Skip to main content

Norton Celebrates D.C.’s Roots and Her Own in African American History as National Museum of African American History and Culture Opens

September 23, 2016

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), the great granddaughter of a fugitive slave, who walked off a Virginia plantation and established a home in the District of Columbia, will celebrate the opening of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture with events throughout this weekend. In celebrating the museum, she will also be remembering her strong personal roots and the roots of her hometown in African American history. Norton’s great grandfather Richard Holmes fled Virginia and found work on the streets when Washington was being built. He was almost caught by his slave owner, but was saved when he did not answer to his name when it was called out by the man who had held him in bondage. Norton’s grandfather, also named Richard, was one of the first African Americans to serve in the D.C. fire department.

“The District of Columbia is full of residents like me whose own family roots make the opening of the museum special, and whose roots in D.C. make them proud that our city has been an epicenter of African American life for more than 200 years,” Norton said. “As D.C.’s Congresswoman, I also am mindful that our local economy will uniquely benefit as millions of visitors now have another major reason to visit our city.”

The original bill to create the museum was introduced before Norton was a Member of Congress, but she became a prime cosponsor of the bill to establish the museum soon after she was elected. In 2003, the National Museum of African American History and Culture Act authorized the creation of the museum.

Norton will attend a number of events this weekend to commemorate the grand opening of the museum, which officially opens tomorrow, September 24, 2016. Today, she will attend a special reception at the White House with President Obama and other dignitaries. Tonight, she will join D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and D.C. residents at a reception at the John A. Wilson Building. Tomorrow morning, she will attend the official dedication ceremony that will open the museum to the public. Tomorrow evening, she will attend a black-tie gala to dedicate the museum at the Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building.