Celebrating America 250 with the National Museum of American History

What’s Happening in July 2026

NEW ACTIVITY

Gunboat Philadelphia VR: “Gunboat Philadelphia: Save the Revolution!"
Daily, 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. 
Third Floor, East
Visitors will step back to 1776 with this Virtual Reality activity to experience “Gunboat Philadelphia: Save the Revolution!” and discover how thousands of patriots worked together to thwart a British invasion. Tickets are $10 or $8 for same-day repeat visits.
 
PROGRAMS 

Daily Programs: 
The museum offers a rotating roster of daily programs, including Spotlight tours, performances, music, interactive demonstrations, and a chance to engage with experts and historic characters throughout the museum. For details, visit the online calendar to see daily schedules or check in at the Information Desks on the First and Second Floors.

Civic Season 2026: 
June 19 - July 4; Noon - 4 p.m.
Throughout the Museum
Each year, the museum joins hundreds of museums, cultural and civic organizations across the country to commemorate Civic Season, Juneteenth (June 19) to July 4. In a collaboration with Made By Us—a national non-profit coalition working with the next generation to shape the future through history—the museum will offer space for reflection and informal conversation with curators and community leaders. This year, as the nation is celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the museum will host daily drop-in programs connected to the “In Pursuit of Life, Liberty & Happiness” exhibition. 

Objects out of Storage
"In Pursuit of Life, Liberty & Happiness"
Tuesday, July 7; 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Third Floor, East 
Visitors will be able to see a number of Revolutionary War related objects out of storage, presented by curator Kenneth Cohen.

Cooking Up History Presents
“From the Bronx to the Caribbean: The Power of Baking with Paola Velez”
Friday, July 10; Noon – 1 p.m.
Wallace H. Coulter Plaza; First Floor, West
Afro-Dominican chef, author and community leader Paola Velez will offer a live cooking demonstration full of creative flavor twists. Born in the Bronx, and now based in Washington DC, Velez uses baking to explore family, diaspora, community, love, sacrifice and change, all guided by her motto to “bake the world a better place”. Blending Dominican traditions, Bronx influences and global influences in recipes that honor roots and history while creating unexpected and personal flavors. Museum Curator Steve Velasquez will join Velez on stage as she prepares a dessert. Velez is the author of Bodega Bakes, the founder of global baking movement Bakers Against Racism, and the chef-owner of  the Washington, D.C. bar, Providencia. Velez will host a book signing immediately following the demonstration, and her book will be available for purchase.

Melinda French Gates Receives “Great Americans” Medal
Wednesday, July 15; 6:30 p.m.
Warner Bros. Theatre; First Floor, Center
Melinda French Gates will be recognized with the “Great Americans” medal, the National Museum of American History’s signature honor, for her extraordinary contributions to the nation as a philanthropic leader committed to advancing equality, expanding opportunity, and improving global health for women and young people around the world. The museum’s Elizabeth MacMillan Director Anthea M. Hartig, will be joined by Smithsonian Institution Regent Emeritus David M. Rubenstein in this presentation to Melinda French Gates for her life’s work embodying American ideas and ideals. A conversation between the honoree and Rubenstein will close the program. The event is free and open to the public, very limited in-person tickets available. Members of the public may also join the web stream. For more information, visit the website.

Story Time with D.C. Public Library
Wednesday, July 29; 10:45 a.m.
Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza; First Floor, West 
The museum hosts a monthly “Story Time” in collaboration with the DC Public Library. Children, and their grown-ups, enjoy a story to explore language and literacy skills. “Story Time” is designed for learners ages 5 and under, but all are welcome. For more details, visit the website.

FILM

History Film Forum presents: 
“Glory” (1989)
Saturday, July 18; 7 p.m.
Warner Bros. Theater; First Floor, Center
The History Film Forum presents the 1989 Academy Award-winning film motion picture Glory. Following the Battle of Antietam, Col. Robert Gould Shaw (Matthew Broderick) is offered command of the United States' first all-African-American regiment, the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. With junior officer Cabot Forbes (Cary Elwes), Shaw puts together a strong and proud unit, including the escaped slave Trip (Denzel Washington) and the gravedigger John Rawlins (Morgan Freeman). At first limited to menial manual tasks, the regiment fights to be placed in the heat of battle, culminating in the Second Battle of Fort Wagner, fought on July 18, 1863. For free tickets and more information, visit Eventbrite.com.
 
