Anacostia Community Museum Hosts “A Night at the Museum”

The Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum is hosting “A Night at the Museum” to mark its 57th anniversary Thursday, Sept. 19, from 7–9 p.m. The museum will welcome visitors 21 years and older for the ’90s-themed event. There will be live music, performances by local breakdancers and after-hours access to the galleries.

Since opening in 1967, the Anacostia Community Museum has preserved, amplified and shared community stories from the greater Washington, D.C., region. “A Night at the Museum” honors this legacy with a throwback to the ’90s. DJ Farrah Flosscett will play hits from the decade with performances from a local breakdancing crew. Bar service will be offered by Sugar Rim for purchase with an ID, and free small bites will be available first come, first serve, including from Penny Candy, a vintage candy store. The event is indoor-outdoor, and registration is highly encouraged.

In addition to the after-hour programming, visitors can walk through “A Bold and Beautiful Vision: A Century of Black Arts Education in Washington, DC, 1900–2000.” The exhibition chronicles the rich history of arts education in the nation’s capital and celebrates the artist-educators that were pioneers and products of school programs that overcame segregation, underfunding and lack of recognition. “A Bold and Beautiful Vision” presents the stories of Alma Thomas, James A. Porter, Elizabeth Catlett, Sam Gilliam and more through original artworks, oral history recordings and rare artifacts.

About the Museum

Founded in 1967, the Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum shares the untold and often overlooked stories of communities furthest from justice in the greater Washington, D.C., region. In celebrating stories of resiliency, joy and strength, the museum inspires those who visit to translate their ideas into action. For more information about the museum, visit anacostia.si.edu or follow the museum on X, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

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SI-278-2024