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Home • Culture

These Pics From The National Museum of African American History and Culture Will Give You Serious FOMO

The opening of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture was one for the books. Locals and visitors flocked to Washington D.C. to witness the star studded, pride-filled day-a day that was way overdue but well received for many. Everyone from The Obamas to Oprah made sure to make an appearance, as on lookers took hundreds of selfies to document a moment in history. Check out the best photos from the weekend!  
By Joslyn Winkfield · Updated October 26, 2020
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01
A Museum for Us
Grayson Haywood, Janice Haywood and Landin Haywood from Chicago attend the opening of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture.
These Pics From The National Museum of African American History and Culture Will Give You Serious FOMO
Paul Morigi/Getty Images
02
A Museum for Us
Louis Mendes, a NYC resident, takes polaroids of spectators and tourists surrounding the new National Museum of African American History and Culture.
These Pics From The National Museum of African American History and Culture Will Give You Serious FOMO
Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post via Getty Images
03
A Museum for Us
Pat Weldon, a Virginia Beach local, gives the thumbs up as she waits to enter the New National Museum of African American History and Culture.
These Pics From The National Museum of African American History and Culture Will Give You Serious FOMO
Katherine Frey/The Washington Post via Getty Images
04
A Museum for Us
Visitors to the newly opened African American Musuem ride an escalator to an upper floor.
These Pics From The National Museum of African American History and Culture Will Give You Serious FOMO
Bill O’Leary/The Washington Post via Getty Images
05
A Museum for Us
Barack Obama, and Michelle Obama, arrives for the dedication of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
These Pics From The National Museum of African American History and Culture Will Give You Serious FOMO
Astrid Riecken/Getty Images
06
A Museum for Us
Cousins from Bowie, Maryland enjoying popsicles across from the new National Museum of African American History and Culture.
These Pics From The National Museum of African American History and Culture Will Give You Serious FOMO
Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post via Getty Images
07
A Museum for Us
Joyce Mitchelson, an Arlington, VA native, laughs as she tries to hold a yoga pose with her eyes closed as part of Yoga on the Mall while she waits for her chance to go to the museum.
These Pics From The National Museum of African American History and Culture Will Give You Serious FOMO
Katherine Frey/The Washington Post via Getty Images
08
A Museum for Us
A family from f Jacksonville, North Carolina, traveled the opening day of the new National Museum of African American History and Culture.
These Pics From The National Museum of African American History and Culture Will Give You Serious FOMO
Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post via Getty Images
09
A Museum for Us
Dave Chappelle attends the opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
These Pics From The National Museum of African American History and Culture Will Give You Serious FOMO
Monica Morgan/WireImage
10
A Museum for Us
An outside view of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
These Pics From The National Museum of African American History and Culture Will Give You Serious FOMO
Monica Morgan/WireImage
11
A Museum for Us
Ericka(CQ) Hart performing during the festivites of the new National Museum of African American History and Culture.
These Pics From The National Museum of African American History and Culture Will Give You Serious FOMO
Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post via Getty Images
12
A Museum for Us
Patti LaBelle attends the opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
These Pics From The National Museum of African American History and Culture Will Give You Serious FOMO
Monica Morgan/WireImage
13
A Museum for Us
Hundreds of people enjoy a performance from Public Enemy during the Freedom Sounds concert on the National Mall.
These Pics From The National Museum of African American History and Culture Will Give You Serious FOMO
Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post via Getty Images
14
A Museum for Us
Robert L. Johnson and Donnie Simpson attends the opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
These Pics From The National Museum of African American History and Culture Will Give You Serious FOMO
Monica Morgan/WireImage
15
A Museum for Us
Janice Woodward, and her daughter, Landyn and son Grayson, listen to President Barack Obama during the dedication of the grand opening of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.
These Pics From The National Museum of African American History and Culture Will Give You Serious FOMO
Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post via Getty Images
16
A Museum for Us
Shirley Kinsey and Bernard Kinsey attends the opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
These Pics From The National Museum of African American History and Culture Will Give You Serious FOMO
Monica Morgan/WireImage
17
A Museum for Us
Henry Louis Gates attends the opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
These Pics From The National Museum of African American History and Culture Will Give You Serious FOMO
Monica Morgan/WireImage
18
A Museum for Us
Janelle Monae attends the opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
These Pics From The National Museum of African American History and Culture Will Give You Serious FOMO
Monica Morgan/WireImage
19
A Museum for Us
President Obama and four generations of the Bonner family, who are descendants of slaves, stand together to have their picture taken after ringing the First Baptist Church Bell to officially open the museum.
