National Museum of African American History and Culture Reaches Milestone of 1 Million Visitors

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture topped the 1 million mark in visitors last week, a milestone reached in just over four months since its Sept. 24, 2016, opening. And the museum’s dwell time, the length of time a visitor stays in a museum, is unparalleled—averaging six hours or more on weekends compared to 75 minutes to two hours for most museums.

“The opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture was a 13-year journey to foster a broader understanding of the black experience in a national and international context,” said Lonnie Bunch, the museum’s founding director. “It has truly become a place of healing, reconciliation and celebration where people can embrace not only African American history and culture, but how that layered history has shaped America’s identity.”

The museum’s diverse features and programming—from its 11 inaugural exhibitions showcasing 3,000 objects illustrating African American history to its research and education programs, Contemplative Court, theater, store and café—have helped to draw visitors from across the country and throughout the world.