, the National Museum of African American History and Culture (also known as the NMAAHC or “The Blacksonian”) has collected more than 40,000 artifacts, covering history from indentured and chattel slavery through modern times.

The museum journey is best experienced chronologically, and begins three stories below ground with a moving exhibit that focuses on the daily lives of enslaved people and the wealth their enslavement created for America. As you rise, so does the narrative of Black history. Events and artifacts range from the seemingly mundane—like a pair of Run DMC Adidas sneakers—to the historic lunch stools and counter from Greensboro, NC. Niche collections from the now-defunct Black Fashion Museum showcase the work of acclaimed designer Ann Lowe and the famous costume designer for The Wiz , Peter Davy.

Be sure to plan ahead and reserve your free tickets in advance because the timed-entry spots can book up quickly, especially on weekends.

Tip: Wear comfortable shoes and, if you can, make it a two-day trip. The museum is filled with so much detail that it’s difficult to take it all in with a single visit.

Gullah Museum

Georgetown, sc.

The Gullah Museum is dedicated to Gullah Geechee heritage, a unique blend of traditions passed down from West and Central African cultures. Today, the Gullah community is known for its hearty, delicious Lowcountry food; sweetgrass-basket weaving and story-quilt making; and a distinct knowledge of rice farming that’s been passed down through generations.

The late Gullah Museum founder Vermelle "Bunny" Smith Rodrigues used her storytelling skills to create her famous family history quilts, which hang in the museum. (Former First Lady Michelle Obama is a proud owner of one of these quilts.) Today, her husband keeps her legacy alive at the museum, with exhibits that educate visitors from around the world on Gullah culture. Expect to learn about open-land Geechee cowboys, rice farming, Lowcountry history, and more.

Greenwood Rising

Much of the Black experience in America is never taught in classrooms and is often obscured from the public in general. When these stories are brought to life, they often bring with them disbelief and shock—as is the case for the history of Tulsa’s Black Wall Street. At Greenwood Rising , the history of this once-thriving Black community comes to life, bringing its full story out of obscurity. This immersive, interactive museum uses a combination of static exhibits, film, and holograms, as well as voices of survivors and witnesses of the Tulsa Race Massacre to create an incredibly moving experience. After, be sure to explore the surrounding Greenwood neighborhood , which is experiencing a revitalization thanks to Black-owned businesses like Fulton Street Books and Coffee next door to the museum.

Negro Leagues Baseball Museum

Kansas city, mo.

Many people are familiar with the story of Jackie Robinson, the incredibly talented Brooklyn Dodgers baseball player who integrated Major League Baseball back in 1947, but plenty of people aren’t aware of the entire league of Black baseball players that were arguably equally, if not more talented, than those in the MLB. You can learn all about these trailblazing individuals at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City , where the league was first formed in 1920.

The museum details the league's eight founding teams, including the Chicago Giants, Detroit Stars, and the Kansas City Monarchs, where Robinson played, but also highlights lesser known superstar players including pitcher, Satchel Paige; center fielder, James Thomas “Cool Papa” Bell; and first baseman, John “Buck” O’Neil. O’Neil is credited with leading the effort to establish the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, and you can stand next to a life-sized bronze statue of him and other famous players at the museum’s baseball diamond.

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

Cincinnati, oh.

You may wonder, of all of the potential places to open a museum dedicated to the Underground Railroad, why Cincinnati ? The simple reason is geography. Located a few steps from the Ohio River, the museum stands near the natural barrier that separated the slaveholding states of the South from the free states of the North. Inside, you’ll find stories of the enslaved: who they were, why they were stolen to the Americas, how they were treated, and how some of them eventually became free. Exhibits can be hard to stomach, like the 19th-century wood and shackles pen recovered from a farm in Mason County, KY, but these artifacts are key to understanding the brutality of this era of American history. And don’t miss the Invisible: Slavery Today exhibit, which details modern day slavery and human trafficking, helping museum-goers to spot the signs of an exploited person and providing them with resources to help the victim get the help they need.

Tip: If exploring the museum on your own seems overwhelming, plan your trip for the first Saturday of each month to book a 90-minute guided tour (available at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.).

National Museum of African American Music

Nashville, tn.

Nashville may be known as the home of country music, but the roots of country music are deeply influenced by and intertwined with Black music. You can learn all about the connection at the National Museum of African American Music , where the tagline is “one nation under a groove.” It’s hard not to describe a visit to this museum as one giant dance party. Yes, of course there are incredible exhibits that showcase historic audio recordings, memorabilia, and interactive technology that detail the societal eras that led to the rise of blues, jazz, gospel, R&B, and hip hop—but the core is the music itself. Put on a pair of headphones and immerse yourself in deeply moving African American spirituals from the time of enslavement like “Wade in the Water” and “Take my Hand Precious Lord” by Mahalia Jackson and the Mississippi Mass Choir, or sway to the velvet voice of Marvin Gaye singing “What’s Going On?” in the R&B gallery. As a child of the 1980s, my personal favorite is “The Message” gallery that chronicles the origins of hip-hop from the South Bronx in 1976.

International African American Museum

Charleston, sc.

In perhaps the definition of a full circle moment, Charleston’s International African American Museum sits on the site where Gadsen’s Wharf once stood, the disembarkation point of up to 40 percent of all enslaved Africans arriving in the U.S. Although the museum features artifacts, images, and storytelling surrounding the period of enslavement, particularly in South Carolina, the museum is intentional about making the point that the history of African Americans did not start with enslavement. Guests can explore the diverse empires, cultures, and historic figures of West and Central Africa, including masks, currency, and jewelry and connect how these cultures stayed alive even through the trauma and displacement of slavery in groups like the aforementioned Gullah Geechee .

