Public programs and events at the Anacostia Community Museum.
Upcoming events
Growing Community: Spirituality in the Garden: Cultivating Inner and Outer Peace with Dr. Madea Allen
Anacostia Community Museum · Anacostia Community Museum
Gardens are more than productive spaces; they are living sanctuaries. This workshop explores how the way we show up inwardly shapes the energy and experience of the garden outwardly. Participants will learn how to cultivate a garden that is not only functional and abundant, but also meditative, grounding, and spiritually nourishing. Through guided breathwork, walking meditation, herbal wisdom, and reflective practice, participants will experience the garden as a place of renewal. Together, we will explore how intentional presence, plant selection, and subtle design choices can transform any garden into a tranquil and restorative space. Practice will include: Breathwork to enter the garden with awareness and intention Guided walking meditation within the garden space Exploration of calming and spiritually supportive herbs A shared tea ritual centered on mindful presence Reflective journaling prompts
Anacostia Community Museum · Anacostia Community Museum
The FRESHFARM ACM Farm Stand returns for another farm stand season in 2026. This farm stand is direct-to-consumer located East of the River in Ward 8. The FRESHFARM ACM Farm Stand takes place on the outdoor plaza of the Smithsonian's Anacostia Community Museum (1901 Fort Place, SE Washington, DC 20020) every Saturday (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) from April 18 - November 21, 2026.* You can learn more about what is happening at the farm stand from our friends over at FRESHFARM Markets. The FRESHFARM ACM Farm Stand is generously supported by The Hillside Foundation - Allan and Shelley Holt. *Weather permitting. Be sure to follow the Anacostia Community Museum for updated information.
Anacostia Community Museum · Anacostia Community Museum
In honor of National Chess Day, join us for a free community chess experience that brings together competition, instruction, technology, and public engagement in a welcoming museum setting. The program is designed for youth, adults, families, first-time players, and experienced competitors. The four-hour program will feature a free four-round open tournament, beginner-friendly chess lessons, guided open play, interactive chess trivia, a ChessNut Move Challenge, tournament recognition, and chess-related digital prizes. Come ready to learn, connect, compete, and Always Think B4U Move. This program is facilitated by the Big Chair Chess Club.
Anacostia Community Museum · Anacostia Community Museum
Join us at the Anacostia Community Museum for a cozy story time that brings children, caregivers, and community together through books, creativity, and play. Stories will connect with ACM’s current exhibition and celebrate themes of community, family, neighborhood, history, and the fall and winter seasons. Families are invited to stay for indoor play, creative exploration, and time to connect with one another. This welcoming, accessible program supports different ways of participating, with sensory toys and tools available for children who benefit from tactile, movement, or sensory experiences. Come in, get cozy, meet your neighbors, and share stories that remind us that we all have a place in our community’s story. Recommended Audience: 18 months – 7 years Time and Schedule: 10:30 a.m. Duration: About 1 hour
Anacostia Community Museum · Anacostia Community Museum
Postcards and postage stamps preserve history in miniature, capturing stories, places, people, and moments in time. In this hands-on workshop, participants will design their own postcards and stamps while exploring the intersection of art, history, and community. Inspired by ACM’s latest exhibition, We Make History, the workshop invites participants to consider how mail can document personal and collective stories, connect communities, and preserve history for future generations.
Anacostia Community Museum · Anacostia Community Museum
The FRESHFARM ACM Farm Stand returns for another farm stand season in 2026. This farm stand is direct-to-consumer located East of the River in Ward 8. The FRESHFARM ACM Farm Stand takes place on the outdoor plaza of the Smithsonian's Anacostia Community Museum (1901 Fort Place, SE Washington, DC 20020) every Saturday (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) from April 18 - November 21, 2026.* You can learn more about what is happening at the farm stand from our friends over at FRESHFARM Markets. The FRESHFARM ACM Farm Stand is generously supported by The Hillside Foundation - Allan and Shelley Holt. *Weather permitting. Be sure to follow the Anacostia Community Museum for updated information.
Coffee & Collections: Objects that Create Connections
Anacostia Community Museum · Anacostia Community Museum
Discover objects that have connected the aspirations of people in Anacostia with those of a community in Bangladesh. The participatory art of Monica Jahan Bose encourages personal reflection and action, giving physical form to a shared desire for healthy communities. The hand-printed textiles she co-creates with the public archive expressions of hope, dedication and joy. Join us for a conversation with the artist about her Anacostia-based work for the Storytelling with Saris art project.
