Stroll down the National Mall on any weekend, and you’ll witness millions of visitors celebrating the stories that shaped the United States. From the National Museum of the American Indian to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the capital has evolved into a beautifully diverse tapestry of architecture, each building honoring a different piece of our shared story.
Now, the movement to cement Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AAPI) contributions in the capital is taking its own steps forward.
The Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture, the official congressional body tasked with laying the blueprint for a future national museum, is actively conducting its comprehensive study to determine how, where, and when an institution dedicated to AAPI history can rise in Washington, D.C.
A Bipartisan Mandate
The momentum for a national AAPI museum represents years of community advocacy and legislative coalition-building. Introduced by Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY) as H.R. 3525, the Commission To Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture Act passed Congress with unanimous, bipartisan support and was signed into law by President Joe Biden in June 2022.
The law created an eight-member “blue-ribbon” congressional commission appointed equally by Senate and House leadership from both parties. The commission’s primary mandate is to deliver a detailed plan of action to Congress and the President.
Key Leadership
Leading the effort is a panel of seasoned museum leaders, entrepreneurs, and public servants.
The commission is co-chaired by Dr. Jay Xu, the distinguished former Director and CEO of the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco and the first Chinese American to lead a major U.S. art museum, alongside Chiling Tong, President and CEO of the National Asian & Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (National ACE). Joanne Kwong, President of New York’s iconic Pearl River Mart, serves as Vice Chair, with Krystal Ka‘ai Hetherington leading operations as Executive Director.
Sworn into service at a ceremony in the Library of Congress, the Commissioners bring decades of expertise in museum curation, non-profit development, and government relations.
Why Now?
Our histories have always been deep and rich, even if standard textbooks only caught glimpses of them. Today, the movement for a national museum arrives at a truly special moment, a time to celebrate the remarkable strides our communities have made across art, public service, and innovation, while honoring the strength that brought us here. From 19th-century railroad builders and farmworkers to Pacific Islander navigators, and from wartime resilient families to the vibrant tapestry of modern immigrant cultures, the proposed museum aims to create a welcoming, heartfelt home for every story.
What Lies Ahead
Bringing a national museum to life is going to be a multi-year effort, but the essential groundwork being laid today is paving the way for a warm, welcoming place we can all proudly call our own. To support the effort, partner organizations like Friends of the National Asian Pacific American Museum have mobilized task forces representing academics, curators, and regional community groups nationwide to contribute content recommendations and community outreach. As the Commission continues its public engagement, town halls, and research phases, the feeling among advocates is one of hope and celebration.
To learn more about the Commission’s work, sign up for updates, or participate in public surveys, visit the official site at nationalapamuseum.org.
