What’s Happening in May 2025 at the National Museum of American History

New on exhibit, music and more!

BLUE STAR MUSEUM

The National Museum of American History is now designated an official Blue Star Museum and welcomes active-duty military personnel and their families. Admission is free and visitors can explore stories that connect our nation’s history to those who serve, including in exhibitions such as “The Price of Freedom: Americans at War” and “The Star-Spangled Banner: The Flag that Inspired the National Anthem.” Blue Star Museums is a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and museums across America. This year, the annual program begins on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 17 and ends on Labor Day, Monday Sept. 1.

NEW DISPLAY FOR APRIL

“¡De última hora!: Latina Journalists Report Breaking News”
New Rotation, Opening April 23- Gallery closes Aug. 17
Nicholas F. and Eugenia Taubman Gallery, Second Floor, West

The story of award-winning Univision journalist Teresa Rodriguez will be added to the “¡De última hora!: Latinas Report Breaking News” exhibition. While in college, Rodriguez received recognition from the “Wall Street Journal” for her exceptional economics work, inspiring her to pursue journalism as a career. That WSJ award along with the suit jacket she wore while interviewing then First Lady Hillary Clinton in 1997 and several press identification cards will be on view. This bilingual exhibition showcases the work of Latinas on Spanish-language television, their eyewitness reporting of major stories and their commitment to the communities they report on and for.

NEW DISPLAY FOR MAY

Carl Nassib’s NFL Jersey
New Acquisitions Display, Entertainment Nation
Opening May 21
Third Floor, West

Carl Nassib’s National Football League Jersey worn during the Las Vegas Raiders season opener on Sept. 13, 2021, at Allegiant Stadium will go on view in the new acquisitions case connected to the “Entertainment Nation” exhibition. On that September date, Nassib became the first openly gay player in NFL history to play in a regular season game. After coming out as gay over social media during Pride Month 2021, Nassib’s No. 94 became the league’s top-selling jersey on apparel sites. His career began at Penn State University where in 2015, he received the Lombardi award (for best lineman/linebacker) and the Nagurski-Woodson award, given to the Big Ten’s Defensive Player of the Year. He first joined the Cleveland Browns, followed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, then the Raiders from 2019-2021 and ended his career with the Buccaneers in 2023. In his professional career Nassib had 25.5 sacks and 187 tackles.

MUSIC

“Music from the Hearts of America” Series:
U.S. Navy Commodores ensemble presents New Orleans Traditional Jazz
Thursday, May 1, Noon & 1 p.m.
Flag Hall, Second Floor Center

Jazz is America's music and the U.S. Navy Band Commodores, the Navy's premier jazz ensemble, have been performing the very best of big band jazz for the Navy and the nation for 50 years.

Music from the Hearts of America:
Charles Covington – Ragtime Piano
Saturday, May 17, Noon & 2 p.m.
Nicholas and Eugenia Taubman Hall of Music, Third Floor West

A native of Baltimore, pianist Charles Covington has performed in the U.S. and internationally and appeared frequently on TV and radio. He performed with vocalist Ethel Ennis for President Carter at the White House and toured with guitarist George Benson for three years. Covington appeared with Sammy Davis, Jr. Eartha Kitt, Redd Foxx, Clark Terry, Milt Jackson, Chuck Berry and others. For 20 years he taught at the Peabody Conservatory, then at Howard University.

CHAMBER MUSIC

Smithsonian Chamber Music Society Presents:                                                    SOLD OUT
The Axelrod String Quartet – Stradivarius and Amati Series
Sat. May 3, 2025, 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Sun. May 4, 2025, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Nicholas and Eugenia Taubman Hall of Music; Third Floor, West

The 48th season of the Smithsonian Chamber Music Society presents musical masterpieces from the late 16th century to the cusp of the 21st, played on some of the world’s most highly prized instruments. This concert features Quartet in D Minor, K421/417b by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart; Quartet in F Major, Op. 135 by Ludwig van Beethoven; and Maurice Ravel’s Quartet in F Major.

To purchase tickets:

Sat. May 3: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/axelrod-string-quartet-1P0850 
Sun. May 4: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/axelrod-string-quartet-1P0854 
Members: $32; Non-members $36

VISITING

What to know:
The museum is open seven days a week, except Dec. 25, between 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Admission is free, and passes are not required. For more information, go to https://americanhistory.si.edu/visit

Food:

The Eat at America’s Table Cafe is open for complete food and beverage service. In May, the new executive chef Mollie Kaufman for the Museum, presents a menu of roasted chicken and roasted local rockfish as mains, with sides of baby carrots, spring peas and fava beans; along with radish and white bean and shaved fennel salads; and strawberry rhubarb crisp to top it all off. The Leroy Neiman Jazz Cafe offers light lunch, including Chicken Etouffee, Shrimp Creole and Dirty Rice, Cajun Grilled Cheese Sandwich & Creole Tomato Soup, and desserts, as well as hot and cold beverages, including Starbucks coffee. For more information, visit the website.

Bottled water is allowed in the museum. We recommend bringing a refillable water bottle for fountains.

Stores: Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

ABOUT THE MUSEUM

Through incomparable collections, rigorous research and dynamic public outreach, the National Museum of American History seeks to empower people to create a more just and compassionate future by examining, preserving and sharing the complexity of our past. The museum, located on Constitution Avenue N.W., between 12th and 14th streets, is open daily except Dec. 25 and in 2025, Jan. 20, between 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Admission is free. The doors of the museum are always open online and the virtual museum continues to expand its offerings, including online exhibitions, K–12 educational materials and programs. The public can follow the museum on social media via Instagram and Facebook. For more information, go to https://americanhistory.si.edu. For Smithsonian information, the public may call (202) 633-1000.

Amy Kehs | Read More

Amy Kehs is a brand strategist and communications expert for museums.