Anacostia Community Museum · Anacostia Community Museum
Join us at the Anacostia Community Museum for a cozy story time that brings children, caregivers, and community together through books, creativity, and play. Stories will connect with ACM’s current exhibition and celebrate themes of community, family, neighborhood, history, and the fall and winter seasons. Families are invited to stay for indoor play, creative exploration, and time to connect with one another. This welcoming, accessible program supports different ways of participating, with sensory toys and tools available for children who benefit from tactile, movement, or sensory experiences. Come in, get cozy, meet your neighbors, and share stories that remind us that we all have a place in our community’s story. Recommended Audience: 18 months – 7 years Time and Schedule: 10:30 a.m. Duration: About 1 hour
Anacostia Community Museum · Anacostia Community Museum
The FRESHFARM ACM Farm Stand returns for another farm stand season in 2026. This farm stand is direct-to-consumer located East of the River in Ward 8. The FRESHFARM ACM Farm Stand takes place on the outdoor plaza of the Smithsonian's Anacostia Community Museum (1901 Fort Place, SE Washington, DC 20020) every Saturday (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) from April 18 - November 21, 2026.* You can learn more about what is happening at the farm stand from our friends over at FRESHFARM Markets. The FRESHFARM ACM Farm Stand is generously supported by The Hillside Foundation - Allan and Shelley Holt. *Weather permitting. Be sure to follow the Anacostia Community Museum for updated information.
Growing Community: Endings and Beginnings in the Fall Garden
Anacostia Community Museum · Anacostia Community Museum
We will celebrate the ending of the growing season and the beginning of the fall and winter garden. Participants will reap the benefits of the summer crops while learning the importance of planting and cultivation of the new plants that will be our food for late fall and winter. We will learn how through time the fall garden was a time for reflection and future planning. We will revisit our journals, and as a group, we will share garden stories from the summer.
Anacostia Community Museum · Anacostia Community Museum
Join Go-Go Fitness LLC as they lead a fun dance fitness workshop for the whole family to DC’s home sound – Go-Go Music. Dress in loose fitting, comfortable clothes, wear tennis shoes, and bring water and a hand towel. Reserve your spot today! Since February 2012, Go-Go Fitness LLC has been a trusted partner and leader in dance fitness and total health and wellness in the District, the nation and the world spreading the love of DC’s homegrown Go-Go Music through dance fitness. Native Washingtonians Danette Tucker and Erica Berry Wilson started Go-Go Fitness to provide a family-friendly environment that encourages women, men and children of all ages to get fit and have fun while doing so. Throughout our history, we have encouraged physical activity to support the health and well-being of families and communities.
Anacostia Community Museum · Anacostia Community Museum
Join us at the Anacostia Community Museum for a cozy story time that brings children, caregivers, and community together through books, creativity, and play. Stories will connect with ACM’s current exhibition and celebrate themes of community, family, neighborhood, history, and the fall and winter seasons. Families are invited to stay for indoor play, creative exploration, and time to connect with one another. This welcoming, accessible program supports different ways of participating, with sensory toys and tools available for children who benefit from tactile, movement, or sensory experiences. Come in, get cozy, meet your neighbors, and share stories that remind us that we all have a place in our community’s story. Recommended Audience: 18 months – 7 years Time and Schedule: 10:30 a.m. Duration: About 1 hour
Anacostia Community Museum · Anacostia Community Museum
The FRESHFARM ACM Farm Stand returns for another farm stand season in 2026. This farm stand is direct-to-consumer located East of the River in Ward 8. The FRESHFARM ACM Farm Stand takes place on the outdoor plaza of the Smithsonian's Anacostia Community Museum (1901 Fort Place, SE Washington, DC 20020) every Saturday (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) from April 18 - November 21, 2026.* You can learn more about what is happening at the farm stand from our friends over at FRESHFARM Markets. The FRESHFARM ACM Farm Stand is generously supported by The Hillside Foundation - Allan and Shelley Holt. *Weather permitting. Be sure to follow the Anacostia Community Museum for updated information.