MUSIC

Music From the Hearts of America presents: 
“U.S. Army Strolling Strings” 
Thursday, July 9; Noon & 1:30 p.m.
Flag Hall; Second Floor; Second Floor Center 
 
The U.S. Army Strolling Strings is one of the most requested musical ensembles and since its inception during the Eisenhower administration, the ensemble has provided musical entertainment at the White House for every president. The Strolling Strings offers audiences a unique perspective as soldiers elegantly move through the venue playing their instruments and offer a varied repertoire of patriotic, classical, international, jazz, Broadway, bluegrass musical selections.

Music From the Hearts of America presents: 
“U.S. Army Strings Jazz Trio” 
Thursday, July 16; Noon & 1:30 p.m.
Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza; First Floor, West
The U.S. Army Strings Jazz Trio is a unique combination of violin, guitar and double bass. Formed in 2023, the trio has been wowing audiences with its versatility and infectious musical energy. Its instrumentation creates a distinctive sound that allows listeners to experience jazz in a fresh way as the trio presents a mix of jazz standards and American Songbook favorites.

Naptown Jazz Kids Performance 
Friday, July 17; 1 p.m. 
Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza; First Floor, West 
Student jazz musicians with Naptown Jazz Kids, an arts education performance nonprofit in the greater Annapolis area, will take the museum stage to showcase their dynamic energy, creativity and passion as they perform jazz standards.

Music From the Hearts of America presents: 
“Origem featuring the Lucini Brothers” 
Saturday, July 18; Noon & 2 p.m.
Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, First Floor, West 
Origem, a Brazilian-Jazz ensemble led by the Lucini Brothers, will present a dynamic exploration of the lasting influence of Brazilian music, especially Samba, Bossa Nova, and Baião, on jazz and how these Brazilian traditions have shaped and been woven into the fabric of this genre. 

Jazz Afternoon:

Objects out of Storage & pop-up Jam Session
Thursday, July 23; 1 p.m.
Nicholas F. and Eugenia Taubman Hall of Music; Third Floor, West
The National Museum of American History is home to jazz collections that include 100,000 pages of Duke Ellington’s unpublished music and such objects as Ella Fitzgerald’s dresses, Dizzy Gillespie’s angled trumpet, John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme manuscript and Benny Goodman’s clarinet. Visitors will be able to see a small number of jazz treasures while musicians from the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra will host pop-up jam and chat sessions.

Music From the Hearts of America presents: 
“The Image Band”
Saturday, July 25; Noon & 2 p.m. 
Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza; First Floor, West 
Image Band specializes in Caribbean musical forms, to share their cultural heritage with diverse audiences and promote unity and celebration through music. This performance will take the audience on a musical journey through the Caribbean, featuring energetic rhythms, soulful melodies and uplifting lyrics, featuring original songs “Our Culture,” and “Sweet Caribeana.”
 
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. This summer, Executive Chef Mollie Kauffmann and her team are showcasing the flavors of the Chesapeake with a seasonal market menu featuring Fried Maryland Catfish Tacos topped with Old Bay aioli and crisp chive-citrus slaw and Maryland-style Shrimp & Grits, along with Succotash, Candied Sweet Potatoes and a refreshing Heirloom Tomato & Cucumber Salad as optional sides.

The museum is also commemorating the Nation’s 250th Anniversary in both cafes with special menus, including themed hot dogs and sandwiches. The Leroy Neiman Jazz Cafe will continue to offer Starbucks Coffee hot and cold beverages, seasonal cafe favorites, and a selection of desserts. For more information, visit the website.

Bottled water is allowed in the museum. Refillable water bottles for fountains are recommended.
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.