National Women’s History Museum

The NWHM is an online museum and historical research center dedicated to US women’s history with a mission to build the first physical museum dedicated to women’s history. The museum showcases online exhibitions about women who contributed to the nation in all fields, such as “The Women of NASA,” “Getting into the Games,” “From Idea to Independence,” and “Inventive Women.” It also organizes guided tours in the DC Metro area, traveling exhibits across the US, lectures, ideas for field trips, and an annual event of “Women Making History Awards Luncheon.”
 
The museum was founded in 1996 by Karen Staser after she realized that the US history is lacking women’s point of view and that mainstream culture is ignoring women’s stories, labors, inputs, and accomplishments. When Staser relocated to DC following her husband’s job, she found out that in the National Mall, many museums are showcasing American history in many fields as well as the history of many minority groups. Still, none are dedicated to women’s heritage. Her first mission with the initial museum staff was to restore the Women’s Suffrage Statue honoring Lucretia Mott, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Susan B. Anthony to the US Capitol Rotunda, since it was restored in a deserted place, in the Capitol Crypt. On Mother’s Day 1997, they succeeded.
 
In February 2020, the US House of Representatives passed a bill that a Women History Museum will be established on the National Mall in Washington, DC. It will be the first museum to showcase a full scope of women’s achievements and contributions throughout US history.