The content of the museum may fill you with contradictory emotions: sadness, joy, heartbreak, celebration, anger, and pride, but you'll leave the sacred space better for having visited. Best of all, there is a peaceful African Ancestors Memorial Garden filled with Palmetto trees outside the museum if you need room to process those emotions.

National Civil Rights Museum

Memphis, tn.

Memphis’s National Civil Rights Museum is housed in the former Lorraine Motel, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. The experience kicks off with an upbeat, 12-minute film that features actors and spoken word poets sharing the history of—but also the crucial need for—various civil rights movements across the United States in the forms of marches, protests, and sit-ins. (A warning, the following exhibits start during the violent period of Reconstruction leading into Jim Crow, and the museum does not sugarcoat any of the necessary, yet horrific, imagery from that time.) From there, you’ll follow the Civil Rights Movement with immersive artifacts like a Montgomery city bus you can board where a statue of Rosa Parks sits, or have a seat in Dr. King’s recreated Birmingham jail cell as audio from his “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” surrounds you. The final stop in the museum is the hotel room and balcony where Dr. King was murdered, which has been painstakingly recreated to be historically accurate to the time complete with his imagined belongings, dishware, and suitcase. To say it is a moving experience is an understatement.

This article was created in partnership in TravelCoterie , a Black-owned publication featuring travel news, tips, and cultural experiences.

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

TravelAwaits

Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list.

11 Inspiring African American History Tours In The U.S.

• Activities and Interests
• Black History
• Destinations
• Guided Tours
• History and Culture
• Sightseeing
• United States

History tells the story of the past, provides context to the present, and potentially a glimpse into the future. As is often the case, history repeats itself.

There’s no better way to learn about a place than by looking back. History tours can be priceless. After a year when race dominated the national conversation in a way not seen since the 1960s, there’s soul searching and a quest for knowledge and understanding. Start that journey with a guided tour that teaches and entertains.

While self-guided tours allow you to go at your own pace, I’m all for guided tours. You can’t beat having a passionate tour guide who knows the history backward and forward like they lived it. That insight is priceless and heightens the experience twofold.

Here are a few African American history tours to put on your must-go list.

1. Memphis Caravan Tour, Memphis, Tennessee 

A Tour of Possibilities offers this guided 2.5-hour tour of African American history that you enjoy from the comfort of your own car. You hear the guide’s commentary through your car speakers by accessing the link provided upon arrival. The exploration includes sites like the Slave Haven, where you descend the stairs into the dark, damp cellar and peer through the trapdoors and hidden passages where the fugitives were harbored, giving you a glimpse of those turbulent times. It also includes the National Civil Rights Museum/Lorraine Motel (where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated), Beale Street (nicknamed the Home of the Blues), and neighborhoods like Soulsville, South Memphis, Uptown, as well as the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, the I AM A MAN Plaza, and plenty more. Admission is $66.

For more things to do in Memphis, Tennessee , check out these 16 Fantastic Day Trips From Memphis . 

2. Charleston’s African American History And Heritage, Charleston, South Carolina 

West Africa’s contribution to the heritage and history of the Lowcountry is indisputable. Bulldog Tours explores the influence and experience of African Americans in Charleston from slavery and Jim Crow, to the Civil Rights struggle. Highlights of the 2-hour walking tour include significant sites like the Aiken Rhett House, Mother Emanuel AME Church, and the Philip Simmons Prayer Garden. Simmons was one of the most celebrated 20th century ironworkers in Charleston. He made more than 500 decorative pieces of ornamental wrought iron gates, fences, balconies, and window grills that dot the Charleston landscape. Adults are $37, children 4–12, $27, with children 3 and under free.

3. Black History River Cruise, San Antonio, Texas 

Twice a month — on the second Sunday and fourth Saturday — The San Antonio African American Community Archive and Museum and GO Rio River Cruises offer a 90-minute African American history tour . You’ll discover how the once richest Black man south of the Mason Dixon line got his start in San Antonio , see the location of the first “free” school for African Americans in San Antonio, learn about the African American 14-year-old male student who helped change San Antonio history, and more. Admission is $25.

4. The Black Journey: African American History Walking Tour, Philadelphia, PA 

This 90-minute tour starts off in front of the Independence Visitor Center and continues across the city at some of the nation’s most important and historical sites such as The President’s House, Congress Hall, Old City Hall, First U.S. Supreme Court Building, American Philosophical Society Museum, Independence Square, Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier, and Bicentennial Moon Tree — the former location of the Philadelphia Prison Site and the oldest continuous piece of land owned by people of African descent. You’ll go to Congo Square, visit the unmarked graves of free and enslaved victims of the yellow fever epidemic, and see where the Fugitive Slave Act was passed in 1793. Walk in the footsteps of enslaved people, abolitionists, slaveholders, and founding fathers. Tickets are $20–$35.

5. The James Brown Family Historical Tour, Augusta, Georgia

Get on the good foot. The Godfather of Soul has a special place in Black history. Nobody sang and danced quite like him. Cherish the memories with a private guided tour of his favorite haunts on a nearly 2-hour tour led by his daughter Deanna Brown-Thomas. You’ll visit his childhood home, spots where he hung out, restaurants, his elementary school, and more. Tours are $15 per person and can be set via the James Brown Family Foundation . 

6. Birding The Harriet Tubman Byway, Bucktown, Maryland 

Start your 4-hour adventure at the Brodess Farm Site in Bucktown. The guided drive and hike are for bird lovers. Harriet Tubman Tours and Delmarva Birding Weekends sponsor this adventure that goes along the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad in Dorchester County, Maryland . You’ll learn about Tubman as you make your way through the farms, Chesapeake Bay marshes, and Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, encountering some of the best birding and bald eagle watching. Cost is $65 per person.

If you want to learn more about the Underground Railroad, head north On The Way To Freedom . 

