A few weeks ago I landed in the heart of Washington, DC at the Museum of the Bible. A friend had reached out to me wanting to explore a museum and I said “let’s go!” I jumped into the car and headed south on I-95. I’ll admit, there are certain places that encourage one to slow down, reflect, and most importantly, engage with history in a new way. I believe that perspective is everything. And my recent visit to the Museum of the Bible was one of those experiences (hence the reason for this post).
Before visiting the museum, I did not have many expectations (except to see a lot of Bibles, of course). I visited right after Easter and the decor was very fitting. The atmosphere was inviting and the staff was very helpful with a detailed guide on what was inside each floor of the museum. I did not know that if you arrive after 3PM the ticket cost is reduced by 50%. That was a total win for me, considering that I only purchased the basic ticket. There were other ticket options for additional cost, but I opted out of seeing the Dead Sea Scrolls. I will say that the ticket I purchased was appropriate for the amount of time I had to learn and explore. The museum experience offered an immersive journey through history, culture, and storytelling. From interactive exhibits to historical artifacts, the experience encouraged me to think more deeply about the Bible as not only a religious text, but as a historical document that has inspired the world.
Personal Takeaways and Highlighted Experiences
Identifying as a Christian, I use the Bible as my religious text. It is quite common to go to it for guidance, inspiration, and comfort. At the museum, those religious undertones were muffled. It was more of a secular, historical perspective of how the Bible has evolved and impacted the past, present, and future. This was not my first time reading the Bible from this perspective, but it has been a long time.
Some readers may know that during my undergraduate studies at UNC Chapel Hill I double minored in History and Music. At UNC, we were required to take general education courses to fulfill our degree. I remember taking a religious studies course entitled The Hebrew Bible. That semester, I read the Old Testament cover-to-cover (and wrote quite a few essays). What fueled my curiosity in that class was the non-religious approach to teaching the text. It was rooted in historical facts and geography with minimal focus on the lessons Christianity extracts from the text. The Museum of the Bible reminded me of that class and empowers me to spend more time researching the history behind some of the powerful perspectives I’ve often read.
The Museum of the Bible and other similar museum are important because it provides an educational opportunity that also drives cultural impact. I believe that these experiences help people learn more about history and culture, engage in thoughtful conversations, explore different perspectives, and build curiosity and understanding. Visitors to the Museum of the Bible can gain a well-rounded experience of the Bible and how it has been used in various ways throughout history. It has been used in the foundations of the educational system, served as a source of inspiration during the Civil Rights movement, been a fundamental source of encouragement for incarcerated individuals, and even found its home in fashion.
Overall, my visit to the Museum of the Bible was intellectually stimulating and very rewarding. I would recommend this experience to people who are interested in seeing various Bibles and how they were made, other historical aspects of the Bible (including the Torah and Apocrypha), and a many other artifacts. If I visit again, I would like to see more original artifacts. The museum had quite a few images and depictions of artifacts on glass that were housed elsewhere. Seeing some of those items in-person would have elevated my experience.
Final Thoughts
Travel and educational experiences often leave a lasting impression, and this visit was no exception. I’m very grateful that a friend asked me if I wanted to explore the Museum of the Bible because it reminded me of my undergraduate religious studies experience and encouraged me to reflect on how I personally encounter the text. I am always inspired to continue learning more and am excited for my next big adventure!
Dr. Crystal K. Waters 
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