National Museum of African American Music postpones opening

The effort to build the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville has been ongoing for nearly two decades. Just as the museum enters the final stages of preparing to open to the public, the COVID-19 pandemic is forcing organizers to wait a bit longer.

A statement indicates that the grand opening celebration, planned for Labor Day Weekend at the museum’s brand-new facility in the Fifth + Broadway development, will be postponed. A new date hasn’t been selected yet for the gala event because guidelines haven't yet been established for safely holding a large, in-person gathering. The museum’s online events and community outreach programs will continue. (See the Scene's recent conversation with curator Dr. Steven Lewis for more on the museum and its mission.)