Anticipation surrounding the grand opening of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African-American History and Culture continues to build and the latest development has us reeling with excitement.
The critically-acclaimed WGN series Underground is currently filming for their highly-anticipated second season, but before our favorite cast of rebels returns to the small screen, the show will usher in the NMAAHC opening with the Oprah Winfrey Theater’s first-ever program screening.
Set to take place on Monday, Sept. 26 at 7p.m., the museum will host a viewing of the series followed by a panel discussion to be moderated by the museum’s Associate Director for Curatorial Affairs, Dr. Rex Ellis. Creator Misha Green, as well as cast members Amirah Vann, Alano Miller, Aisha Hines and Jessica De Gouw will also take part in the discussion.
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Speaking on the exciting opportunity to have Underground be a part of the NMAAHC inaugural celebration, museum director Lonnie Bunch says the series is the perfect selection.
“It is so fitting that we will be screening the critically acclaimed television series ‘Underground,’ which introduces Harriet Tubman,” Bunch said in a press release. “The museum has a number of artifacts on display documenting the life and work of this iconic Underground Railroad operator, Civil War spy and suffragist. Underground’ is a powerful series, one that speaks to our collective history in a way that deeply resonates with viewers, and it is a tremendous honor to be a part of this historic moment as the inaugural public program of the Smithsonian’s new National Museum of African American History and Culture,” said Matt Cherniss, President and General Manager, WGN America and Tribune Studios.”
The Smithsonian’s National African-American History Museum will host its’ official opening on Saturday, Sept. 24.