Anacostia Museum

The Anacostia Museum aims to challenge visitor's perceptions, broaden their perspectives and generate knowledge of the community. The museum is a leader in providing programs, exhibitions, tours and performances to visitors of all ages.

The major goal of the museum is to provide visitors with evidence that no matter how distinctively different we are, there are many things in the community that make us universally the same. The museum created a first-of-a-kind public education program that teaches the fundamental of collecting and preserving items to special interest groups.

At all times there are 19 professional staff employed at the museum, along with 25 volunteers and 5 interns. These staff members assist visitors with providing information on each exhibition and run the many programs that are held at the museum.

A permanent collection of works is located in the museum and is comprised of artifacts, media, photographs and art objects which document families and communities around the world. The public programs held at the museum aim to broaden the understanding of family and community history, these programs include lectures, hands-on activities and performances for all ages. Interpretive materials are also available; these include activity kids and subject-specific curricula.

The Anacostia Museum is part of the Smithsonian and is the only museum that provides an educational component to groups of children throughout the year and summer months as part of their multi-tiered educational program. Programs run include after-school programs and summer academies. The museum is constantly recognized for their contributions to the DC region and by reaching many goals set by the Smithsonian.