While watching the news over the weekend, I was alarmed to hear that the Smithsonian Museums in Washington, D.C. are having structural and facility-related issues. According to the report that I heard, the Secretary in charge of the Smithsonian’s was requesting a huge budget upgrade so that the institution can do more than just catch-up or crisis intervention with roof leaks, climate issues, and much more. While using the Smithsonian website to check out more information about this situation (http://www.si.edu/about/gao/default.htm), I was reminded that in addition to the current museums, there will soon be a National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Marvelously, though the museum won’t open its’ physical doors for several more years, they have already established a web presence at http://nmaahc.si.edu/. This site leads you to online exhibitions, the Storycorps Griot, and an education section that I have already been able to use. Within the education section, there are lesson plans using the current exhibition “Let Your Motto Be Resistance” as well as a literature list that proved helpful when speaking with one of our Education professors who was planning a multi-cultural children’s literature class. If you haven’t had a chance to check out the National Museum of African American History and Culture online, make it a point to do so soon!