Description

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Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture is truly groundbreaking! 

The first national museum whose mission is to illuminate for all people, the rich, diverse, complicated, and important experiences and contributions of African Americans in America is opening.
And the history of NMAAHC--the last museum to be built on the National Mall--is the history of America.

The campaign to set up a museum honoring black citizens is nearly 100 years old; building the museum itelf and assembling its incredibly far-reaching collections is a modern story that involves all kinds of people, from educators and activists, to politicians, architects, curators, construction workers, and ordinary Americans who donated cherished belongings to be included in NMAAHC's thematically-organized exhibits. 

Award-winning author Tonya Bolden has written a fascinating chronicle of how all of these ideas, ambitions, and actual objects came together in one incredible museum. Includes behind-the-scenes photos of literally "how to build a museum" that holds everything from an entire segregated railroad car to a tiny West African amulet worn to ward off slave traders.

About the Author

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Acclaimed author Tonya Bolden has written more than 15 books for young people, including Maritcha: A Nineteenth Century Girl; Searching for Sarah Rector, the Richest Black Girl in America; Emancipation Proclamation: Lincoln and the Dawn of Liberty; and M. L. K., The Journey of a King, among others. Her work has been recognized with the Coretta Scott King Honor; the James Madison Award; the Carter G. Woodson Award; and NCTE Orbis Pictus Honors, among others. Her titles are also frequently on YALSA, ALA, and CCBC "best" lists. She received the 2016  Nonfiction Award from the Children's Book Guild of Washington D.C. She lives in New York City.

Praise For…

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Praise for How to Build a Museum:

★ "An important, profusely illustrated account of the history, building, and collections of a national treasure." —School Library Journal, starred review

"Read How to Build a Museum if a trip to DC is on your bucket list for it will help guide your experience. And if visiting Washington is not on your horizon, read it to know what you’re missing." —The Huffington Post

"An inspiring tale as well as a tantalizing invitation to visit one of our country's newest 'must see' attractions." —Kirkus Reviews

"Beautifully designed, the book’s intriguing color photos shine from the bright pages . . . A well-organized and informative book introducing this significant new historical center." —Booklist

-  A Chicago Public Library Best Book of the Year, 2016