Secretary of the Smithsonian Lonnie Bunch on the challenges of preserving America’s history

Secretary of the Smithsonian Lonnie Bunch joins Margaret Hoover at the start of Black History Month for a discussion on the importance of studying a complete history and his continued work to preserve the American story for the next generation.

Bunch is the Smithsonian’s 14th secretary and is the first Black leader and the first historian to oversee the world’s largest museum, education and research institution.

As founding director, he was the driving force behind the creation of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. He describes in vivid detail the power of receiving some of the artifacts, including objects from the life of abolitionist Harriet Tubman.

Bunch discusses his personal story, the role museums should play in society and the challenge of contextualizing complex and, often, dark history.

He also reacts to President Biden’s commitment to nominating a Black woman for the Supreme Court and tells Hoover what gives him hope for the future.

Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, Asness Family Foundation, Pfizer Inc., Craig Newmark Philanthropies,  The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, and Damon Button.