Smithsonian's National Museum of American History

Thank you so much for your interest in the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History! We are a museum event space located on the National Mall in the heart of Washington, D.C.. The museum is in close proximity to multiple area hotels, local landmarks and attractions, and within walking distance to our fellow Smithsonian Museums as well as many of the District's National Monuments. The National Museum of American History is equidistant to Smithsonian and Federal Triangle Metro Stations servicing the Orange, Blue, and Silver line.The museum is approximately 3 miles from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), and 33 miles from Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), and has extremely easy access to all local interstates and highways. For your big day, you and your guests have an opportunity unavailable anywhere else; to host an event adjacent to highly acclaimed exhibitions which tell the extraordinary stories of the American people. With multiple different exhibitions throughout the museum, we have something for every single one of your guests! Some of our most popular exhibitions include the Star-Spangled Banner; The American Presidency, First Ladies, The Price of Freedom, America On the Move, American Enterprise, and feature objects ranging from Thomas Jefferson's lap desk, Kermit the Frog, George Washington's uniform, and Dorothy's ruby slippers from the Wizard of Oz. Please visit the link to learn more about the exhibitions we currently have on view, https://americanhistory.si.edu/exhibitions/onview. We are able to offer 8 different event spaces throughout the museum, and with exclusive use you are able to utilize as little or as much of the museum as you would like! The museum can accommodate an intimate affair for 10 guests, luxurious seated dinners for up to 350 guests, and magnificent receptions for up to 3,800 guests. The first floor of the museum offers two private spaces, the Presidential Reception Suite and the SC Johnson Conference Center, as well as our Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza which has a built in stage and lighting available for you to use during the event. Our Performance Plaza is the perfect location to bring your guests for a live band or DJ and really get the party started! The second floor is home to Flag Hall, the central hub of the museum which boasts vaulted ceilings and a beautiful abstract flag that shimmers when lighted for events. The second floor is also home to Wallace H. Coulter Unity Square and an Outdoor Terrace which overlooks our neighbors, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the Washington Monument. The Third Floor Mezzanine overlooks Flag Hall and is the perfect location for your guests to get away from the party but still feel involved. Just a few steps away from the Third Floor Mezzanine is our 3 West Wing which has beautifully painted murals wrapped around the entire wing and provide a fun and creative location for photo-ops! In season, the private 5th Floor Rooftop Terrace has breathtaking panoramic views of the National Mall from the Capitol Building, Smithsonian Castle, Washington Monument, and beyond! Make your event a historic occasion, and be one of the first to make your wedding story apart of American History! A team of professional events specialists is available to ensure an enjoyable and meaningful experience for both host and guests. Please contact us for more information!