If you are planning a trip to our nation’s capital, consider visiting Museum of the Bible. It is an engaging and educational museum, showcasing rare artifacts and giving visitors an immersive and personalized experience with the Bible.
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We have visited the museum twice in the past month and it is so worth the almost three hour drive from our home. There are several parking garages just a short walking distance from the museum. Scroll though the photos and information here for tips about touring the museum or to just learn more about some of the amazing things found there.
Entrance to the Museum of the Bible
With the desire and purpose to give visitors knowledge, history and an understanding of the impact the Bible has on world civilizations, art, science family and individuals, it is no surprise the details that greet you right at the entrance of the museum.
This is the view of the Museum of the Bible as we approached the museum. This building was once the 1923 Terminal Refrigerating and Warehousing Co. building. It is located just two blocks from the National Mall at 400 4th street SW in Washington, DC.
As you approach to enter the museum, your attention spans the 40-foot bronze gates. The design of these massive panels contain the first 80 lines of Genesis written in Latin, as originally printed in an early edition of the Gutenberg Bible.
Artist Larry Kirkland, known for his large-scale public art, was commissioned to create the entrance gates that weigh 7 tons and 9 tons respectively, not including the steel substructure supports.
Intended to closely mimic the metalwork of Gutenberg’s original type, the panels contain vertically engraved lines between each letter or monogram, showing exactly how the type would have been set.
Museum of the Bible
This is just a glimpse of the museum. There is so much to see and do! We prefer to move on the slower side and really take it all in. We spent a full day even hurrying through the last floor as our minds were getting tired. You can easily spend 2 hours on each floor. The staff is friendly, attentive and helpful in every way.
The first floor
Sitting on a stool, this may appear boring but the Virtual Reality Experience was anything but! It vividly soars you on a 360-degree virtual tour of more than two dozen famous biblical sites in Israel including the Sea of Galilee, the Temple Mount, the Good Samaritan’s path, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the Jordan River, the Church of the Transfiguration, the Western Wall, the Garden of Gethsemane and the Judean Wilderness. The attraction, 9-Minutes in duration, is $9.99 per visitor in addition to entry ticket.
Also located on the 1st floor are Courageous Pages Children’s Experience where kids can interact with games and hear about courage in the face of fear.
And don’t miss The Vatican Museums and the Vatican Library with amazing manuscripts and treasures.
Museum of the Bible six floors
After you journey through the museum’s lobby, walk up marble stairs or take an elevator to any of the exhibit floors.
We asked a nearby staff member where to start. He recommended to start on the 4th floor at the History of the Bible galleries especially if you like history, which begins on the fourth floor. It really doesn’t matter what floors to choose to begin with since each of the six floors in the museum contain a different exhibit which emphasizes different aspects of the Bible’s history or impact.
The World of Jesus of Nazareth in Museum of the Bible
Stroll through The World of Jesus in this immersive exhibit, a recreated ancient first-century Nazarene village. Realistic wine press, an olive press, streets, living areas, synagogue, scenery and areas to experience a living history of a Galilean village.
You won’t want to miss the New Testament Theater on the third floor. It is a 270-degree wrap-around theater showing the story of the followers of Jesus.
Museum of the Bible Artifacts
Throughout the museum, visitors can learn the history of the Bible through biblical artifacts, manuscripts, printed Bibles and books, and art from various cultures and time periods.
The first lunar Bible is just one of many fascinating pieces that caught my attention.
Prior to his death in 1967, Astronaut Edward White II (Apollo 1) told a reporter he hoped to carry a Bible to the moon. In his memory, the Apollo Prayer League formed in 1968, in part to fulfill that desire. Several missions attempted to land the Bible on the moon. Alan Bean (Apollo 12) was the first, but due to a mix-up the Bible only orbited the moon. Apollo 13 carried 512 copies, but an explosion prevented a lunar landing. Finally, in 1971, Apollo 14 astronaut Edgar Mitchell carried 300 copies of the Bible with him (100 in the lunar module, 200 in the command module, and 212 also secretly stowed in the command module). On February 5, 1971, Antares, Apollo 14’s lunar module, touched down on the moon, bringing with it the Bible. Source
Biblical history and archaeology at Museum of the Bible
Discover the impact of the Bible, its global influence in areas of American culture, government, music when touring the second floor of the museum. Trace the history of the Bible in America, from the first settlers to the twenty-first century.
The museum has over 600 fascinating artifacts inside its 11 galleries, including early New Testament manuscripts, ancient coins, Torah scrolls, illuminated manuscripts, and rare printed Bibles, illustrating the remarkable history of the Bible.
He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Deuteronomy 8:3
Special events at the museum of the Bible
The museum offers events that include speakers, productions and series in the performing arts theater.
This past week we attended an evening at Transform – a series of Biblical Reflections in the World Stage Theater on the fifth floor. Anne Graham Lotz was the speaker and the evening was such a blessing. Click EVENTS to see upcoming events.
You can listen to the recording of Anne’s talk by clicking the video below. The event begins with wonderful music by two local DC men, but if you prefer, you can slide to the 24:00 mark where Anne begins speaking.
Museum of the Bible extender fly-through video
If you go information
Times
- Currently open Wednesday through Monday but beginning April 10, Museum of the Bible will be open 7 days a week. 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
- Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Closes at 4:00 p.m. Christmas Eve.
Admission
- Adult: $19.99 Online or $24.99 Walk-up
- Seniors, Military, First Responders, and Students: $19.99 Online and $19.99 Walk-up
- Youth (Ages 5–17): $13.99 online or $14.99 Walk-up
- Child (Ages 4 and under): Free
- Member: Free
Location
- 400 4th St. SW, Washington, DC 20024
Contact
- 1-866-430-6682
Website
Note: Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the museum before planning your trip as there may be changes since this was published.
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