The Museum of the Bible

                                                                                  The Museum of the Bible

                  The Museum of the Bible was completed in 2017 in Southwest D.C., 3 blocks from the Capitol and steps from the metro. The 430,000-square-foot structure, one of the largest museums in a sea of museums, cost $500 million. Originally an early 20^th-century refrigeration warehouse, the architects retained the brick façade but every floor and the roof were removed to expand the height of each level. 

The museum was cofounded by Steve Green, a conservative Evangelical Christian, is owned by the Museum of the Bible, Inc. and states it "is not political, and it will not proselytize". The museum seeks to showcase the history and influence of the best-selling book of all time in a nonsectarian, educational, scholarly and engaging way. On exhibit are 40,000 artifacts that represent 4,000 years of history.

                  The visitors’ experience begins on the exterior. The huge entrance doors are 3” thick and 40’ tall with 118 panels of German Brass, replicating Gutenberg’s backward text printing plate of the first page of Genesis. The Gutenberg Bible was the first mass produced Bible in the world. Immediately inside the vestibule is a freestanding, 16-panel, window. Inscribed on the 32’ by 13.5’ window is Psalm 19 translated into 16 languages including German, Russian, Swahili and Hindi.

A spectacular grand hall is your entrée into the museum. The space, once a train loading bay, has been redesigned with Jerusalem stone pillars and a 40’ high, 140’ long ceiling. Moving ceiling displays feature rotating biblical images. 

“Treasures from the Vatican Museums and the Vatican Library” is a special exhibit located on the first floor. It relates the story of the creation of the library, through its construction in 1589 and into the modern era. Currently the library has 1.5 million printed works and 31 miles of shelving. Manuscripts are on display along with an informational video.

                  At the end of the lobby visitors can access all six floors via a staircase or an elevator that shows an introductory film as you ride. Windows along the staircase give the effect of ascending into the light.

                  On the second floor there is a small theater with an introductory video on Biblical architecture.  This floor is devoted to “The Impact of the Bible”.

                  “Stories of the Bible” are featured on the third level. Visitors can experience first-century Nazareth in “The World of Jesus of Nazareth”. Docents explain what life was like in that era as you walk-thru village structures.

“The History of the Bible” is featured on the fourth floor. 

                  Each floor presents videos, movies and interactive stations to amplify the exhibits. Videos range in length from 3 to 30 minutes and visitors should allot a minimum of three hours to tour. There are two on-site eateries, the Milk and Honey Café and the Manna Restaurant, and a children’s play area where families and individuals can take a break.

                  Highlights of the massive collection, and the most sought after displays, are a page from the first edition of the Gutenberg Bible and Lincoln’s Bible. Gutenberg printed about 185 Bibles and completed his publication of the first edition in 1454.

                  Five hundred African Americans gifted the Bible to Lincoln. A group from Baltimore paid $580, more than $8000 in today’s money, to thank him for emancipation and enlisting black soldiers in the Civil War.

                  This is a wonderful time to visit the Museum of the Bible because of the related holiday events.

The Bells of Bethlehem: Sounds from the Church of the Nativity opens Nov. 9. The presentation features six 12th-century bells from the Church of the Nativity, exhibited for the first time outside of Bethlehem and Jerusalem. In the 13th century the bells were buried to save them from invaders and they were not rediscovered until 1906. Additionally a wooden model of the church will be displayed.

At noon daily, November 25 – December 31, the Christmas story as written in the Gospels will be related. Hot cocoa and cookies will be available.

On December 10 Liberty University’s gospel choir, Praise, and Shine, a contemporary acapella group, will present a Christmas concert.

From December 18–26, daily at 11:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m., Hanukkah Storytelling will take place. The stories told by interpreters are of the Maccabean Revolt and the Miracle of Light. 

Don’t forget to look for unique and meaningful gifts in the Christmas Market and Museum Shop. #museumoftheBible