Anacostia Community Museum · Anacostia Community Museum
Celebrate the fall season with creativity! Join us for a festive Pumpkin Decorating Workshop, perfect for families, friends, and neighbors of all ages. Instead of carving, guests will have the option to paint pumpkins with bold patterns, whimsical characters, or abstract designs or adorn them with dried flowers and greenery for a more modern and elegant touch. Either way, you’ll transform an ordinary pumpkin into a one-of-a-kind seasonal masterpiece that’s safer, easier, and just as fun. All materials will be provided—just bring your imagination and fall spirit!
Anacostia Community Museum · Anacostia Community Museum
Join us at the Anacostia Community Museum for a cozy story time that brings children, caregivers, and community together through books, creativity, and play. Stories will connect with ACM’s current exhibition and celebrate themes of community, family, neighborhood, history, and the fall and winter seasons. Families are invited to stay for indoor play, creative exploration, and time to connect with one another. This welcoming, accessible program supports different ways of participating, with sensory toys and tools available for children who benefit from tactile, movement, or sensory experiences. Come in, get cozy, meet your neighbors, and share stories that remind us that we all have a place in our community’s story. Recommended Audience: 18 months – 7 years Time and Schedule: 10:30 a.m. Duration: About 1 hour
Anacostia Community Museum · Anacostia Community Museum
Led by Brittany Mona' , Community in a Cup: Session 1 is a two-hour hands-on candle-making workshop designed for adults to explore wellness, creativity, and community building through creative practice. The experience invites participants to slow down, reflect on their relationship with the natural world, and discover how simple creative practices can support relaxation, connection, and joy. Drawing inspiration from the ways communities have used light, scent, and gathering to create spaces of comfort and connection, participants will engage in guided conversation about the personal and cultural meanings associated with candles and communal spaces. Through facilitated discussion, sensory exploration, hands-on art making, and social interaction, participants will learn the basics of candle making and create a personalized candle using selected scents and materials. Throughout the workshop, participants will have opportunities to share memories, stories, and experiences while connecting with fellow learners. Community in a Cup encourages participants to embrace creativity as a form of wellness while celebrating the power of gathering, making, and sharing together.
Anacostia Community Museum · Anacostia Community Museum
The FRESHFARM ACM Farm Stand returns for another farm stand season in 2026. This farm stand is direct-to-consumer located East of the River in Ward 8. The FRESHFARM ACM Farm Stand takes place on the outdoor plaza of the Smithsonian's Anacostia Community Museum (1901 Fort Place, SE Washington, DC 20020) every Saturday (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) from April 18 - November 21, 2026.* You can learn more about what is happening at the farm stand from our friends over at FRESHFARM Markets. The FRESHFARM ACM Farm Stand is generously supported by The Hillside Foundation - Allan and Shelley Holt. *Weather permitting. Be sure to follow the Anacostia Community Museum for updated information.
Anacostia Community Museum · Anacostia Community Museum
We will unpack the intersections of plants, art, and a living canvas. Through the lens of gardens as living sculptures, we will forage the garden for found objects that inspire and illuminate the growing that surrounds us all. We will create a canvas collage that will reflect our living environment. We will explore the lasting beauty of Mother Nature on canvas.
Anacostia Community Museum · Anacostia Community Museum
Join artist Rain Young for a fun, hands-on art workshop celebrating soccer, creativity, and Washington, D.C.’s ever-evolving story. Participants will choose from a selection of featured Washington Spirit players and create one large collectible sports card using a playful, cartoon-inspired interpretation of their chosen player. With illustration, color, and imagination, families can add their own creative style to a one-of-a-kind card to take home. More than a sports card, each creation offers an opportunity to explore how art and sports can help tell the stories of the people, teams, and moments that have become part of D.C. history. As objects and stories connected to Washington sports rotate through We Make History, the workshop invites families to think about history as something that isn’t only in the past—it’s something we’re all making every day. Whether you love soccer, drawing, collecting sports cards, or simply creating together, come kick off your creativity and make a little D.C. history of your own! All materials will be provided.
