About the Collections The National Museum of American History
collects artifacts of all kinds—from gowns to locomotives—to
preserve for the American people an enduring record of their
past. The Museum has more than 3 million artifacts in its
collection. Information and photos of selected objects are
available in the online collections database. The database is a
work-in-progress and new items will be added regularly. Museum
collections reflect the breadth, depth, and complexity of the
experiences of the American people, from social and cultural
history to the history of science, medicine, and technology. The
Museum collects the ordinary as well as the extraordinary and is
interested in how objects are made, how they are used, how they
express human needs and values, and how they influence society
and the lives of individuals. Our focus is on the history of the
United States, including its roots and connections with other
cultures. As sources for research, the Museum offers not only
historical objects but sign