The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) has gone digital with a new project that allows visitors to virtually experience its exhibitions.
The Searchable Museum was launched on November 18, as part of the NMAAHC’s efforts to engage people from around the world with online exhibitions and digital events while it celebrates its fifth anniversary.
The digital initiative that took more than a year to complete includes a multimedia presentation of the museum’s historical narratives, collections and educational resources.
It was brought to life through the sponsorship of Bloomberg Philanthropies.
“By marshalling the latest technology and harnessing the scholarly and educational experience of the museum’s teams, the Searchable Museum tells the complex story of our nation’s history in ways only the National Museum of African American History and Culture can,” Kevin Young, the Andrew W. Mellon Director of the museum, said in a release. “This ongoing project provides a chance for Americans to realize our shared past, bringing the unique museum experience to their homes and on their phones.”
Today we’re launching our newest digital initiative, The Searchable Museum! The initiative is one of the museum’s largest digital undertakings, bringing our immersive in-person experience into your home beginning with our "Slavery and Freedom” exhibition: https://t.co/wYLp2H9oHI pic.twitter.com/U0gNlDRVSz
— Smithsonian NMAAHC (@NMAAHC) November 18, 2021
The “Slavery and Freedom,” which is on display in the museum’s David M. Rubenstein History Galleries, becomes the first digital exhibition that is shared with online visitors in a re-imagined version.
Recreations of significant moments and objects from the exhibition feature the History Elevator that takes visitors to 1400s through pictures from different centuries, Slave Ships of the Transatlantic Slave Trade which includes first-person accounts of the transatlantic slave trade, and more.