Anacostia Community Museum · Anacostia Community Museum
Join the Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum for After Dark: Stories We Carry, an evening of art, music, memory, and connection inspired by our exhibition, We Make History. We Make History explores how everyday people make and preserve history through the stories they tell, the experiences they share, and the communities they shape. Stories We Carry invites you to reflect on the memories, traditions, people, and places that have shaped your story and how those stories become part of our collective history. Throughout the evening, enjoy a DJ, spiked apple cider and hot chocolate, and snack boxes while experiencing the museum after hours. Get creative with a hands-on art activation with Pyramid Atlantic, where guests can explore storytelling through art and create something inspired by the stories and experiences we carry with us. Leave a Recipe, Take a Recipe at Rooted Recipes, a community recipe exchange celebrating the stories and traditions passed from one table to another. Bring a favorite family or community recipe to share or discover one from someone else. Because history isn’t only told in books; it is also preserved in our kitchens, shared around our dining room tables, and carried forward through the recipes we pass from generation to generation. Come for the art, stay for the music, share a recipe, and celebrate the stories that make history. Must be 21+ to attend
Anacostia Community Museum · Anacostia Community Museum
Join us at the Anacostia Community Museum for a cozy story time that brings children, caregivers, and community together through books, creativity, and play. Stories will connect with ACM’s current exhibition and celebrate themes of community, family, neighborhood, history, and the fall and winter seasons. Families are invited to stay for indoor play, creative exploration, and time to connect with one another. This welcoming, accessible program supports different ways of participating, with sensory toys and tools available for children who benefit from tactile, movement, or sensory experiences. Come in, get cozy, meet your neighbors, and share stories that remind us that we all have a place in our community’s story. Recommended Audience: 18 months – 7 years Time and Schedule: 10:30 a.m. Duration: About 1 hour
Anacostia Community Museum · Anacostia Community Museum
The FRESHFARM ACM Farm Stand returns for another farm stand season in 2026. This farm stand is direct-to-consumer located East of the River in Ward 8. The FRESHFARM ACM Farm Stand takes place on the outdoor plaza of the Smithsonian's Anacostia Community Museum (1901 Fort Place, SE Washington, DC 20020) every Saturday (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) from April 18 - November 21, 2026.* You can learn more about what is happening at the farm stand from our friends over at FRESHFARM Markets. The FRESHFARM ACM Farm Stand is generously supported by The Hillside Foundation - Allan and Shelley Holt. *Weather permitting. Be sure to follow the Anacostia Community Museum for updated information.
Anacostia Community Museum · Anacostia Community Museum
What happens when art meets history at the museum? Join artist Brittany Monet to make zines—small booklets that offer a creative way to tell a story or explore an idea. This hands-on, family-friendly workshop is inspired by the life and legacy of Carter G. Woodson, historian, educator, and longtime resident of DC’s Shaw neighborhood. Known as the “Father of Black History, Dr. Woodson worked with artists like Loïs Mailou Jones to publish illustrated books and journals about African American history for learners of all ages. At the time, Black history was seldom included in historical narratives. The program commemorates the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, founded by Dr. Woodson in 1926, and is offered in partnership with the Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site, National Park Service in honor of its grand reopening on November 7. Visitors can see books and journals by Dr. Woodson by visiting the museum’s current exhibition, We Make History, which explores stories of Washingtonians who work to improve our communities and those who record and share our history. History is in the making, and everyone can participate! Through history, art, and imagination, participants will leave with their own handmade zine and a deeper understanding of Carter G. Woodson’s legacy—and new ways of thinking about and making history!
Anacostia Community Museum · Anacostia Community Museum
Join us at the Anacostia Community Museum for a cozy story time that brings children, caregivers, and community together through books, creativity, and play. Stories will connect with ACM’s current exhibition and celebrate themes of community, family, neighborhood, history, and the fall and winter seasons. Families are invited to stay for indoor play, creative exploration, and time to connect with one another. This welcoming, accessible program supports different ways of participating, with sensory toys and tools available for children who benefit from tactile, movement, or sensory experiences. Come in, get cozy, meet your neighbors, and share stories that remind us that we all have a place in our community’s story. Recommended Audience: 18 months – 7 years Time and Schedule: 10:30 a.m. Duration: About 1 hour
Anacostia Community Museum · Anacostia Community Museum
Explore wellness, creativity, identity, and build community through portraiture. Face to Face is a playful portrait-making experience that invites Lifelong Learners to explore identity, memory, and connection through art. Participants paint a self-portrait and transfer the image onto paper to create a one-of-a-kind monoprint. The process encourages experimentation, embracing unexpected colors, textures, and imperfections as part of each person’s story. Through artmaking and conversation, participants consider how we see ourselves, how we see one another, and the experiences that shape who we are. Designed for all artistic abilities, the activity supports creative expression, social connection, and continued learning.
