The National Museum of American Diplomacy is the first museum in the nation dedicated to telling the stories of American diplomacy. Its mission is to inspire discovery of how American diplomacy shapes the United States's prosperity and security. The museum is located at the 21st Street entrance of the Harry S Truman building in Washington, D.C. where the U.S. Department of State is headquartered. The National Museum of American Diplomacy falls under the Bureau of Public Affairs. Previously, it was called the United States Diplomacy Center and was renamed in November 2019. On April 2, 2018, Mary D. Kane became the museum's new director. Ms. Kane adds both private and public sector experience to the NMAD, having served as President of Sister Cities International, Executive Director of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and Secretary of State for Maryland.
Architect Hany Hassan of Beyer Blinder Belle designed the museum's award- winning 20,000 square-foot pavilion which extends out for visitors entering on 21st Street. The design intends to complement the original 1941 wing of the Harry S Truman Building, the headquarters of the U.S. Department of State. The opening hall will feature interactive exhibits to explore American diplomacy today and provide an orientation for the public about U.S. diplomats, what they do, where they are posted around the world, U.S. global bilateral and multilateral relationships, and how this all relates to the everyday lives of citizens. In 2019, a preview exhibit designed in collaboration with Smithsonian Exhibits will open to the public.
Education Outreach
The National Museum of American Diplomacy aims to engage students and educators through the Center's education programs and curricula. At the core of the center's education outreach is the diplomacy simulation program, an immersive exercise in which participants engage on a critical global issue. Working in small teams, participants step into the world of diplomacy by representing the interests of a specific stakeholder group. Under set time constraints, the groups are challenged to negotiate a solution to an international crisis. Using the information provided in the simulation materials, they develop, defend and modify their group's policy positions in real time. The museum also trains educators to run simulations using free, online materials found on the NMAD's . Materials include a teacher's guide with links to instructional videos and scenarios with background information and short video links featuring topic experts. Educators in turn can teach thousands of students about the art and challenges of diplomacy.
Current Installations
In collaboration with Smithsonian Institution Exhibits, exploring the themes of Security, Prosperity, Democracy, and Development opened November 2019. The preview exhibit will offer visitors an advanced look at the center's permanent exhibitions. are available Fridays.
Pop Culture
The museum will also display Madeleine Albright's pin collection, how Shirley Temple Black was the ambassador to Ghana and then Czechoslovakia, and then the first eve female chief of protocol, and also items from the TV show Madam Secretary.
Partnerships
The National Museum of American Diplomacy inspires learning through its public programs and events to commemorate important moments and milestones in American diplomacy, including panel discussions, film screenings, and ceremonies. The public programs feature Foreign and Civil Service Officers, foreign policy experts, historians and citizen diplomats and take place in our Pavilion's lower level. The NMAD hosts panel discussions on diplomacy for the general public and hosts events in partnership with other Bureaus at the State Department, outside U.S. government agencies, organizations, and embassies. The NMAD also hosts outside events, such as exhibit testing and a diplomacy-centered hackathon.
