African- American museum ‘ belongs to all Americans’

D. C. welcomes latest uplifting marvel to National Mall

It has been more than 200 years since African- American settlers put down roots that grew into a small farming community in southwestern Indiana.

Two centuries later, Lyles Station’s little- known story is among those spotlighted at the Smithsonian Institution’s new National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Stanley Madison, a fifth- generation Lyles Station farmer who donated his great- grandfather’s scythe to the museum, was among thousands of people on the National Mall in Washington for the weekend opening.

A joyful, multicultural crowd celebrated as entertainers including Will Smith and Oprah Winfrey and historymakers such as the Tuskegee Airmen joined President Obama and former president George W. Bush at Saturday morning’s dedication.

The only national museum dedicated to a full rendering of African- American history tells an essential part of the American story, Obama said.

“The story that is told here doesn’t just belong to black Americans, it belongs to all Amer- icans,” President Obama said from the covered doorway of the $ 540 million, 400- square- foot structure whose filigreed bronzework mimics an African crown.

“Together, we’ll learn about ourselves as Americans, our sufferings, our delights and our triumphs,” Obama said. “And we’ll walk away better for it.”

After the ceremony, while visitors with timed passes queued on Constitution Avenue, others enjoyed the Freedom Sounds festival, which featured storytellers, singers, drummers and more.

“It was just absolutely outstanding to be there,” Madison said of Saturday’s ceremony. “It was absolutely moving.”

JARRAD HENDERSON, USA TODAY STAX Music Academy’s Christopher Franklin, 16, of Memphis heads to perform at the Freedom Sounds festival.

PABLO MARTINEZ MONSIVAIS, AP Last- minute preparations are made for the dedication ceremony at the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture.