By the Numbers: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Ten quick facts and figures on the newest museum coming to the National Mall

What to Know

  • The National Museum of African American History and Culture opens Saturday.

The National Museum of African American History and Culture opens this Saturday. Want to be filled in on the facts and figures?

Here are 10 numbers to know:

400,000 -- The square footage of the building, which is situated on a five-acre space next to the Washington Monument.

230 -- the weight, in tons, of bronze-colored, cast aluminum divided into 3,600 panels that create the signature exterior feature called the Corona.

5 -- The number of floors located above ground. These floors include the Orientation Theater, education space, Center for African American Media Arts, community galleries, culture galleries and more. These is also a below ground-section that includes concourse levels 0-3.

$540 million -- The building's total cost of construction and exhibition installations. This total was funded by both the Smithsonian and by federal funds.

60 -- The percentage of the building's structure that is located below ground. This challenging construction feat marks this museum as one of the largest and most complex in the country. 

12 -- The number of exhibitions that the museum will have during its opening. These inaugural exhibitions are centered around three themes: history, community and culture.

37,000 -- An estimate of how many objects the museum now owns. This number was made possible by donors and institutional support.

3,000 -- The number of artifacts the museum will have on display during its opening. Artifacts include a range of items from pieces of a slave ship to Olympic medals.

350 -- The number of seats in the Oprah Winfrey Theater, which is one of the largest spaces in the museum. This theater aims to act as a forum for performers, leaders and educators to enrich audiences on African American history and culture.

$0 -- The cost of attendance. As with other Smithsonian museums, admission is free, but due to a high level of interest, timed-entry passes will be required.

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