Anacostia Community Museum · Anacostia Community Museum
Join us for the Growing Community: Harvest Celebration, the season finale of ACM’s Growing Community program! Come together as we celebrate another season of growing, learning, creating, and building community in the ACM Community Garden. Participants of all ages and experience levels are invited to enjoy an afternoon of hands-on activities inspired by the season’s harvest. Get your hands in the garden with gardening and harvesting activities, pause for a wellness moment, tap into your creativity with shadow box making, and enjoy more opportunities to connect, reflect, and celebrate. Whether you’ve been growing with us throughout the season or are joining us for the first time, everyone is welcome. Youth Gardeners and families are especially encouraged to participate as we gather to celebrate the garden, the harvest, and the community that helped it grow. All experience levels welcome. No gardening experience necessary. Come grow, create, reflect, and celebrate the season with us!
Anacostia Community Museum · Anacostia Community Museum
The FRESHFARM ACM Farm Stand returns for another farm stand season in 2026. This farm stand is direct-to-consumer located East of the River in Ward 8. The FRESHFARM ACM Farm Stand takes place on the outdoor plaza of the Smithsonian's Anacostia Community Museum (1901 Fort Place, SE Washington, DC 20020) every Saturday (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) from April 18 - November 21, 2026.* You can learn more about what is happening at the farm stand from our friends over at FRESHFARM Markets. The FRESHFARM ACM Farm Stand is generously supported by The Hillside Foundation - Allan and Shelley Holt. *Weather permitting. Be sure to follow the Anacostia Community Museum for updated information.
Anacostia Community Museum · Anacostia Community Museum
Trading the Black Friday rush for Coffee & Gratitude at Smithsonian's Anacostia Community Museum, a gathering centered on art, storytelling, and gratitude. Start your morning with us and enjoy a light refreshments, coffee, and hot chocolate starting 10AM before settling in for a morning of creativity, reflection, and family fun.Visitors are invited to participate in Cyanotype Portraits: Gratitude Family Workshop, a hands-on art experience inspired by the people, memories, objects and moments for which we are thankful. Using photographs, natural materials, and light-sensitive paper, participants will create one-of-a-kind cyanotype portraits and keepsakes that celebrate family, connection, and the stories we carry. What is cyanotype? Cyanotype is a photographic printing process that uses light-sensitive materials and exposure to light to create distinctive blue-and-white images. Participants can arrange photographs, plants, and other objects on specially prepared paper and expose their designs to light, revealing a unique print.Guests can also join a guided tour of We Make History, ACM’s exhibition exploring how everyday people make, preserve, and share history. Discover the stories of changemakers and history keepers across the greater Washington, D.C. region and consider the people, places, and experiences that shape the histories we create together. Enjoy a cup of coffee or hot chocolate while creating, reflecting, and spending time together. Coffee & Gratitude offers an opportunity to slow down, share what you are grateful for, explore community stories, and create something meaningful to take home. All ages and experience levels are welcome Light refreshments while supplies last
Anacostia Community Museum · Anacostia Community Museum
Join Go-Go Fitness LLC as they lead a fun dance fitness workshop to DC’s home sound – Go-Go Music. Dress in loose fitting, comfortable clothes, wear tennis shoes, and bring water and a hand towel. Reserve your spot today! Since February 2012, Go-Go Fitness LLC has been a trusted partner and leader in dance fitness and total health and wellness in the District, the nation and the world spreading the love of DC’s homegrown Go-Go Music through dance fitness. Native Washingtonians Danette Tucker and Erica Berry Wilson started Go-Go Fitness to provide a family-friendly environment that encourages women, men and children of all ages to get fit and have fun while doing so. Throughout our history, we have encouraged physical activity to support the health and well-being of families and communities. Ages 18 and up.
Anacostia Community Museum · Anacostia Community Museum
Join us at the Anacostia Community Museum for a cozy story time that brings children, caregivers, and community together through books, creativity, and play. Stories will connect with ACM’s current exhibition and celebrate themes of community, family, neighborhood, history, and the fall and winter seasons. Families are invited to stay for indoor play, creative exploration, and time to connect with one another. This welcoming, accessible program supports different ways of participating, with sensory toys and tools available for children who benefit from tactile, movement, or sensory experiences. Come in, get cozy, meet your neighbors, and share stories that remind us that we all have a place in our community’s story. Recommended Audience: 18 months – 7 years Time and Schedule: 10:30 a.m. Duration: About 1 hour