7. The Real Black Wall Street Tour, Tulsa, Oklahoma 

Despite the gravity of the Tulsa Race Massacre, until the 100th anniversary of the massacre this year, little was known about it. This tour will give you an education that might be painful but insightful. The tour takes place through the historic Tulsa district of Greenwood. You’ll hear the details about the people and buildings that were affected by the massacre, and the places that were bombed, including churches and schools. Warning, you might need a hanky. You’ll go through some of the neighborhoods that were leveled. Admission is $15.

8. Black History Tour, Washington, DC 

Washingtonian Christopher W. vows to show you what was left out of textbooks when it comes to the contributions of African Americans with his Tours By Locals . While you’ll get the expected — like the Lincoln Memorial and the spot where the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his “I Have A Dream” speech — you’ll also venture to the Frederick Douglass House, Lincoln Park, Howard University, Howard Theater, Ben’s Chili Bowl Mural, African American Civil War Memorial, and the African American History and Culture Museum during the 6-hour tour. Admission is $500 for up to four people.

9. Gullah Tour, Sandy Island, South Carolina 

Just south of Murrells Inlet is Sandy Island, where many of the 120 residents are Gullah Geechee descendants, the culture that originated from West African slaves who worked on the rice plantations in the 1700s. Start the 2-hour tour at the Sandy Island Boat Ramp and take a brief boat ride to Pyatt’s General Store with its African heritage gifts, Gullah Sweetgrass baskets, and more. Then you’ll board a passenger van and make your way around the island to the Sandy Island firehouse, old gravesites, church, community center, library, and more. Admission is $35.

10. Freedom Seekers Heritage Tour, Niagara County, New York 

The Niagara River and Gorge was an important crossing point into Canada for those using the Underground Railroad. For the freedom seekers who passed through the Niagara Frontier, the physical act of crossing the Niagara River represented the final act of courage and determination at the end of a long journey. Motherland Connextions’ tour takes you to key towns and sites. For over 3 hours you’ll visit the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center with its exhibits, scenic built environment, nearby murals of Harriet Tubman and freedom seekers, and more. In Lewiston, there’s the Freedom Crossing Monument on the bank of the Niagara River. The statue honors the courage of freedom seekers who sought a new life in Canada, and those who helped them on their journey across Niagara. Murphy Orchards in Burt is a farm that secretly housed enslaved people on the run in a barn. Another place of refuge is the many canals. You’ll see the Erie Canal in Lockport. The tour is $94 for adults and $67 for children.

11. Duke Street Black History Walking Tour, Alexandria, Virginia 

The 90-minute Manumission guided walking tour along the Duke Street corridor in Old Town Alexandria includes sites connected to the early Alexandria slave trade, such as the former site of Franklin & Armfield and the former Bruin Slave Jail that held the Edmonson sisters. The tour also includes sites that connect to early African Americans’ spirituality like the Shiloh Baptist Church and the Alexandria National Cemetery. You might want to check their other tours too. Freedom’s Fight in Alexandria Walking Tour highlights pre-Civil War history and the stories of runaway slaves, early abolitionists, and more. The Still’s Underground Railroad Walking Tour takes you along the downtown King Street corridor to hear about the Underground Railroad in Alexandria. The Black History in Alexandria bus tour is a 2-hour guided tour that will take you to the Freedom House Museum, Alfred Street Baptist Church, the site of the 1939 Library Sit-In, Contraband & Freedman Cemetery, and more. All Manumission Tours are $15 for adults and $12 for those 12 and under.

Sheryl Nance-Nash is a freelance writer specializing in travel. Her work has appeared on CNTraveler.com, TheDailyBeast, Fodors, Afar, Global Traveler Magazine, ShermansTravel, and Newsweek.com among others.

• Washington DC
• Tour Guides

African American History and Culture Bus Tour

Often at the epicenter of the activism surrounding civil and black rights in America, the country’s capital holds the key to some of history’s most captivating moments. From the most famous to lesser-known but equally significant sites, your tour guide will paint a picture of the city from the African American perspective. You’ll be picked up at the U.S. Navy Memorial with stops at momentous monuments such as the Emancipation Statue, Howard Theatre, and vibrant black communities.

Feel the weight of the world on your shoulders as you stand where Martin Luther King did when he roused audiences with his legendary ‘I have a dream,’ address. One of the most comprehensive African American history tours in Washington DC, you’ll also get tickets included to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Here, the tour ends so that you can explore the absorbing artifacts and exhibits at your leisure.

Dre is so knowledgeable and makes this tour so interesting! Curtis navigate DC streets like the expert he is! - neet50

Loved it from start to finish. The tour guide and the driver were both very knowledgeable. The weather was a plus also. - Ronald T.

My favorite part of this trip was how much knowledge the tour guide had. He was very knowledgeable and entertaining. Dre did an excellent job! - Monique C

Google Reviews

Originally scheduled the daytime tour with the riverboat cruise. Had to change due to flight delays and a mix up with rental cars. They were very accommodating and allowed us to switch the tour last minute to the night tour. Our tour guide, Nick was very knowledgeable and entertaining. Thanks so much for the memories!

Great tour that I would highly recommend. Curtis was our driver and nick was our tour guide. Very knowledgeable and had plenty of time at all the stops. They had just taken down the fences at the capitol so we were able to go on the lawn. We did the night tour and they picked us up at our hotel which was perfect since I had just had some foot surgery and walking was difficult. Would recommend this tour to everyone and Great price.

Initially I signed up for the AA tour because I couldn't get tickets to the NMAAHC. The tour guide made this one of the highlights of my trip. Well worth it. His knowledge was amazing. You can tell he loves the history of DC. I can't remember his name, he is in one of the pics below. Highly recommend.

Why type of buses does USA Guided Tours use?

