The National Museum of American History is a Smithsonian Institution museum located in Washington, D.C. It is dedicated to the collection, study, and display of objects that reflect the experience of the American people throughout history. The museum houses a diverse collection of artifacts from the colonial
A national museum can be a museum maintained and funded by a national government. In many countries it denotes a museum run by the central government, while other museums are run by regional or local governments. In the United States, most national museums are privately funded and operated, but have been designated by Congress as national institutions that are important to the country. In other countries a much greater number of museums are run by the central government.