The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) reopened on Sept 18th after many months of being closed due to Covid-19. The announcement that the museum was opening back up was announced via. Twitter on Sept 14th. The NMAAHC is one out of four Smithsonian museums that will be involved in the first phase of reopening.
Our Museum will reopen to the public on Friday, September 18.
Free timed entry passes will be required for all visitors: https://t.co/2TpjIkjILM pic.twitter.com/b3bKstLQmA
— Smithsonian NMAAHC (@NMAAHC) September 14, 2020
On the NMAAHC website, it highlights many guidelines guests will have to follow now that they’re back open to the public. Like many museums located in the D.C area, they’re free. NMAAHC usually makes sure visitors have entry passes so they’re able to view the history-making museum. That rule seems to be returning for guests, no matter the guest’s age. NMAAHC also stated that a person could claim up to six timed entry passes to enter the museum. However, any groups bigger than six are strictly prohibited.
The safety measures the museum will be following are as followed: social distancing, requiring face coverings in the museum, monitoring the number of visitors in the museum, and hand sanitizing stations. The social distancing protocol includes a one-way path and directional guidance. The face coverings protocol includes requiring all guests of the ages two and up having to wear a mask at all times. Also, face shields or any kind of face-covering or mask with an exhalation valve are not permitted. The museum also will have hand sanitizing stations throughout the facilities.
The museum also adjusted its hours of operation for this reopening phase. Deciding to close the museum Monday and Tuesday. While being open Wednesday through Sunday, from 11 a.m to 4 p.m.
With the most recent events that happened during the country’s shutdown, you could expect the NMAAHC to have exhibits displaying the historical events that happened within the months. From George Floyd to Breonna Taylor, the museum is working towards adding those names and what they bring to African American history into their museum.
Lonnie G. Bunch III, who’s the secretary and one of the founder’s of NMAAHC stated, “To eventually be able to tell the story of the last several months, the Smithsonian’s curators have begun collecting the art, signs, photographs and other artifacts that multiplied during the protests, including items from protesters at Lafayette Square near the White House.”
Although exhibits dedicated to the events that happened during the country’s shutdown will not be available during the reopening phase of the museum, the museum offers other wonderful exhibits that bring attention and light to African American culture.
The NMAAHC is officially open following strict guidelines in order to guarantee guests are safe. In order to be able to visit the museum, you must reserve a pass on their website. Which sometimes is very hard to come upon due to the high demand of people wanting to see this beautiful museum that displays so much about African American culture and history.
