The National Museum opened it past september on the National Mall. A few days earl American History tv spoke with key members of the design team, responsible for the look and feel of the newest museum. Well hear what inspired the distinctive shape and about the ideas behind the history galleries. In about 20 minutes, well show the opening ceremony, including talks about president obama and george w. Bush, and performances be denise graves and stevie wonder. Hi, im the lead designer of the National Meal seem of africanAmerican Museum of culture. We well see when you come to the building. What feeling did you have this feeling would quan . I hope it would give a sense of uplift, but also being connected to this very unique location on the washington mall, on the nations capital, one which should give you a sense of intrigue, one to explore the extraordinary exhibits that are on show here, one that would give you a fantastic overview. At the top of this building you have this fantastic pa
AfricanAmerican Museum. I was one of the arcing tekts. What feeling did you hope this museum would cain . I hope it would give a sense of uplift and being connected to this very unique location on the washington mat on the Nations Capital but one which would also give you a sense of intrigue, to explore the extraordinary exhibits here. You have this fantastic window on washington to see right through you have an International Background. Can you tell us a little bit about that and how that informed your work on this very American Museum . I was born on the heart of the continent. As a teenager i grew up in london and started my practice about 20 years ago. My practice has always had an international outlook. We worked all over the years. The Nobel Peace Center in oslo is one of our proejsz, almost local community projects. Schools and educational environments. Even competition libraries, ex, housing in new york. But when we were asked to join this competition, it was an extraordinary m
Considered important, the single thing we chose to commemorate as theory with a plaque were memorable speeches of two powerful men. And that block, i think, explains why this museum is so necessary. Because that same object , tellsd, put in context us so much more. As americans, we rightfully pass on the tails of the giant who whot this the giants built this country, who led armies into battle, who waged seminole debates in the halls of congress and the corridors of of power. Orridors but too often we have ignored or forgot the stories of millions upon millions of others. Who built this nation just as surely. Whose calloused hands, whose steady drive helped build cities, erect industries, build the arsenals of democracy. Museum this national helps to tell a richer and fuller story of who we are. It helps us better understand , yes, of the president , but also the slaves. The industrialists, but also the porter. Quo,eeper of the status those seeking to overthrow that status quo. Cookeac
On how folks, other than the pundits on cable tv, our thinking. [laughter] and i know it is a Representative Group because sometimes people say, mr. President , we love you and we especially love michelle. [laughter] and you are doing such a great job, and thank you. And then there are others who write and say, mr. President , you are an idiot, and you really this country. So i know i am getting a real sampling of American Public opinion. Last night as i was reading through my letters, i say about half of them, said, mr. President , why are you always against police . Doing enought you to deal with these rioters and the violence . Said, mrs. Er half with a black folks saying, mr. President , why you do something about the police . [laughter] and when are we going to get justice . That understand the nature argument the nature of that argument because this is a dialogue we have been having for 400 years. The fact of the matter is, is that one of the challenges we have in generating a ab
Other. And recognize the common humanity that makes america what it is. [applause] that is a lot of weight to put on one institution. But michelle and i have taken michelles mom and our daughters to see it, we feel confident that it will not just meet expectations, but far exceed them. It would not have happened without all of you. You should be very proud. Congratulations. God bless you. [applause] [cheers] [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. Visit ncicap. Org] [captions Copyright National cable satellite corp. 2016] now, a press preview of the Smithsonian National museum of African American history and culture. We will hear remarks by founder, lonnie bunch of the smithsonian. This is about 25 minutes. [applause] good morning and welcome. What a crowd. We are delighted to have you here and i have good reason to believe that when you spend some time here, you will say that you have been delighted to be i