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The National Museum of African American History and Culture isn't scheduled to open its doors to the public until 2015, but the collecting is well under way – nearly 10,000 objects having been acquired from virtually every region of the country. Founding Director Lonnie Bunch discusses this exciting journey from time to time with NPR's Guy Raz, host of All Things Considered. Tune in to this series of conversations to hear the riveting stories behind items ranging from 19^th-century photographs and Civil War-era paintings to Harriet Tubman's hymnal and Michael Jackson's fedora. Over the coming months Bunch and Raz will explore the highlights and reveal what it takes to build a collection for the Smithsonian Institution's newest museum. We'll feature a variety of objects they discuss on this page.

Bill of Sale, December 23, 1835

Gift of Candace Greene

An official copy receipt for the sale of a Negro girl named Polly, sixteen years of age for $600. This bill of sale transferred ownership from Martin Bridgeman to Wm H. Mood (both from Jackson County, territory of Arkansas), who now resides in the State of Texas. With the 1836 establishment of the Republic of Texas opening up new opportunities in agriculture and industry, many were seeking to better their circumstances. As the document is signed by Bridgeman "with his mark" rather than his signature, it indicates that he was not literate. This document conveys important realities about the institute of slavery in America. Slave owners were not always educated, large plantation owners. Slavery in Texas included all types, from the skilled artisan to the young female servant or field hand.

"Lallie Kemp Charity Hospital" Sign

Gift of Dr. Lawrence and Luann Cohen

A tangible reminder of segregation history, this sign was used in Lallie Kemp Memorial Hospital in Independence, Louisiana. The sign designates days and hours when "colored" and "white" can receive care at the clinic. Lallie Kemp, founded in 1954, used the sign until 1966, when Medicare regulations required hospitals to desegregate.

Wayne F. Miller, "The Way of Life of the Northern Negro," Chicago, 1946-1948

© Wayne F. Miller/Magnum Photos

The museum's Wayne F. Miller photography portfolio consists of 54 vintage silver prints on 11 x 14 paper. Miller (b. 1918), a native of Chicago, served in Edward Steichen's Naval Aviation Unit from 1942 to 1946. Immediately after the war, Miller was awarded two grants from the Guggenheim Foundation to photograph "The Way of Life of the Northern Negro," which was published 50 years later as a book entitled Chicago’s South Side, 1946-1948.

Muhammad Ali Headgear, 5th Street Gym

In 1960, Cassius Clay launched his professional boxing career after a successful Olympics. The 5^th Street Gym, located in the African American section of Miami, FL known as Overtown, was his home base. Owned and operated by Chris Dundee, the 5^th Street Gym had operated as a hothouse for aspiring boxers for almost ten years when Chris's brother Angelo brought the young fighter in to train. It was in this gym and the surrounding neighborhood with its vibrant mix of racial, political and cultural identities, some have argued, that Clay took his first crucial steps to becoming Muhammad Ali.

You can hear Lonnie Bunch and Guy Raz speaking about some of the items shown above on All Things Considered on the National Public Radio website.

In another interview with NPR’s Guy Raz and NMAAHC’s Lonnie Bunch that you can listen to online, the two spoke about a variety of other objects. Some of them are featured below.

Michael Jackson's stage worn fedora hat was caught by an audience member attending the star's "Victory Tour" on July 31, 1984 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ

Photograph by Shaan Kokin/Julien's Auctions

An album of largely anonymous individuals is a welcome addition to the Museum’s 19th century photography collection. Cabinet cards were a burgeoning part of a growing middle class culture in America that African Americans actively participated in; presentations of well-dressed and sophisticated portraits defied the largely stereotypical representations in newspapers and entertainment media.

Portrait of an African American man gazing to his right. From a family album, circa 1890-1910

Gift of the Family of Keith M. Jones in honor of Lonnie Bunch

Portrait of a seated baby in a Christening gown. Family album, circa 1890-1910

Gift of the Family of Keith M. Jones in honor of Lonnie Bunch

Portrait of African American woman gazing to her left with her right hand resting on a small column. From a family album, circa 1890-1910

Gift of the Family of Keith M. Jones in honor of Lonnie Bunch