A congressionally-appointed panel on Wednesday called for the creation of a U.S. museum of women's history, with preferred sites on or near Washington's National Mall.

The American Museum of Women's History would close a gap in the U.S. capital, which has museums devoted to everything from space and spies to stamps and black history, but none focused on women, its backers said.

"America needs and deserves a physical national museum dedicated to showcasing the historical experiences and impact of women in this country," said the report from the seven-member commission - all women - empaneled by Congress in 2014.