Our luxury tour buses provide a comfortable and climate-controlled environment for an enjoyable touring experience, while also offering protection from the elements. We cater to various group sizes with a diverse fleet of vehicles, from SUVs to premium motor-coaches, ensuring that our private tours can be customized for couples or large groups alike. To maintain a more intimate atmosphere on our public tours, we intentionally limit the capacity of our tour buses to keep the average group size small. We do our best to keep large, same-party groups together on the same bus, but please remember that the seating is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Once you claim your seats – they’re reserved only for you for the duration of the tour.

What is USA Guided Tours cancelation policy?

Free Cancellation up to 24 Hours in Advance > if you cancel your booking 24 hours in advance of your tour departure time – a full refund will be issued

Free Cancellation up to 1 Hour in Advance With Tour Booking Insurance > if you purchase Tour Booking Insurance at $5.99 per person, booking cancellations may be made up to 1 hour in advance of your tour departure time for a full refund

Are we allowed to bring luggage on the tour?

Unfortunately, our shuttles are not wheelchair accessible, nor is there storage for baby strollers. If you have a wheelchair, please call us to make special vehicle arrangements for your tour. Some of our tours involve longer walks so if you like, you may stay on board the shuttle, near the landmark, without exiting the shuttle bus every time.

What are the blackout dates for tours?

Jan 1 New Year’s Day – All Tours Closed Jan 20 March for Life – Day Tours Closed Mar 18 Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon – Day Tours Closed Apr 2 Cherry Blossom Ten Miler – Day Tours Closed

Apr 15 National Cherry Blossom Parade® – Day Tours Closed May 7 National Women’s Half Marathon – Day Tours Closed

May 28 AMVETS’ “Rolling to Remember” – Day Tours Closed May 29 Memorial Day – All Tours Closed July 4 Independence Day – All Tours Closed Aug 28 The Commitment March – Day Tours Closed Oct 8 Army Ten Miler – Day Tours Closed Oct 29 Marine Corps Marathon – Day Tours Closed Oct 31 Halloween – Night Tours Closed Nov 23 Thanksgiving Day – All Tours Closed Dec 24 Christmas Eve – Night Tours Closed Dec 25 Christmas Day – All Tours Closed Dec 31 New Year’s Eve – All Tours Closed

You Might be Interested

Washington DC Private Tours

Private tours are a great option for organized travel groups, school groups, family reunions, and corporate trips! Led by expert tour guides and transported by luxury tour vehicles!

Best of DC — VIP Bus Tour

Experience Washington DC like a VIP: Our ultimate day tour with exclusive access to the National Archives and the U.S. Capitol Buildings. Book now for a presidential journey!

DC at Dusk Bus Tour

Experience the enchantment of Washington DC at night: Award-winning tour with expert guides and luxury transport. Book your memorable evening journey today!

Not Exactly What You’re Looking For?

Book a private tour and explore DC on your terms!

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. By using our site you consent cookies.

Privacy Overview

1020 O St., Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 653-7524 [email protected]

Explore This Section

• Admission, Hours & Tickets
• COVID-19 Guidelines
• FAQs & Accessibility
• Location, Directions & Parking
• Visitor Guide
• Field Trips
• Group Visits
• Celebrate Women Patch Tour
• Dolores Huerta Patch Tour
• Virtual Programs
• Lobby & Mezzanine
• Conference & Classrooms
• Amenities & Policies
• Estimate Request
• Volunteer Open House April 2024
• Registration Form

Black History Self-Guided Tour

• Docent on Duty
• Museums for All Low-Income Access
• Museums on US® Free Admission
• Fourth Fridays
• Download Blue Star Museums Parent Tool Kit
• Visit NEA Site

As featured on GoodDay Sacramento

The California Museum presents a self-guided Black History Tour highlighting African American contributions to California’s rich history. Focusing on themes of resilience, activism, democracy and community, this exploration of our signature and temporary exhibits highlights notable Black individuals, movements and organizations. Discover trailblazing individuals such as Bridget “Biddy” Mason, Venus and Serena Williams, and more!

This tour is designed for visitors of all ages to explore the Museum at their own pace using this  digital tour map . Map markers highlight focal points, organized by exhibit. Read, watch and listen symbols show patrons where they can find specific stories of extraordinary Black Americans.

To participate, use the  digital tour map  or print it out before your visit. You may purchase  tickets in advance  or upon your arrival anytime during  Museum hours . Last admission is 4 pm. 

We estimate this tour will take approximately one hour. Feel free to move through areas of interest at your own pace. There is a suggested path but no required order.

Preview the tour with GoodDay Sacramento’s Big Al Sams and the California Museum’s own Jessica Cushenberry:

Discover Your Roots: Explore Family History During the International African American Museum Virtual Tour

16 may 2024, 11:30 a.m. et.

Mark your calendars for a truly special event on 16 May 2024: the International African American Museum Virtual Tour. This tour will take you on a captivating exploration of the African American journey, uncovering untold stories and shining a light on the impact of African Americans on the nation, and the world.

At the heart of the International African American Museum (IAAM) lies the Center for Family History (CFH), a treasure trove dedicated to inspiring and educating African Americans on discovering their forgotten family stories. Whether you’re a seasoned genealogist or just dipping your toes into the waters of family history research, the CFH is here to support you every step of the way.

The CFH is not just a research center; it’s a beacon of support, passion, and purpose for African-Americans seeking to weave their family stories into the rich tapestry of American history. With tools, resources, and a community of fellow seekers, the CFH empowers people to connect with their ancestors and unravel the threads of family narrative.

So, join us on this virtual tour of the International African American Museum and embark on a journey of exploration, learning, and connection. Don’t miss this opportunity to discover more about this fantastic new museum and its work to add family stories to the ever-evolving American historical narrative. Let’s uncover the diverse journeys, origins, and achievements of the descendants of the African Diaspora together!