These Pics From The National Museum of African American History and Culture Will Give You Serious FOMO
Astrid Riecken/Getty Images
20
A Museum for Us
Lonnie Bunch, founding director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, smiles after speaking at the opening.
These Pics From The National Museum of African American History and Culture Will Give You Serious FOMO
Olivier Douliery/Pool via Bloomberg
21
A Museum for Us
Angela Bassett and Robert DeNiro speak during the dedication of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
These Pics From The National Museum of African American History and Culture Will Give You Serious FOMO
Astrid Riecken/Getty Images
22
A Museum for Us
President Barack Obamaand first lady Michelle Obama greet George and Laura Bush.
These Pics From The National Museum of African American History and Culture Will Give You Serious FOMO
Astrid Riecken/Getty Images
23
A Museum for Us
Jesse Jackson attends the dedication of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
These Pics From The National Museum of African American History and Culture Will Give You Serious FOMO
Astrid Riecken/Getty Images
24
A Museum for Us
Gayle King arrives at the Museum of American History for the dedication ceremony of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
These Pics From The National Museum of African American History and Culture Will Give You Serious FOMO
Monica Morgan/WireImage
25
A Museum for Us
Andre Holland, Lupita Nyong’o, David Oyelowo, Ava Duvernay and Gugu Mbatha-Raw attends the opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
These Pics From The National Museum of African American History and Culture Will Give You Serious FOMO
Monica Morgan/WireImage
26
A Museum for Us
Eugene J. Richardson Jr. arrives at the American History Museum for the dedication ceremony of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
These Pics From The National Museum of African American History and Culture Will Give You Serious FOMO
Monica Morgan/WireImage
27
A Museum for Us
Samuel L. Jackson arrives at the Museum of American History for the dedication ceremony of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
These Pics From The National Museum of African American History and Culture Will Give You Serious FOMO
Monica Morgan/WireImage
28
A Museum for Us
Chris Tucker arrives at the Museum of American History for the dedication ceremony of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
These Pics From The National Museum of African American History and Culture Will Give You Serious FOMO
Monica Morgan/WireImage
29
A Museum for Us
Oprah Winfrey arrives at the Museum of American History for the dedication ceremony of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
These Pics From The National Museum of African American History and Culture Will Give You Serious FOMO
Monica Morgan/WireImage
30
A Museum for Us
Janice Haywood, and daughter Landyn, natives of Chicago, look on with pride at the opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
These Pics From The National Museum of African American History and Culture Will Give You Serious FOMO
Leigh Vogel/WireImage
31
A Museum for Us
People stand by the Washington Monument during the opening ceremony of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
These Pics From The National Museum of African American History and Culture Will Give You Serious FOMO
Leigh Vogel/WireImage
32
A Museum for Us
President Barack Obama speaks at the opening ceremony of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.
These Pics From The National Museum of African American History and Culture Will Give You Serious FOMO
Olivier Douliery/Pool via Bloomberg
33
A Museum for Us
Oprah Winfrey and Will Smith speak at the opening ceremony of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
These Pics From The National Museum of African American History and Culture Will Give You Serious FOMO
Olivier Douliery-Pool/Getty Images
34
A Museum for Us
Naledi, a visitor from Botswana, attends the opening ceremony of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture.
These Pics From The National Museum of African American History and Culture Will Give You Serious FOMO
Paul Morigi/Getty Images
35
A Museum for Us
Patti LaBelle performs “A Change is Gonna Come” during the opening ceremony of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
These Pics From The National Museum of African American History and Culture Will Give You Serious FOMO
Olivier Douliery-Pool/Getty Images
36
A Museum for Us
A woman raises a fist in the air as a bell is rung to mark the opening of the Smithsonian National Museum Of African American History & Culture.
These Pics From The National Museum of African American History and Culture Will Give You Serious FOMO
Paul Morigi/Getty Images
37
A Museum for Us
A woman smiles as a bell is rung to mark the opening of the Smithsonian National Museum Of African American History & Culture.
These Pics From The National Museum of African American History and Culture Will Give You Serious FOMO
Paul Morigi/Getty Images
38
A Museum for Us
Stevie Wonder performs “Visions” during the opening ceremony of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
These Pics From The National Museum of African American History and Culture Will Give You Serious FOMO
Olivier Douliery-Pool/Getty Images