The most unique (and intentional) thing that was done with the National Museum of African American History and Culture is that the history is told, literally "starting from the bottom" for the earliest historical period (in the "underground' basement exhibits), and "time" works its way up through higher levels until the "current" time is on the topmost floor of the museum.
The "Middle Passage" and slavery story exists down on the lowest level and things move up levels through the country's founding, it's Civil War and Emancipation, and continues describing the series of Civil Rights movements and later wars, culminating in the glory of finally "making it", with a celebration of the best of the culture on the topmost floors (musical, art, theater, sports, etc). There are also areas for interactive exhibits and space for teaching, with food/retail tourist items on the street level floor/entrance.
I am a Charter member for the NMAAHC and finally got chance to go down there in the fall of 2018 during his 2nd year in office for the first term (the museum officially opened in the fall of 2016). I know they are continually rotating things in and out of the museum as individuals and groups donate items, but the museum sections are also laid out in themes and attempt to set a "mood", with the windowless "darkness" of the basement contrasting with the upper floors surrounded with all glass windows around the entirety of each upper level, bringing in the "light".
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