Protecting Our History Act of 2026

(a) Primary national institution. The National Museum of African American History and Culture is hereby designated the primary national institution of the United States for—

(1) collecting, preserving, and interpreting artifacts and archival materials documenting the African American experience across all periods of American history;

(2) conducting and disseminating research and scholarship on African American history, culture, art, and contributions to the United States;

(3) educating the public through exhibitions, programming, digital content, and community outreach that present African American history as central to the national narrative; and

(4) promoting accurate, comprehensive, and evidence-based historical understanding of the role of African Americans in building, defending, and advancing the United States.

(b) Relationship to existing statute. This section supplements and does not supersede the National Museum of African American History and Culture Act (20 U.S.C. 80r et seq.). In any conflict between this division and any provision of such Act, including as subsequently amended, the provision most protective of the NMAAHC’s independence and the Council’s mission fiduciary authority shall control.