Future National Asian Pacific American Museum passes first major test

2022-05-02T18:21:00-04:00

A national museum of Asian Pacific American history and culture is one major step closer to reality after the US House of Representatives unanimously approved on 26 April a bill to create an eight-person commission to study the feasibility of establishing such an institution in Washington, DC. The bill now heads to the Senate.

The bill was sponsored by Congresswoman Grace Meng, who represents the sixth congressional district of New York, and was passed by the House just days ahead of the beginning of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

“Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have been pivotal in contributing to the growth and prosperity of our nation since its founding,” Meng said. “We have helped make the United States the greatest country in the world, but unfortunately many remain unaware of the crucial role we’ve played throughout our history. It’s time for that to change and creating a national museum would ensure there is a physical space to commemorate and share our story with future generations.”

If plans for the proposed museum work out as envisioned, it would join the planned American Women’s History Museum and the recently approved National Museum of the American Latino.

The National Museum of African American History and Culture opened in 2016 as one of the latest additions to ...

National museum dedicated to women's history takes a step forward

2020-02-20T18:45:00-05:00

The United States House of Representatives has passed a bill establishing a council that will lead the planning, design, and construction of a new museum slated for Washington, D.C. dedicated to women's history.

The bill—H.R. 1980, Smithsonian Women's History Museum Act—passed the house chamber by a 374-37 bipartisan vote. The bill now heads to the United States Senate for final approval.

The Act creates a 25-person advisory council made up of scholars, congressmembers, and museum board members that will report to the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Museum with recommendations on how to proceed with the creation of the new facility, which will funded half by the federal government and half by other sources. In part, CNN reports, this board will be tasked with designating a site for the future museum, with sites on or near the National Mall given the highest priority.

A joint statement from the bill's sponsors reads, "By creating a Smithsonian museum dedicated to telling Ameri...

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Future National Asian Pacific American Museum passes first major test

National museum dedicated to women's history takes a step forward