National Museum of the American People facts for kids
The National Museum of the American People is a new museum planned for Washington, D.C.. Its main goal is to tell the amazing story of how the American people were formed. This includes the journeys of all people who came to this land. The museum will use a storytelling style, much like the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
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About the Museum
The idea for this museum comes from a group called the Coalition for the National Museum of the American People. This group includes more than 250 different organizations. They believe the museum will "tell the story of every American ethnic and cultural group." This means showing how people came to this land from all over the world. The museum also has support from 19 groups that help refugees and immigrants.
How the Idea Started
The idea for the museum began with a person named Sam Eskenazi. He used to work at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. In the late 1990s, he was walking by a large building in Washington, D.C. He wondered what kind of museum could be built there.
He realized it could be a museum about all the different people who came to America. He even thought of the name right away: the National Museum of the American People. Many people are surprised that a museum like this doesn't already exist.
Getting Support for the Museum
In 2008, a politician named Maurice Hinchey introduced a bill in Congress. A bill is a proposed law. This bill suggested creating a group to study the idea of the museum.
After this, Sam Eskenazi started a group of organizations in 2009. Their goal was to support the museum's creation. They officially announced their project in 2011. They also began to gather support from other politicians in the United States Congress.
Politicians like Jim Moran and Brian Schatz have helped. They have introduced ideas in Congress to study the museum. They want this study to happen without using government money. In 2011, a local newspaper even called it the "Best Museum That Doesn't Exist Yet."
Finding a Location
Finding a place for a new museum in Washington, D.C., can be tricky. One possible spot for the museum is at the south end of L'Enfant Promenade. This area is currently a park called Benjamin Banneker Park. It is about half a mile from the famous Smithsonian Castle.
What the Museum Will Show
The people planning the museum have many ideas for what it will include. There will be a main exhibit called The Story of the American People. This exhibit will tell the history of everyone who came to America.
The museum also plans to have a special center for studying the American people. Over 145 experts have offered to help with this. There will also be a center for family history, an education center, and a library. This library will keep records about American migration and immigration.
The Story in Four Chapters
The main exhibit will tell the story of America's people in four parts:
- Chapter I, The First Peoples Come: This part will cover the time from about 20,000 years ago until 1607. It will focus on the first people who arrived in North America.
- Chapter II, The Nation Takes Form: This chapter will cover the years from 1607 to 1820. It will explain how the United States began to form.
- Chapter III, The Great In-Gathering: This section will look at the period from 1820 to 1924. This was a time when many people immigrated to the country.
- Chapter IV, And Still They Come: This final chapter will cover from 1924 to today. It will show how people continue to arrive and contribute to America.
