Excerpt:
The National Museum of American History (NMAH) is devoted to collecting, preserving, and interpreting artifacts as a special class of historical evidence—and as principal expressions of human creativity. The Museum is interested in how objects are made, how they are used, how they express human needs and values, and how they influence society and the lives of individuals. NMAH's natural focus is on the history of the United States of America, including its roots and connections with other cultures.