Museum of the Bible

The Museum of the Bible is a museum in Washington D.C. which documents the narrative, history, and impact of the Bible . It opened on November 17, 2017, and has 1,150 items in its permanent collection and 2,000 items on loan from other institutions and collections. The museum claims it is nonsectarian and "is not political, and it will not proselytize." However, members of the board of directors are required to sign a "faith statement" regarding the truth of the Bible. In the year before its launch, the museum fielded questions about the acquisition of its collection, including a federal case over smuggled Iraqi antiquities and thousands of clay artifacts. The museum's dedication ceremony received an official pontifical blessing from Pope Francis , and people in attendance included Cardinal Donald Wuerl , musician CeCe Winans , Senate Chaplain Barry Black , Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser , and Israeli Ambassador Ron Dermer . The Museum of the Bible features dining, including a restaurant called Manna that serves kosher food.