Related Posts

• National Genealogical Society
• 6400 Arlington Blvd, Suite 660, Falls Church, VA 22042-2318
• Telephone +1 703-525-0050 or +1 800-473-0060

© National Genealogical Society. All rights reserved.

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

A Guide of American Museums to Visit This Year

Siblings, parents and grandparents are collaborators and muses in a variety of upcoming shows around the country that highlight family traditions and bonds.

By Aodhan Beirne

This article is part of our Museums special section about how institutions are striving to offer their visitors more to see, do and feel.

The value of family in the lives and work of artists is being showcased at museums across the United States this spring.

In Texas, art by the de la Torre brothers and the Haas brothers highlights familial collaboration. In Baltimore, an exhibition of works by Joyce J. Scott is paired with an exhibition of her mother’s work, and in Florida, sculptures made by Rose B. Simpson are shown alongside those made by her mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Elsewhere, family members serve as muses for artists, keeping traditions alive while transforming them with contemporary appeal. Here is a selection.

“ Steve McQueen ”

For a new commission, Steve McQueen, the Oscar-winning director of “12 Years a Slave,” takes over the ground-level gallery with an immersive light and sound installation. The work is to then move to the Schaulager museum in Switzerland. A concurrent show of McQueen’s video artwork “Sunshine State” (2022) is scheduled to open at Dia Chelsea in Manhattan in September. Opens May 12; Dia Beacon, diaart.org

“ Before and After Again ”

The work in this show is a response to the killing of 10 Black people in a mass shooting at a Buffalo grocery store in May 2022. The artwork, poetry and prose by the Buffalo-based artists and producers Julia Bottoms, Tiffany Gaines and Jillian Hanesworth in the exhibition were created in dialogue with people affected by the attack, and they honor the contributions to the community of those who were murdered. Through Sept. 30; Buffalo AKG Art Museum, buffaloakg.org

NEW YORK CITY

“ Amalia Mesa-Bains: Archaeology of Memory ”

A trailblazer in Chicano art, Amalia Mesa-Bains is known for her reimagining of traditional Mexican altars and offerings and her presentations of Mexican American women’s spirituality. Presented are more than 40 works, including Mesa-Bains’s large-scale “altar-installations.” Her multipart “Venus Envy” series of installations is being shown together in its entirety for the first time here. May 2 through Aug. 11; El Museo del Barrio, elmuseo.org

“ Crafting Modernity: Design in Latin America, 1940-1980 ”

The focus here is on six Latin American countries that led the development of modern domestic design in the region: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela. With more than 100 objects, which include furniture, ceramics and textiles, this show examines how design provides context and understanding for the political, social and cultural transformations of the period. Through Sept. 22; Museum of Modern Art, moma.org

“ Hiroshige’s 100 Famous Views of Edo (feat. Takashi Murakami) ”

In his series of colorful prints, Utagawa Hiroshige depicts 19th-century Edo, now known as Tokyo, through images of the city’s shrines, restaurants, aqueducts and more. The set is being displayed for the first time in nearly a quarter century and is accompanied by photos of modern-day Tokyo as well as fantastical paintings by the artist Takashi Murakami, who created the works in response to Hiroshige’s prints. Through Aug. 4; Brooklyn Museum, brooklynmuseum.org

“ Melissa Cody: Webbed Skies ”

A fourth-generation weaver, Melissa Cody uses long-established techniques, including with a Navajo loom, while incorporating elements of contemporary technology. Highlighted here are more than 30 weavings, including one produced especially for the exhibition, that reframe and reinvent traditions. Through Sept. 9; MoMA PS1, momaps1.org

“ Preservation in Progress: Picturing Immigration ”

This show takes visitors behind the scenes of restoration work of “The Bay and Harbor of New York,” an 1855 painting by Samuel Bell Waugh that depicts immigrants arriving to the city. Gary McGowan, a conservator, will be working on the painting in the gallery on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. It opened on April 12, to coincide with the anniversary of the busiest day in Ellis Island history, when more than 11,000 immigrants were processed on April 17, 1907. Through Oct. 13; Museum of the City of New York, mcny.org

PORTLAND, Ore.

“ Future Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting-Edge Kicks ”

Showcasing nearly 60 designs that push the limits of what footwear can be, this exhibition includes sneakers made from mushroom leather and reclaimed ocean plastics, and shoes made for the metaverse. A mix of art, design and technology, it also features works by the architects Rem D. Koolhaas and Zaha Hadid, as well as designs made in collaboration with Rick Owens, Stella McCartney and more. Through Aug. 11; Portland Art Museum, portlandartmuseum.org

LOS ANGELES

“ Hollywoodland: Jewish Founders and the Making of a Movie Capital ”

Exploring the history of filmmaking in Los Angeles, this exhibition goes back to the early 20th century and explains how the city became the industry’s epicenter. It also highlights the contributions of the Jewish filmmakers who founded the Hollywood studio system. Opens May 19; Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, academymuseum.org

“ Simone Leigh ”

The work of the multimedia artist Simone Leigh examines Black female subjectivity, and much of it draws on traditions from Africa and across the African diaspora. This comprehensive survey presents works by her in ceramic, bronze, video and installation, and it features pieces from her 2022 Venice Biennale presentation. May 26 through Jan. 20, 2025; LACMA, lacma.org

PASADENA, Calif.

