About
The National Museum and Center for Service
History
The National Museum and Center for Service began as a vision of Congressman Brian Baird. Everywhere he went, in local communities and around the world, Brian met people giving of themselves to help others — rescuing people from floods, treating diseases, feeding the hungry, teaching children, evacuating refugees or in countless other ways. No matter how hard the conditions, no matter the challenge or risk — as volunteers, in their work, or through charitable giving, Americans are at their very best when they engage in service. We have all benefited from service in our own lives and know of people from all walks of life who deserve to be recognized for their contributions to the community.
Having seen so many powerful and moving examples, Brian realized that there is no place in our nation’s capital or any other community in the nation where we honor service in ALL its many forms. To fill that void, and to help inspire and unify our nation around our shared value of service, the National Museum and Center for Service was conceived — dedicated to creating a nationwide network of local service exhibitions and a signature national institution in a place of prominence near the National Mall in Washington DC.
The need: The spirit of service is in decline.
From the beginning, service to the greater good has been central to the American spirit and the essential core of any democracy. The United States leads the world in creation of service organizations and philanthropy at home and abroad. But multiple sources of information suggest our nation is dangerously divided and the spirit of service and charity is in decline as is trust and giving to nonprofits and charity. We need to reverse that trend and one of the best ways to do so is to publicly and prominently tell the story of service through physical exhibitions placed in places where people already go.
in household giving
Americans trust nonprofits
Americans trust corporate philanthropy
report having received service from a nonprofit.
The solution: Remind America what we have in common.
Uplift and showcase the greatness, diversity and potential of all Americans
who give themselves every day through service to their community.
The National Museum and Center for Service will be the first of its kind — a space dedicated to honoring and inspiring the spirit of service over self, and celebrating the everyday people whose service transforms communities and sustains our democracy. The NMCFS will also bring the story of American service to communities around the country through installations in public libraries and exhibits on college campuses, sharing the diversity and spirit of service that is fundamental to our nation’s character.
It is through service that we learn to respect our differences and transcend our divisions.