Smithsonian to repurpose existing building for National Museum of the American Latino

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On August 31, the Smithsonian Board of Regents designated the Arts and Industries Building as the permanent site for the National Museum of the American Latino. By repurposing an existing Smithsonian-owned building, the institution bypassed the need for congressional approval required for a site owned by the National Park Service. This decision followed the 2020 congressional authorization of the museum and occurred amid opposition from the Trump administration, which had proposed stripping funding for the project in favor of a decentralized center.

Consequences

The project faces an estimated $1 billion cost and requires significant fundraising to retrofit the Arts and Industries Building. The museum's development remains subject to ongoing political tensions regarding the Smithsonian's role in documenting U.S. history.

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