“ I Saw It: Francisco de Goya, Printmaker ”

The Spanish artist Francisco de Goya is considered by many to be both the last old master and the first modern one. Much of his early work focused on portraits of the aristocracy, but Goya was also a printmaker and often used the medium to depict and scrutinize Spanish culture. On view here are his four major print series, as well as works by artists who were inspired by Goya, including Pablo Picasso, Yinka Shonibare and Andy Warhol. Through Aug. 5; Norton Simon Museum, nortonsimon.org

SAN FRANCISCO

“ Irving Penn ”

For nearly 70 years, Irving Penn helped revolutionize fashion photography. Shown here are around 175 photographs by Penn, the longtime Vogue contributor, including documentary scenes, abstract nudes and celebrity portraits of Audrey Hepburn, Marlene Dietrich and more. Through July 21; de Young, famsf.org

“ Phoenix Kingdoms: The Last Splendor of China’s Bronze Age ”

Based on recent archaeological discoveries, this exhibition showcases the technological and artistic advancements of the Zeng and Chu states of Bronze Age China, kingdoms that preceded and were largely overshadowed in historical records by the Qin Empire. This is the final show in a trilogy at the Asian Art Museum and follows “Terracotta Warriors” and “Tomb Treasures: New Discoveries From China’s Han Dynasty.” Through July 22; Asian Art Museum, asianart.org

Mid-Atlantic

“ Joyce J. Scott: Walk a Mile in My Dreams ”

A retrospective of the 50-year career of the Baltimore-based contemporary artist, this show features more than 120 objects, including Scott’s sculpture, garments and prints, as well as performance footage and archival materials. Running through Sunday at the Baltimore Museum of Art is also a companion exhibition of works by Scott’s mother, “Eyewinkers, Tumbleturds, and Candlebugs: The Art of Elizabeth Talford Scott.” Through July 14; Baltimore Museum of Art, artbma.org

PHILADELPHIA

“ Mary Cassatt at Work ”

Mary Cassatt was a Pennsylvania-born Impressionist painter who spent much of her adult life in Paris and whose work often depicted the social and working lives of women. This exhibition, with more than 130 works, also looks at Cassatt’s own professional life, and it will present new information about the materials she used and her artistic process. May 18 through Sept. 8; Philadelphia Museum of Art, philamuseum.org

“ Everlasting Plastics ”

First shown at the Venice Biennale of Architecture in 2023, this show examines how plastics shape and degrade economies and environments. Through site-specific commissions by five artists, architects and designers, it also considers how our relationship with the materials has changed as well as their unknown impact on our future. Through July 21; Carnegie Museum of Art, carnegieart.org

WASHINGTON, D.C.

“ Revolutions: Art from the Hirshhorn Collection, 1860-1960 ”

To celebrate its 50th anniversary, the museum is presenting an exhibition that examines the cultural and artistic transformation during 100 years marked by increasing mechanization and scientific and philosophical development. The more than 200 artworks, shown mostly in chronological order, include pieces by Georgia O’Keeffe, Jackson Pollock, Joan Miró and Picasso. Through April 20, 2025; Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden, hirshhorn.si.edu

“ Christina Ramberg: A Retrospective ”

Christina Ramberg, part of a group of artists known as the Chicago Imagists, often depicted fragmented female bodies — hair, hands and, particularly, torsos — in her paintings. The 100 or so works shown here include some of those pieces as well as the experimental quilts that Ramberg made in the late 1980s during a break from painting. Through Aug. 11; Art Institute of Chicago, artic.edu

“ The United Colors of Robert Earl Paige ”

Though raised in Chicago’s South Side, Robert Paige helped bring West African designs into American homes in the 1970s with his Dakkabar collection of fabrics, which was carried by Sears. Six decades of his textile designs are shown here along with recent clay, painting, drawing and collage pieces that he made during a recent residency at the Hyde Park Art Center. Through Oct. 27; Hyde Park Art Center, hydeparkart.org

“ Virginia Jaramillo: Principle of Equivalence ”

The abstract artist Virginia Jaramillo draws on her studies of physics, science fiction, mythology and modernist design. Her paintings and handmade-paper works examine how we experience the physical world and offer alternative understandings through abstraction. This show, of more than 40 works, includes her “Curvilinear” series, as well as works made during a collaboration with the Dieu Donné papermill in New York. May 4 through Jan. 5, 2025; Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, mcachicago.org

“ Korean Couture: Generations of Revolution ”

This exhibition, which features about 30 pieces, including 17th-century aristocratic garments, traces the history and transformation of Korean fashion. A combination of traditional Korean aesthetics with contemporary trends is shown through the work of designers such as André Kim, Lie Sang Bong and Lee Jean Youn. Sunday through Oct. 13; Cleveland Museum of Art, clevelandart.org

“ To My Friends at Horn: Keith Haring and Iowa City ”

In 1984 and 1989, Keith Haring made trips to Iowa City to visit Ernest Horn Elementary School. On the first, he conducted workshops with students in a three-day residency, and on the second he completed a mural at the school. That mural, “A Book Full of Fun,” is on loan here while the school is renovated. May 4 through Jan. 5, 2025; University of Iowa Stanley Museum of Art, stanleymuseum.uiowa.edu

Mountain West

“ Biophilia: Nature Reimagined ”

Biophilia is a theory suggesting that humans innately seek a connection with nature and other life-forms. This show, through more than 80 works, including by Iris van Herpen, Studio Gang and teamLab, reflects on that idea, particularly in the context of a digital and urban world. May 5 through Aug. 11; Denver Art Museum, denverartmuseum.org

New England

“ Beyond Brilliance: Jewelry Highlights from the Collection ”

Pulled from the museum’s collection, the more than 150 pieces in this exhibition cover thousands of years. Among the highlights are an ancient Egyptian broad-collar necklace and 20th-century designs by Tiffany & Company and Bulgari. The contemporary designers featured include Christian and Yasmin Hemmerle, Wallace Chan and Feng J. Opens May 18; Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; mfa.org

“ Firelei Báez ”

The work of Firelei Báez, a Dominican-born artist who lives and works in New York, examines and questions historical narratives, particularly about colonialism and the African diaspora. Her paintings, drawings and installations are informed by anthropology, geography, folklore and other disciplines. This show will feature about 40 works before it moves to Vancouver, British Columbia, and then to Des Moines. Through Sept. 2; Institute of Contemporary Art, icaboston.org

SALEM, Mass.

