Fact Finder - General Knowledge

The NMAAHC is a Smithsonian Institution museum located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Designed by David Adjaye, the building's distinctive three-tiered shape is known as the 'Corona.' The design is inspired by the Yoruban Caryatid, a traditional West African wooden column featuring a crown at the top. The entire exterior is wrapped in an ornamental bronze-colored aluminum lattice, which pays homage to the intricate ironwork crafted by enslaved African Americans in cities like Charleston and New Orleans. The patterns of the lattice are designed to control the amount of light and heat entering the building. Inside, the museum is divided into 'History,' 'Community,' and 'Culture' sections, with the history galleries located deep underground, requiring visitors to literally travel upward through time as they explore the exhibits.