Members-Only Tour of “A Better Life for Their Children” Exhibition at the National Building Museum
Members of the National Building Museum (and, per the promotional text, also offered in partnership with the Capital Jewish Museum) are invited to an exclusive guided tour of the exhibition “A Better Life for Their Children: Julius Rosenwald, Booker T. Washington, and the 4978 Schools that Changed America.” The tour provides a private, docent-led walkthrough of this photographic and historical exhibition, which documents the early‑20th‑century collaboration between Jewish philanthropist Julius Rosenwald and Black educator Booker T. Washington that resulted in the construction of nearly 5,000 schoolhouses across the segregated South. Photographer Andrew Feiler traveled more than 25,000 miles to capture the remaining schools and interview former students and community members; his black‑and‑white images are complemented by architectural drawings, a recreated classroom with period artifacts, and an introductory video.
When: Thursday, August 13, 2026.
Showtimes: Two one‑hour tour sessions are offered, running from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: Free, but advance registration is required. Space is limited and reserved exclusively for members of the museum (and, as noted, for Capital Jewish Museum members).
Guide: A museum educator or docent leads each tour. Participants should meet the guide at the National Building Museum.
Run time: Approximately one hour.
Ages: Not specified; the exhibition and tour are likely suitable for general audiences, but please confirm with the venue if bringing younger children.
Venue: National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW, Washington, DC 20004.
Note: This is a members‑only event; non‑members may join the museum in advance to attend. The tour offers an in‑depth look at the exhibition’s themes of education, philanthropy, and social change, and includes access to all exhibited materials including Feiler’s photographs, reproduced architectural plans, and the period classroom installation.