iNational Museum of American History
Opened in 1964 as the Museum of History and Technology, in one of the last buildings designed by McKim, Mead & White, this Smithsonian museum holds more than 1.7 million objects tracing the American experience. Its centrepiece is the original Star-Spangled Banner — the 30-by-34-foot garrison flag that inspired Francis Scott Key — shown in a dimmed, climate-controlled chamber off the five-storey skylit atrium. Elsewhere you'll find the first ladies' inaugural gowns, the Greensboro lunch counter, the 1831 John Bull locomotive and pop-culture treasures in Entertainment Nation. Admission is free and no tickets are required.
More in Washington, DC
What's On
How Can You Forget Me: Filipino American Stories
The overlooked history of a trailblazing Filipino community in California, from the 1910s to the 1970s.
¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa
From the streets of Havana to the dance floors of New York and beyond, this bilingual show traces how salsa grew into a defining sound of the United States.
In Pursuit of Life, Liberty, and Happiness
The museum's semiquincentennial blockbuster: 250 objects across all three floors, from Jefferson's writing desk to the 1776 gunboat Philadelphia. Closes at the end of 2026 (exact date not yet announced).
Permanent Collections
Gunboat Philadelphia
Watch conservators at work on the USS Philadelphia, part of the small American fleet that stalled invading British forces on Lake Champlain during the Revolution. No closing date announced.
Corazón y vida: Lowriding Culture
A vibrant bilingual exhibition on lowriding culture, told through photographs, posters and two classic Chevy Impalas. No closing date announced.
American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith
Citizen participation, debate and compromise from the nation's founding to today, in the Linda and Pete Claussen Hall of Democracy.
The Star-Spangled Banner
The museum's signature gallery: the 200-year-old, 30-by-34-foot garrison flag that inspired Francis Scott Key, shown in a dimmed climate-controlled chamber.
Entertainment Nation
How 150 years of entertainment became a forum for national arguments about who Americans are, told through music, film, sport and TV artefacts.
The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden
More than 900 objects from the Smithsonian's presidential collections, bringing to life the role of the presidency in American culture.
The First Ladies
Inaugural gowns and personal objects tracing how successive women shaped the unofficial but powerful role of first lady.
Plan Your Visit
Getting there
1300 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC 20560, United States
Nearest station: Federal Triangle (Blue, Orange, Silver) and Smithsonian (Blue, Orange, Silver)
Show on mapHours
| Mon | 10:00–17:30 |
| Tue | 10:00–17:30 |
| Wed | 10:00–17:30 |
| Thu | 10:00–17:30 |
| Fri | 10:00–17:30 |
| SatToday | 10:00–17:30 |
| Sun | 10:00–17:30 |
Admission
Free
Free admission, no tickets required
Last verified
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Visitor Information
- Is National Museum of American History free to visit?
- Yes, general admission to National Museum of American History is free. Free admission, no tickets required. Some special exhibitions may charge a separate ticket, so check the museum's website before visiting.
- What are the opening hours of National Museum of American History?
- National Museum of American History is open Open daily 10:00–17:30. Closed 25 December. Free entry, no tickets required. Wegmans Wonderplace (Wed–Sun 10:00–16:00) and Draper Spark!Lab (Wed–Sat 10:00–16:00) keep shorter hours.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.
- Where is National Museum of American History?
- National Museum of American History is located at 1300 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC 20560, United States, in the National Mall area of Washington, DC. The nearest stations are Federal Triangle (Blue, Orange, Silver) and Smithsonian (Blue, Orange, Silver).
- What can I see at National Museum of American History?
- Home of the actual Star-Spangled Banner — plus first ladies' gowns, Julia Child's kitchen and 1.7 million objects of the American story. Current highlights include Gunboat Philadelphia, Corazón y vida: Lowriding Culture and American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith.
- Do I need to book National Museum of American History in advance?
- National Museum of American History is free to enter and most days you can walk in. Free admission, no tickets required. For special exhibitions, weekends, and school holidays, booking a timed slot can help you skip queues. Check the museum's website for current requirements.
- When is the best time to visit National Museum of American History?
- Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, especially mid-week. Late afternoons can also be calmer. Weekends, school holidays, and the lunch rush are the busiest periods.
Image credits
15
- National Museum of American HistoryCarol M. Highsmith / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
- Gunboat PhiladelphiaCourtesy of National Museum of American History
- Corazón y vida: Lowriding CultureCourtesy of National Museum of American History
- American Democracy: A Great Leap of FaithCourtesy of National Museum of American History
- The Star-Spangled BannerCourtesy of National Museum of American History
- In Pursuit of Life, Liberty, and HappinessCourtesy of National Museum of American History
- How Can You Forget Me: Filipino American StoriesCourtesy of National Museum of American History
- ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of SalsaCourtesy of National Museum of American History
- Entertainment NationCourtesy of National Museum of American History
- The American Presidency: A Glorious BurdenCourtesy of National Museum of American History
- The First LadiesCourtesy of National Museum of American History
- National Museum of African American History and CultureFuzheado, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
- National Museum of Natural Historyajay_suresh via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
- National Museum of Asian ArtDifference engine, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
- United States Holocaust Memorial Museumajay_suresh via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0