Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Once in awhile we take a ride down Constitution Avenue rather than Independence Avenue on our way home. Though it is not quite on the Mall with the other buildings, the new Smithsonian African American History Museum is close to the American History Museum and near the Washington Monument, where the cranes are competing for attention. Actually the site is also near the White House. The newest Smithsonian is supposed to open in 2015, which sounds far away but really isn't. A while back I remember a news feature showing some artifacts being brought in to the area because they would be too large to get in after the building was constructed. What's so nice about the Mall are all the museums that are free to the public. We don't go in to many of them any more as we have been in almost all of them several times. There has been talk and more talk of the eventual and expected Eisenhower Memorial near the Capitol and perhaps a Hispanic Museum in the future. As long as the green space is maintained, it's a treat for anyone who visits, but even more if you live here.