African American History museum celebrates at NPC Headliners Luncheon, Sept. 21

Lonnie G. Bunch III, director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, plans to speak at a National Press Club Headliners Luncheon on Sept. 21 as the museum marks its first anniversary.

Lunch will be served at 12:30 p.m., with remarks beginning at 1 p.m., followed by a question-and-answer session ending at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $25 for Club members (members may purchase two tickets at this rate) and $39 for all other non-member tickets. Click here for tickets. For questions, please email [email protected] or call (202) 662–7501. Tickets must be paid for at the time of purchase.

Under Bunch’s leadership, the African American History and Culture museum opened seven exhibitions in its gallery located in the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. Bunch also established the program “Save Our African-American Treasures” featuring daylong workshops where participants work with conservation specialists and historians to identify and preserve items of historical value.

The museum is the only national institution devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, history, and culture. Established by Congress in 2003, the museum has collected more than 36,000 artifacts and nearly 100,000 individuals have become charter members. The museum opened to the public on Sept. 24, 2016, as the 19th museum of the Smithsonian Institution.

Club members who wish to attend the pre-luncheon reception must RSVP separately to [email protected] at least 48 hours before the event. Space may be limited, and members must have a paid reservation to the Luncheon to attend the VIP reception.

To submit a question in advance, put MUSEUM in the subject line and email to [email protected] before 10 a.m. on the day of the luncheon.