Begin with the past : building the National Museum of African American History & Culture / Mabel O. Wilson ; foreword by Lonnie G. Bunch III.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Wilson, Mabel (Mabel O.), author.

Contributor:

Bunch, Lonnie G., III, writer of introduction.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

National Museum of African American History and Culture (U.S.).

Freelon Adjaye Bond/SmithGroup.

Museum architecture--Washington (D.C.).

Museum architecture.

Washington (D.C.)--Buildings, structures, etc.

Washington (D.C.).

National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Buildings.

Local Subjects:

National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Physical Description:

142 pages : illustrations (chiefly color), plans ; 27 cm

Other Title:

Building the National Museum of African American History & Culture

Place of Publication:

Washington, DC : Smithsonian Books, [2016]

Summary:

"The Building of the National Museum of African American History and Culture traces the making of this unparalleled museum. Founding director Lonnie G. Bunch III described it as "ten years in the making, and 100 years in the making," and Mabel O. Wilson explores that effort in her narrative. As she discovers, initial calls for a permanent place to collect, study, and present African American history and culture in the early twentieth century never got off the ground. In the late 1990s, the notion began to gain momentum from increasing public interest and Congressional support. In 2003 the museum was officially established. Yet the work of the museum was only just beginning. Wilson takes an in-depth look at the selection of the director, site, and architects in the years that followed. Rising on the National Mall next to the Washington Monument, the museum is a tiered bronze beacon inviting us to understand our past and embrace our future. Wilson explores how the "four pillars" of the museum's mission shaped its powerful structure, and she teases out the rich cultural symbols and homages layered into the design of the building and its surrounding landscape. This book is an important inside look at the making of a monument"-- Provided by publisher.

"The story of the vision behind and building of the National Museum of African American History and Culture"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Introduction

Part 1. An African American museum for all. In search of a memorial ; Collecting Black history & culture ; A Black museum movement spreads across the land ; Drawing up the plans ; The vision for a new national museum ; Architecture tells stories ; Breaking new ground

Part 2. Memory of place. Crafting memory & meaning ; A shining example ; Landscapes of memory ; A welcoming porch ; Black & green ; Inside the African American story ; Celebrating community & culture

Conclusion.

Notes:

Includes index.

Local Notes:

The Pennsylvania Abolition Society Complementary Collection.

ISBN:

9781588345691

1588345696

OCLC:

933420555

Publisher Number:

12758009

Online:

Museum website

Smithsonian website

Author's website

Architect website

Architect website

Architect website

Architect website