The Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum documents and interprets the effect of historical and contemporary social and cultural issues on communities. Established in 1967 as the Anacostia Neighborhood Museum, it served first as a Smithsonian outreach museum situated in one of the District of Columbia’s largely African American neighborhoods and later evolved into a museum documenting, preserving and interpreting African American history from local and community history perspectives.

In 2006, the name of the institution was changed to the Anacostia Community Museum to reflect the expansion from ethnic themes and issues to broader cultural issues that resonate within communities worldwide.

The mission of the Anacostia Museum is to challenge perceptions, broaden perspectives, generate new knowledge, and deepen understanding about the ever-changing concepts and realities of "community."

NEW! Ride Shuttle Anacostia Weekend service for chance to win "Night at the Museum" IMAX movie tix!

Due to a July 4 activities on the National Mall Shuttle Anacostia will not stop on Jefferson Drive. For this day only the stops will be relocated to Independence Avenue. The Smithsonian Castle stop will be in front of the gate just before the entrance leading to African Art Museum. The National Air and Space Museum stop will be on Independence Avenue across the street from the entrance to the Museum before 6th Street.