“ Ethiopia at the Crossroads ”

Covering nearly 2,000 years of Ethiopian art and culture, the more than 200 objects in this exhibition include painted religious icons, illuminated manuscripts and metalwork. These pieces are paired with works by contemporary artists, such as Wosene Worke Kosrof, Julie Mehretu and Helina Metaferia, to trace the artistic traditions of the East African nation to the present day. Through July 7; Peabody Essex Museum, pem.org

HARTFORD, Conn.

“ Styling Identities: Hair’s Tangled Histories ”

Done in collaboration with local hairstylists and other members of the Hartford community, this show tells the story of hair and its various meanings. Arranged in four thematic sections — dealing with issues of community, change, care and judgments — the exhibition includes works by Lee Krasner, Mickalene Thomas and Cindy Sherman, and it is drawn primarily from the museum’s collection. Braiders, barbers and other hairstylists will be on site to work on visitors’ hair as part of the exhibition. Through Aug. 11; Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, thewadsworth.org

“ Truth Told Slant: Contemporary Photography ”

This exhibition takes its name from an Emily Dickinson poem ( “Tell all the truth but tell it slant” ) and features five emerging photographers who challenge traditional documentary photography practices. Instead of showing disinterested observation, they embrace their own subjectivity on subjects such as race, sexual orientation, globalization and environmental justice. Through Aug. 11; High Museum of Art, high.org

CHARLOTTE, N.C.

“ Shinichi Sawada: Agents of Clay ”

In the mountains of Shiga Prefecture, the Japanese ceramist Shinichi Sawada, who is autistic and mostly nonverbal, creates fantastical clay figures. Shown here are about 30 of his sculptures, which explore Japanese and Shigaraki pottery traditions. Saturday through Aug. 11; Mint Museum Randolph, mintmuseum.org

“ Lee Alexander McQueen & Ann Ray: Rendez-Vous ”

The fashion photographer Ann Ray had unparalleled access to the world of Alexander McQueen, the provocative British fashion designer who died in 2010. Over 13 years and 43 collections, Ray created an archive of more than 32,000 negatives. She picked 65 photographs, which will be shown alongside dozens of McQueen garments. May 30 through Aug. 25; Frist Art Museum, fristartmuseum.org

RALEIGH, N.C.

“ To Take Shape and Meaning: Form and Design in Contemporary American Indian Art ”

This show features works by 75 contemporary Indigenous artists from more than 50 tribes throughout the United States and Canada. The art, including a beaded pair of Christian Louboutin shoes and a piece created from a Chevrolet El Camino, highlight the traditions and evolutions of Native art. Through July 28; North Carolina Museum of Art, ncartmuseum.org

“ Huguette Caland: Outside the Line (1970-84) ”

The Lebanese artist Huguette Caland moved to Paris in 1970. There she created a series of paintings, “Bribes de corps” (Body Parts, 1973-76), shown here alongside associated works of hers. Her erotic and abstract art depicts the body, sometimes her own and often close-up, in colorful and intimate lines. May 3 through Oct. 6; Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami; icamiami.org

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.

“ Rose B. Simpson: Journeys of Clay ”

A mixed-media sculpture artist, Rose B. Simpson comes from a long matrilineal line of ceramists and potters. This show explores the relationship between Simpson, a member of the Santa Clara Pueblo in New Mexico, and her relatives, and it features sculptures by her mother, Roxanne Swentzell; her grandmother Rina Swentzell; and her great-grandmother Rose Naranjo. Through Sept. 1; Norton Museum of Art, norton.org

“ Haas Brothers: Moonlight ”

Exhibited here are a series of installations, both indoors and outdoors, by the fraternal twins Nikolai and Simon Haas, who make imaginative and fantastical sculptural objects. Among the works will be two “Moon Towers,” tall, glowing sculptures inspired by the streetlamps of Austin, Texas, that will stand in front of the museum. May 11 through Aug. 25, Nasher Sculpture Center, nashersculpturecenter.org

“ Art and War in the Renaissance: The Battle of Pavia Tapestries ”

For the first time in the United States, the entire series of these seven large-scale tapestries will be shown. A celebration of the victory by Charles V, the Holy Roman Emperor, over King Francis I of France in the Italian War of 1521-1526, the tapestries provide insights into Renaissance history, technology and style. They will be shown alongside arms and armor from the period. June 16 through Sept. 15; Kimbell Art Museum, kimbellart.org

SAN ANTONIO

“ de la Torre Brothers: Upward Mobility "

The brothers Einar and Jamex de la Torre began collaborating in earnest in the 1990s and create maximalist and often satirical mixed-media art. Their influences include Catholic iconography, Aztec mythology and German expressionism, and this exhibition, across four galleries, features their glass sculpture, lenticular prints, video work and installations. Through Sept. 15; McNay Art Museum, mcnayart.org

“ Multiple Realities: Experimental Art in the Eastern Bloc, 1960s-1980s ”

Highlighted here is the creative experimentation of Eastern and Central European artists of the period in their efforts to circumvent and elude the restrictions and controls on how their work was made and circulated. Nearly 100 artists from East Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania and Yugoslavia are featured. Through Sept. 15; Phoenix Art Museum, phxart.org

Art and Museums in New York City

A guide to the shows, exhibitions and artists shaping the city’s cultural landscape..

Uzodinma Iweala, chief executive of The Africa Center , will leave at the end of 2024 after guiding it through the pandemic and securing funds.

Renaissance portraits go undercover in the new Metropolitan Museum show  “Hidden Faces,” about the practice of concealing artworks behind sliding panels and reverse-side paintings.

Donna Dennis is a trailblazer of the architectural sculpture movement, and her diaries rival Frida Kahlo’s. Are we ready for the unsettling clarity of the godmother  of installation art?

