Browse Museums

African American Civil War Museum
Washington, District of Columbia

Culture, General, History, Library, Military, Specialized

Slavery to Freedom: Civil War to Civil Rights The Museum's permanent exhibition portrays the extraordinary African American struggle for freedom in the United States.

B'nai B'rith Klutznick Museum
Washington, District of Columbia

Specialized

Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens
Washington, District of Columbia

Culture, Historic House, Specialized

=Founded by American heiress to the Post cereal empire Marjorie Merriweather Post, Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens is one of the premier art collector's museums in the United States. The museum features the most comprehensive collection of Russian imperial art outside of Russia and a world-renowned collection of 18th-century French decorative art and furnishings. The collection includes Fabergé eggs, Russian porcelain, Russian Orthodox icons, Beauvais tapestries, and Sèvres porcelain. The 25 acre estate provides visitors a tranquil oasis of formal gardens.

International Spy Museum
Washington, District of Columbia

Specialized

National Air And Space Museum
Washington, District of Columbia

Children's, Culture, History, Library, Military, Planetarium, Science, Specialized

The Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum maintains the largest collection of historic air and spacecraft in the world. It is also a vital center for research into the history, science, and technology of aviation and space flight, as well as planetary science and terrestrial geology and geophysics.

National Building Museum
Washington, District of Columbia

Art, Culture, Specialized

As America's premier cultural institution dedicated to exploring and celebrating architecture, design, engineering, construction, and urban planning, the National Building Museum offers insight into the history and future of the world we build ourselves. Exhibition subjects range from the poetic use of concrete to visions for affordable housing, as well as exploring possibilities of rebuilding New Orleans, and contemporary ideas for building sustainable residences.

National Museum of Crime & Punishment
Washington, District of Columbia

Culture, History, Science, Specialized

Where else can you explore the history of crime and punishment, experience driving and shooting simulators, and learn the real CSI procedures? At the National Museum of Crime & Punishment you explore all this and more.

National Portrait Gallery
Washington, District of Columbia

Specialized

The National Portrait Gallery will open to the public beginning Friday, May 14th, with timed-entry passes required for all visitors. On-site tours and events are currently suspended and all public programs will be online.

Navy Museum
Washington, District of Columbia

Specialized

Textile Museum
Washington, District of Columbia

Art, Culture, General, History, Library, Specialized, University

The Textile Museum is joining with the George Washington University to become a cornerstone of a new museum scheduled to open in fall 2014 on GW’s main campus in Foggy Bottom. The affiliation positions The Textile Museum to educate the next generation of textile enthusiasts and expand on its rich tradition of art, education, scholarship, and fostering cultural understanding.

AMA | Art Museum of the Americas
Washington, District of Columbia

Art, Culture, General, History, Library, Specialized

The history of the permanent collection of the Art Museum of the Americas has roots in the former Visual Arts Unit of the Organization of American States. Under this unit, the first donation of art was received in 1949, a gift of painting by Brazilian artist Candido Portinari. In 1957 the OAS Permanent Council conferred institutional backing to the collection by establishing a modest Purchase Fund to support the acquisition of art for a collection that was to reflect the contemporary art of the member nations of the OAS to form an enduring cultural resource.

Heritage Preservation
Washington, District of Columbia

Children's, History, Historic House, Historical Society, Library, Specialized

Heritage Preservation is a national non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the cultural heritage of the United States. By identifying risks, developing innovative programs, and providing broad public access to expert advice, Heritage Preservation assists museums, libraries, archives, historic preservation and other organizations, as well as individuals, in caring for our endangered heritage.

Institute of Museum & Library Services (IMLS)
Washington, District of Columbia

Library, Specialized

Champion Lifelong Learning: Museums, libraries, and archives are unparalleled sources of educational, information, health, job, and cultural resources. IMLS supports these institutions’ work to open themselves up to all community members and visitors, bridging the gaps of distance, resources, or experience.

Madame Tussauds Washington D.C.
Washington, District of Columbia

Art, Culture, History, Specialized

Madame Tussauds is a wax museum in Washington, D.C. with branches in a number of major cities. It was founded by wax sculptor Marie Tussaud. Madame Tussauds is a major tourist attraction, displaying waxworks of historical and political figures, film stars, sports stars and more.

National Archives Foundation
washington, District of Columbia

Culture, General, History, Library, Specialized

The National Archives Foundation is an independent nonprofit that increases public awareness of the National Archives, inspires a deeper appreciation of our country’s heritage, and encourages citizen engagement in our democracy.

National Museum of African American History and Culture
Washington, District of Columbia

Anthropology, Art, Children's, Culture, History, Library, Military, Park, Science, Specialized

The National Museum of African American History and Culture will reopen on May 14. For more information regarding hours, timed entry and safety protocols, visit the museum's website.

National Museum of the United States Navy
Washington, District of Columbia

General, History, Historic House, Library, Military, Science, Specialized

The National Museum of the US Navy hosts a wide variety of changing exhibits. Browse the online exhibits on the museum website to sample the experience before you visit!

National Postal Museum
Washington, District of Columbia

Specialized

Sultan Qaboos Cultural Center
Washington, District of Columbia

Culture, History, Library, Specialized

The Sultan Qaboos Cultural Center (SQCC) is open to the public M-F 10:00 - 4:00. Browse SQCC's exhibition space to learn more about the beauty and culture of the Sultanate of Oman. Check our website for information on special exhibitions, lectures, cultural events, and more! Visit our library, or borrow remotely through your library's ILL system.

The Laogai Research Foundation & Laogai Museum
Washington, District of Columbia

Culture, History, Specialized

The Laogai Museum exposes the Laogai— China’s extensive system of forced-labor prison camps. These abusive prisons have been used since the Communist Party took power in 1949 to control the masses, and continue to exist today. Its prisoners, including those charged with political crimes, are forced to live and work in terrible conditions. The products they produce are sold for profit by the Chinese government.

MUSEUM CONFERENCES

Georgia Association of Museums 2025 Conference

February 5 - 7, 2025

Milledgeville, Georgia

Small Museum Association 41st Annual Conference 2025

February 17 - 19, 2025

Gaithersburg, Maryland

2025 California Association of Museums Conference

February 18 - 22, 2025

San Fransico, California

Virginia Association of Museum's 2025 Annual Conference!

March 15 - 18, 2025

Blacksburg, Virginia

2025 Am Assoc for State and Local History Annual Conference

September 10 - 13, 2025

Cincinnati, Ohio

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Washington, District of Columbia

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