Metro announces limited-edition Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture SmarTrip® commemorative cards
In honor of the historic opening of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC), Metro today released four limited-edition SmarTrip® commemorative cards that showcase the new museum and celebrate cultural icons of African American history.
Each reusable plastic card comes pre-loaded with $8 in stored fare value for a total price of $10 and features iconic imagery of the museum’s architecture and notable exhibits.
“Metro’s diverse workforce and ridership reflect the diversity of our region, and we’re honored to play a role in connecting the public to this important new Smithsonian museum,” said Metro General Manager/CEO Paul J. Wiedefeld. “These limited-edition SmarTrip cards commemorate the significance of having a museum on the National Mall that celebrates the richness of black culture and the vast contributions made by African Americans to our society.”
Celebrating a Cultural Legacy: National Museum of African American History
Photographed from Constitution Avenue with the Washington Monument angled prominently in the background, the five-story museum structure is featured on one of the four NMAAHC limited-edition SmarTrip commemorative cards. With its entirely wrapped ornamental bronze-colored metal lattice exterior, the museum’s outer design pays homage to the intricate ironwork that was crafted by enslaved African Americans in Louisiana, South Carolina and elsewhere.
Celebrating a Cultural Legacy: Frederick Douglass
Paying homage to an African-American social reformer, abolitionist and writer, Frederick Douglass is featured on the second NMAAHC limited-edition SmarTrip commemorative card. Douglass was a renowned human rights leader in the anti-slavery movement and the first African-American citizen to hold a high U.S. government rank.
Celebrating a Cultural Legacy: Harriet Tubman
Taken from an albumen print that will be on display at the museum, an image of Harriet Tubman is the focus of the third NMAAHC limited-edition SmarTrip commemorative card. Tubman escaped slavery to become a leading abolitionist and led many enslaved people to freedom along the route of the Underground Railroad.
Celebrating a Cultural Legacy: Parliament-Funkadelic Mothership
An iconic stage prop in African-American musical history, the Parliament-Funkadelic Mothership is featured on the fourth NMAAHC limited-edition SmarTrip commemorative card. A replica of “The Mothership” will be on display in the museum's Musical Crossroads gallery.
“I am honored and pleased that the Mothership from which I emerged at many concerts back in the day will now be pictured on the SmarTrip card that will carry folks all over Chocolate City, perhaps better known as Washington DC,” said Dr. George Clinton, founder of Parliament – Funkadelic.
“As we move closer to the Grand Opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, I am so pleased that our partners at Metro have issued four special edition Smart Trip cards depicting the museum and significant people and objects that will be featured in it,” said Lonnie G. Bunch, Museum Director. “We hope riders will purchase the SmarTrip cards not only to keep them as souvenirs but to use them to take Metro to the Museum.”
The commemorative cards will be available online beginning Saturday, September 10 at https://smartrip.wmata.com/storefront and at Metrorail stations beginning on Friday, September 16.
Customers may also purchase the commemorative cards in the following Metro Sales Offices beginning Monday, September 12:
Metro Headquarters (Main Entrance)
600 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
Open Weekdays 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Metro Center Sales Office
12th and F Street, NW
(Metro Center station)
Washington, DC 20005
Open Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Bulk Sales pick-up only Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Metro Pentagon Sales Office
Pentagon Transit Center
Upper level bus bay
Arlington, VA 22202
Open Weekdays 7:30 a.m. - 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Metro Anacostia Sales Office
Anacostia Metrorail Station, Mezzanine Level, Bus Bay Exit
1101 Howard Road, SE
Washington, DC 20020
Open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Thursdays 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Northern Metrobus Garage
4615 14th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20011
Open Saturday, Sunday, and Monday 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
The National Museum of African American History and Culture was established by an Act of Congress in 2003, following decades of efforts to promote and highlight the contributions of African Americans. When the NMAAHC opens on September 24, 2016, it will be the 19th and newest museum of the Smithsonian Institution. It is proximate to the National Mall at 1400 Constitution Avenue NW and accessible by Federal Triangle or Smithsonian Metrorail stations.