The Rubin will be “reimagined” as a global museum , but our critic says its charismatic presence will be only a troubling memory.

How do you make an artwork sing? Let your unconscious mind do it . That’s the message of an alluring show at the Japan Society.

Looking for more art in the city? Here are the gallery shows not to miss in April .

National Museum of African American History & Culture

• Plan Your Visit

Group Visits

• Frequently Asked Questions
• Accessibility Options
• Sweet Home Café
• Museum Store
• Museum Maps
• Our Mobile App
• Search the Collection
• Initiatives
• Museum Centers
• Publications
• Digital Resource Guide
• The Searchable Museum
• Exhibitions
• Freedmen's Bureau Search Portal
• Slavery and Freedom
• Early Childhood
• Talking About Race
• Digital Learning
• Strategic Partnerships
• Ways to Give
• Internships & Fellowships
• Today at the Museum
• Upcoming Events
• Ongoing Tours & Activities
• Past Events
• Host an Event at NMAAHC
• About the Museum
• The Building
• Meet Our Curators
• Founding Donors
• Corporate Leadership Councils
• NMAAHC Annual Reports

We are excited to welcome groups from around the country and the world.

The National Museum of African American History and Culture welcomes groups of 10 or more to reserve free timed-entry passes. Please be aware we are operating at a reduced capacity for visitation. To help you prepare for your visit, we have provided the following guidance when planning your visit. 

• Large groups must form smaller groups of 10 to enhance your experience and  maximize safety .
• Children ages 18 and younger must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
• One chaperone is required for each group of 10 students.
• Visits after 2:00 p.m. can be less crowded. 
• Visitors are able to enter the museum until 4:00 p.m.
• The museum is open until 5:30 p.m.

If you arrive more than two hours past your entry time, entrance is not guaranteed and is based on capacity. 

Tour Bus Parking Near the Mall

There are several areas where tour busses can park on a first-come, first-served basis. For information on bus parking sites, please contact the National Park Service Mall Operations Office at 202-426-6841.

Families, Teacher-Led and Other Adult Groups

Our visitor and guest services team will be available to support your time at the museum. The maximum group size per day is 200. If you have a group larger than 200, please contact [email protected]. 

Group Pass Release Schedule

Group passes are released on a rolling basis, on the 3 rd  Monday of the month at 9:00 AM EST.

Month Available           Release Date  July  2024                      Monday, May 20th, 2024 August 2024                  Monday, June 17th, 2024 September 2024           Monday, July 15th, 2024 October 2024               Monday, August 19th, 2024 November 2024            Monday, September 16th, 2024 December 2024            Monday, October 21st, 2024

Tour Operators

We look forward to welcoming your visitors to Washington, DC. Licensed tour operators may book through our tour group reservation system. We encourage you to review information on our maximum daily group size and entry time when reserving timed-entry passes.

Request Link

Subtitle here for the credits modal.

• Guided tour

Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts: world art from antiquity to modernity

• Description
• Choose date

The Pushkin Museum’s collection consists of over 670,000 works that span three buildings, making it one of the largest museums in the world and the second largest in Russia after the Hermitage Museum.

The museum has a wide variety of artwork, but it is most known for having one of the most expensive collections of nineteenth and twentieth century European art in the world. You will find a world-famous collection of paintings from the nineteenth to the beginning of the twentieth century, containing, among others, major works by Monet, Renoir, Degas, Gauguin, Van Gogh, Cezanne, Matisse, and Picasso.

We invite you on a tour of the collection with our most knowledgeable guides.

The European building of the Pushkin Museum primarily contains the private collections of three prominent business men of the nineteenth century: Sergei Tretyakov (1834-1892), Sergei Shchukin (1854–1936) and Ivan Morozov (1871-1921). 

In 1923 the collections of Sergei Tretyakov, Sergei Shchukin and Ivan Morozov were merged and became part of the collection of the new State Museum of Modern Western Art. Part of its collection was handed over to the Hermitage and some of the best works of art were secretly sold to Western buyers carried out in Berlin. Fortunately for the collection, Hitler’s rise to power meant that Russia could no longer trust Germany and all sales were halted. In the 1930s Stalin decreed that these paintings contain no educational value and with the outbreak of WWII all of the paintings were evacuated to Siberia. Large canvases were rolled up and remained in this state for many years; this includes Matisse’s Dance and Music. During the war the Nazis heavily bombed all of the museums in Russia. Had these paintings not been shipped to Siberia they all probably would have been destroyed. After WWII the paintings returned to Moscow where they were divided up between the Pushkin Museum, the Hermitage and several provincial museums. Some paintings were destroyed completely.

The Pushkin Museum got the very best of the paintings except for Shchukin’s collection of cubist works by Picasso that were handed over to the Hermitage without a tear shed. Now enriched beyond imagination, the Hermitage was unable to display a single one of the paintings it had received. For a long time they were kept in "Storeroom A" where they could be viewed only by a few artists who were able to pull strings. 

It is only in the beginning of the 21st century that the new museum building in Volkhonka street was opened to the public. Our guests have a chance to get acquainted with the very colourful lot.

Visitors who are familiar with the history of Western art will find this unique selection a real eye-opener. There is so much to see in this huge collection that we are sure you will want to return!

The cost of an excursion with a personal guide for 1 person

Meeting point: We'll pick you up at your hotel

Art of the Ancient world

Art of the Middle Ages and Renaissance

European art of the 17th- 19th centuries

Collection of scripts

Tsvetaev’s collection of plaster casts

End of tour

Choose your dates

Select time, who's going.

• Excursion Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts: world art from antiquity to modernity
• Date and time:
• Who's going:

R&K Insider

Join our newsletter to get exclusives on where our correspondents travel, what they eat, where they stay. Free to sign up.

A History of Moscow in 13 Dishes

Featured city guides.