Exhibition highlights how communities preserve the past and shape the future

As the Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum prepares to mark its 60th anniversary in 2027, the exhibition “We Make History” explores how communities in the Washington, D.C., region record their experiences and contribute to the nation’s story. The exhibition opens May 30, the 185th anniversary of the first entry in the diary of Adam Francis Plummer, and celebrates Washingtonians whose work as change makers and history keepers has had a lasting impact. Plummer’s diary serves as a centerpiece of the exhibition, which will remain on view through January 2028. In addition to the diary, “We Make History” includes artifacts like letters, photographs, sports memorabilia and even a musical instrument to show how everyday moments, personal records and cultural traditions all contribute to the community stories that are the nation’s building