Oprah Winfrey donates £7.7m to new museum

Oprah makes the biggest donation to a new museum dedicated to African American history.

14:36 13 June 2013

The Queen of Talk donated £7.7million to Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., which is still under construction and is set to open in 2015.

 

To show gratitude to Oprah’s generosity, a 35-seat theatre will be named after her. 

 

Oprah, who has been on the museum’s advisory council for nearly 10 days, said in a statement: “I am so proud of African American history and its contributions to our nation as a whole. I am deeply appreciative of those who paved the path for me and all who follow in their footsteps.”

 

“By investing in this museum, I want to help ensure that we both honour and preserve our culture and history, so that the stories of who we are will live on for generations to come.”

 

Based on reports, building the museum will cost £319million. Half of the amount is coming from the US government while the rest is being raised through private donations. 

 

One item to look forward to when the museum opens in 2015 is the glass-topped casket that held the body of 14-year-old Emmett Till. Her murder helped start the civil rights movement.