From Zero Artifacts to $2.5 Billion Raised: Lonnie Bunch Steps Down After Building the Black History Museum and Reshaping the Smithsonian

When Lonnie G. Bunch III took over the National Museum of African American History and Culture in 2005, he had no building, zero artifacts, and exactly one employee: himself. Nearly four decades after first walking through the Smithsonian doors as a junior curator, the trailblazing historian and 14th Secretary has announced he will step down by the end of the year. From turning a century-old dream on the National Mall into an institution visited by 13 million people, to breaking records with a $2.5 billion fundraising campaign, Bunch did not just run the Smithsonian—he redefined how America sees itself.

Posted by Samuel E. Ortiz
Posted on

Overview: Lonnie G. Bunch III announced his retirement as the 14th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, concluding nearly 38 years of service by the end of the year. During his seven-year tenure as the Smithsonian’s first Black and first professional historian leader, Bunch raised a record-setting $2.5 billion, oversaw 21 museums, and previously built the National Museum of African American History and Culture from the ground up.

Portrait of Lonnie G. Bunch III, 14th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.
Lonnie G. Bunch III, the 14th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution and founding director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture. (Photo courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution)

After nearly four decades, the visionary founding director of NMAAHC and 14th Smithsonian Secretary prepares to close an era-defining chapter on the National Mall.

Lonnie G. Bunch III is stepping down as Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. His retirement closes a remarkable run spanning nearly 38 years across the world’s largest cultural and research complex.

Bunch made history in June 2019 when he took the helm as the 14th Secretary. He became both the first African American and the first professional historian to lead the institution. Today, the Smithsonian network spans 21 museums, 20 libraries, the National Zoo, and major research facilities worldwide.

His departure marks the end of an era defined by bold institution building, record-setting growth, and a commitment to telling the full, unvarnished story of the United States.

“I have spent nearly half of my life working at and being part of the Smithsonian family, and what a privilege it has been. There is no place like the Smithsonian. It has been one of the great loves of my life, and I am extraordinarily proud of what we have accomplished together.”

— Lonnie G. Bunch III

Building From Ground Zero: The NMAAHC Legacy

Before running the entire institution, Bunch took on an assignment most thought was nearly impossible.

In 2005, he was appointed founding director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC). At the time, the museum had:

  • No permanent building
  • Zero artifacts in its collection
  • No independent funding
  • A staff of one person: Bunch himself

Over the next 11 years, he mobilized donors, lawmakers, and communities across the country. In September 2016, the museum opened its doors on the National Mall. It has since welcomed more than 13 million visitors and stands as one of the most visited cultural destinations in the world. This month marks its 10th anniversary.

Key Highlights of Secretary Bunch’s Tenure

Bunch guided the Smithsonian through unprecedented operational challenges, including a global pandemic, while aggressively scaling its reach and financial footing.

  • Record-Breaking Fundraising: Led the Smithsonian Campaign for Our Shared Future, surpassing its $2.5 billion goal and locking in some of the largest private gifts in the institution’s history.
  • New Museums on the Mall: Advanced plans for two federally authorized institutions: the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum and the National Museum of the American Latino, securing the historic Arts and Industries Building as the Latino Museum’s permanent site.
  • Iconic Acquisitions and Science: Oversaw milestones ranging from the acquisition of the Greensboro Lunch Counter to the Smithsonian’s role in capturing the first image of a black hole, alongside welcoming two giant pandas to the National Zoo.
  • Broad Public Access: Expanded digital educational tools directly into American classrooms, ensuring resources reached far beyond Washington.

What Leadership Is Saying

Chief Justice of the United States John G. Roberts, Jr., who serves as Smithsonian Chancellor, praised Bunch’s decades of service:

“From his days as a young curator at the National Air and Space and American History Museums through his tenure as the founding director of the African American History and Culture Museum and culminating in his distinguished service for the past seven years in the Smithsonian’s top job, Secretary Bunch has pursued excellence in the telling of our nation’s story.”

Board of Regents Chair Franklin D. Raines echoed that impact:

“I have seen firsthand how Secretary Bunch’s leadership of our 21 museums and the National Zoo has illuminated the nation’s past, opened pathways to new knowledge and powered creativity and innovation. These efforts will help create a better shared future for all.”

Next Steps and Leadership Transition

Bunch will conclude his duties by the end of the calendar year.

The Smithsonian Board of Regents plans to appoint an Acting Secretary in the near future while launching a comprehensive national search to name the 15th Secretary of the Institution.

#LonnieBunch #Smithsonian #NMAAHC

Related Articles