Museum of the Bible facts for kids
 |
|
Museum of the Bible, November 4, 2017 before opening
|
|
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
| Established | November 17, 2017 |
|---|---|
| Location | 400 4th St SW Washington, D.C., United States |
| Type | History museum |
| Collection size | 40,000+ |
| Founder | Steve Green |
| Architect | David Greenbaum |
| Public transit access |  Federal Center SW |
The Museum of the Bible is a special museum in Washington D.C.. It was started in 2010 by the Green family. This museum helps people learn about the Bible – its stories, its history, and how it has changed the world. It opened its doors on November 17, 2017.
The museum has over 40,000 items in its collection. These include ancient writings and rare Bibles. The museum says it is for everyone and not linked to one specific religion. It aims to let visitors explore the Bible's story for themselves.
Before it opened, some people asked questions about how the museum got some of its old items. The museum received a special blessing from Pope Francis. Important people like the Mayor of Washington, D.C., Muriel Bowser, and the Israeli Ambassador, Ron Dermer, attended the opening. The museum charges an entry fee. It also has places to eat, including a restaurant that serves special kosher food.
Contents
Museum History: How It Started
The Museum of the Bible began as a non-profit group in 2010. The Green family bought an old building in Washington, D.C., in 2012. This building used to be a warehouse and was built in 1923. It is very close to the famous National Mall.
The main people who gave money for the museum were Hobby Lobby and the Green family. The museum's first president, Cary Summers, said the goal was to "reacquaint the world with the book that helped make it." He wanted visitors to make their own decisions about the Bible.
The museum project cost about $400 million. They fixed up the old building and added two new floors. They also built a cafe and garden on the roof. The original red bricks from 1923 were restored. New bricks were brought in from Denmark.
The building is now a protected historical site. The glass roof offers amazing views of the United States Capitol building. You can also see the Washington Monument and other Smithsonian museums.
What You Can See Inside: Museum Exhibits
The museum's exhibits teach about the Bible's influence throughout history. Experts like Bible scholar David Trobisch helped plan the exhibits. They worked with many different religious and non-religious groups.
The museum has six floors, and each floor shows a different part of the Bible's history or impact. There are three main exhibit floors, each very large.
First Floor: Ancient Worlds and Technology
The first floor mixes old items with new technology. This helps visitors feel like they are part of the Bible's stories. The main entrance has huge bronze doors, 40 feet (12 meters) tall. These doors show scenes from the creation story in Genesis.
The lobby has a giant LED ceiling, 140 feet (42 meters) long. It can show different pictures and messages. On this floor, you can take a virtual reality tour of places like the Sea of Galilee. There is also an exhibit from the Vatican Museum.
Second Floor: Bible's Impact on Culture
The second floor shows how the Bible has influenced the world. It covers areas like science, fairness, and freedom. One part of this floor focuses on how the Bible shaped American history.
You can also take a "flying" tour of Washington D.C. This tour points out places in the city that have links to the Bible.
Third Floor: The Bible's Main Story
The third floor tells the main story of the Bible. It starts with Abraham and goes through the creation of Israel. It also covers the life of Jesus and the early church. This floor has a big section dedicated to the Jewish Bible.
Fourth Floor: History and Archaeology
The fourth floor explores biblical history and archaeology. Experts made sure to explain different viewpoints and arguments from history.
Fifth Floor: Performances and Special Displays
The fifth floor has a theater that can hold 500 people. Here, the museum hosts talks by scholars. They also have shows and performances about the Bible. The Broadway show Amazing Grace even opened here. This floor also has special exhibits from the Israel Antiquities Authority.
Sixth Floor: Views and Gardens
The sixth floor has a rooftop area with great views of the National Mall and the U.S. Capitol. You can see beautiful stained glass art here. There's also a large room for events.
The museum has over 40,000 objects. These include ancient papyrus writings and rare printed Bibles. There are also Jewish artifacts and Christian treasures. Some items are on loan from other museums and collectors. You can also see a copy of the Liberty Bell with a Bible verse on it.
On the roof, there is a Biblical garden. Here, you can see plants that are mentioned in the Bible.
Old Writings Collection
The Museum of the Bible has many old writings, called manuscripts. These include very old papyrus scrolls from the 3rd or 4th century. There's also a Bible from around the year 1000. Other items include a prayer book for a young Charles V.
Food and Dining
The museum has a nice restaurant called Manna. It serves food inspired by the Mediterranean region. The food is also certified as kosher. There is also a more casual cafe called Milk and Honey, where you can get lunch and coffee.
Grand Opening Events
The museum officially opened on November 17, 2017. Before that, there was a special party for museum officials and guests.
Pope Francis sent an official blessing for the museum's opening. He hoped that people who believe in the Bible would find their faith strengthened. He also hoped others would learn about the Bible's important history.
Many important people attended the dedication ceremony. These included Gospel singer CeCe Winans, who sang "Amazing Grace". The Mayor of Washington, D.C., Muriel Bowser, also spoke. The Israeli Ambassador, Ron Dermer, talked about the importance of Jerusalem to Jewish people.
When the museum opened to the public on November 18, there were not very long lines. Some parts of the museum were busy, while others were quieter.
Dead Sea Scrolls: A Story of Forgeries
When the museum first opened, it displayed some pieces of the Dead Sea Scrolls. These were given to the museum by its founder, Steve Green. However, some experts thought these pieces might not be real. They were worried about how the museum got them.
The museum decided to have the scrolls tested by experts in Germany. Even while testing was happening, the museum kept the pieces on display. They put a sign saying that experts were still debating if they were real.
In 2018, the museum announced that five of the sixteen pieces were indeed forgeries. This means they were not truly ancient. The museum removed these fake pieces from display. In March 2020, the museum confirmed that all sixteen pieces were forgeries. These fake pieces are part of a larger group of about 70 fake Dead Sea Scroll pieces that appeared on the market in 2002.
A professor named Christopher Rollston said he was happy that the museum was honest about the forgeries. He noted that museums usually don't talk openly about fake items.
Images for kids
-
Detail of museum plaque
-
Front entrance
-
Street level view
-
Exterior wall
