New Heritage Stamp Celebrates African-American History Museum

WASHINGTON

The U.S. Postal Service recently issued the Celebrating African-American History and Culture commemorative Forever stamp as a special tribute to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African-American History and Culture during a first-day-of-issue dedication ceremony.

The stamp art is based on a photograph by Alan Karchmer. Text in the upper left corner of the stamp reads “National Museum of African-American History and Culture.” Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamp.

“The Postal Service is honored to issue a new commemorative Forever stamp acknowledging the important role African-American history plays in American history,” said Deputy Postmaster General and Chief Government Relations Officer Ronald A. Stroman. “The National Museum of African-American History and Culture is an American treasure that serves as a repository for the history of suffering, struggle and triumph of African-Americans.”

Stroman was joined to dedicate the stamp by Lonnie G. Bunch III, founding director, National Museum of African-American History and Culture; David M. Rubenstein, chair, Smithsonian Institution Board of Regents; and Gerald A. Roane, postmaster, Washington, DC.

“I am humbled that the museum was chosen for this special stamp,” said Lonnie G. Bunch III. “It is fitting that the image on the stamp is the building itself, as this building, by its very design, stands as tribute to the African-American experience.”

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African-American History and Culture has welcomed nearly 3 million visitors since opening in September 2016. Created by an act of Congress, the NMAAHC is the only national museum devoted exclusively to African-American life, art, history and culture.

The museum occupies a five-acre site on the National Mall in Washington, DC, where its resemblance to the crown-like capital at the top of a Yoruban column is meant to convey faith, resilience and hope.