Anacostia Community Museum

Anacostia Community Museum Review

The Smithsonian's only neighborhood museum is located in Anacostia, a historically black neighborhood in Southeast Washington, far off the tourist track. The museum is devoted to the rich experience of contemporary African-American culture in the nation and the capital, which has long had a majority black population. Exhibits focus on urban African-American community issues, with historic displays, fine art, crafts, and photography. The museum's facade uses traditional African design elements: brickwork patterns evoke West African kente cloth, and the concrete cylinders reference the stone towers of Zimbabwe and are ornamented with diamond patterns like those found on the adobe houses of Mali. A free weekend shuttle operates in summer from the National Mall.