The dedication ceremony has begun in Washington, D.C. for the Smithsonian's highly anticipated National Museum of African American History and Culture, more than 100 years in the making.
Centuries of struggles and strife, decades of planning and pain, and years of hoping for a place that African-American history can call home will culminate as President Barack Obama officially opens the museum Saturday morning.
"It doesn't gauze up some bygone era or avoid uncomfortable truths," Obama said in his weekly radio and internet address. "Rather, it embraces the patriotic recognition that America is a constant work in progress, that each successive generation can look upon our imperfections and decide that it is within our collective power to align this nation with the high ideals of our founding."
With thousands of items occupying 85,000 square feet of exhibition space, the new Smithsonian will chronicle the complex relationship between the United States and a people it once enslaved, and tell the story of those who worked to make the necessary changes to bring the country to where it is today.
The museum's dedication will begin at 10 a.m., with speeches by Obama, civil rights leader U.S. Rep. John Lewis, former President George W. Bush and former first lady Laura Bush.
Thousands are already gathering on the National Mall to watch Obama, the nation's first black president, cut the ribbon to open the museum.
It will open to the public at 1 p.m. following the dedication ceremony.
"It's a historic event," said Leslie Howard, who traveled from New Orleans to attend the dedication. "And the fact that we have our first black president to dedicate it shows you how God works."
Seeing the dedication was a family event for many; Alicia Frayer came from Charleston with her husband and three daughters to attend. "I'm inspired by history," she said. "It's a major part of our hustory, and the fact that our history and culture are here for everyone to see is so important."
Many celebrities are coming to the museum's dedication as well; Oprah Winfrey, who has donated more then $20 million to the museum, tweeted that she was on her way to attend the opening. The museum tweeted out video of Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monae arriving.
D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton tweeted her personal connection to the museum's story.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser spoke before the ceremony, honoring its opening and using the opportunity to call for statehood for the nation's capital, where residents do not have voting representation in Congress. "While we are proud to host this museum ... we know it will show how far Washington has to go," Bowser said.
The museum is offering extended hours for the grand opening weekend from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and 7 a.m. to midnight Sunday, but timed entry passes are no longer available. While entry is free, like at other Smithsonian facilities, the museum is instituting a timed pass system to control crowds and alleviate wait times.
If a visitor didn't score a ticket, they can watch the museum's dedication ceremony in large-screen viewing areas at the Washington Monument grounds, or livestream the ceremony on the museum's website.
A free three-day festival celebrating the talent and creativity of African-American artists will also take place on the Washington Monument grounds. The Freedom Sounds festival will feature jazz, R&B, gospel and hip-hop artists. The Roots, Living Colour and Public Enemy will headline the festival Saturday, and a surprise special guest is slated to perform Sunday.
Anyone heading toward the museum this weekend should be prepared for large crowds and heightened security.
For more information about the museum, check NBC 4 Washington's full coverage here.
Photo Credit: Photography by Alan Karchmer
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