Previewing the National Museum of African American History & Culture (25 images)

The Smithsonian threw open the doors and gave the media an early look at the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NCAAHC) on Wednesday, September 14, 2016, in Washington, D.C.

The 400,000 square-foot museum on the National Mall, 60 percent of which is underground, opens to the public on September 24, 2016.

A sculpture of Tommie Smith, John Carlos and Australian Peter Norman protest at the 1968 Olympics is part of the sports exhibit at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture (NCAAHC) on September 14, 2016 in Washington, DC. The 400,000 square-foot museum on the National Mall is 60% underground, and it will open to the public on September 24, 2016. Photo by Pat Benic/UPI

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The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture (NCAAHC) is shown on September 14, 2016 on the National Mall in Washington, DC. The 400,000 square-foot museum is 60% underground, and it will open to the public on September 24, 2016. Photo by Pat Benic/UPI

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President Thomas Jefferson (L) is shown with a wall of bricks to denote his slaves as part of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture (NCAAHC) on September 14, 2016 in Washington, DC. The 400,000 square-foot museum on the National Mall is 60% underground, and it will open to the public on September 24, 2016. Photo by Pat Benic/UPI

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Chuck Berry's Cadillac is part of a music exhibit at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture (NCAAHC) on September 14, 2016 in Washington, DC. The 400,000 square-foot museum on the National Mall is 60% underground, and it will open to the public on September 24, 2016. Photo by Pat Benic/UPI

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