Jill Biden puts her face mask back on to visit African American History museum

Jill Biden puts her face mask back ON to visit the National Museum of African American History to adhere to its rules as it prepares to reopen its doors to the public for the first time since the start of the pandemic

  • Jill Biden put her face mask back on Friday to visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture ahead of its reopening to the public
  • Museum asks visitors to wear face coverings 
  • ‘Culture and beauty is coming back to DC,’ the first lady said
  • Museum reopens to the public on Saturday 

Jill Biden put her face mask back on Friday to visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture ahead of its reopening to the public.

The first lady was following the museum’s rules, which require visitors ages two and older to wear a face covering during their visit except while eating and drinking, according to its website

She was one of the first to be seen in public without a face mask on Thursday after the CDC released it’s new guidelines.

But when she arrived at the museum on Friday she put her mask back on to tour the exhibits.  

Jill Biden put her face mask back on Friday to visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture ahead of its reopening to the public.

Jill Biden said the new rules on mask wearing makes her feel 'hopeful'

Jill Biden said the new rules on mask wearing makes her feel ‘hopeful’

‘Culture and beauty is coming back to DC,’  Jill Biden told NBC News outside of the museum. The museum is reopening on Saturday for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic lock down began.

She wore a navy blue Oscar de la Renta dress with flowers on it and had a matching navy blue face mask.  

And the first lady cheered the new guidance from the CDC that says fully vaccinated people don’t have to wear face masks either inside or outdoors, although it did ask people adhere to local rules.

‘Isn’t it great? Don’t you feel good about it,’ Biden said.

The first lady wore her face mask to tour the exhibits but took it off to make brief remarks. 

‘It felt so good to be outside and have our masks off,’ she said.

‘It feels so special to me and it does feel hopeful,’ Biden said of the easing of rules. ‘Inch by inch we’re moving forward and we’ve got to just get this pandemic under control.’

She brought chocolate chips cookies from the White House for those attending the re-opening.   

First lady Jill Biden pauses at an exhibit during a visit to the National Museum of African American History and Culture with Lonnie Bunch, Secretary of the Smithsonian, left, and National Museum of African American History and Culture director Kevin Young

First lady Jill Biden pauses at an exhibit during a visit to the National Museum of African American History and Culture with Lonnie Bunch, Secretary of the Smithsonian, left, and National Museum of African American History and Culture director Kevin Young

She specifically asked to see the Harriet Tubman exhibit during her visit. The exhibit shows Harriet Tubman’s bible and handkerchief.

Secretary of the Smithsonian Lonnie Bunch showed the first lady the hymn book that Tubman carried with her.