National Museum of African American Music shares new artifacts, still plans September opening

All is quiet on Nashville's Lower Broadway these days, but the National Museum of African American Music is still working toward its planned opening this year. 

The museum has revealed three new artifacts that will have a home inside the 56,000-square-foot facility. There's a gold and blue patterned jacket worn by blues legend B.B. King, a saxophone played by jazz great Kirk Whalum and a psychedelic space robe donned by George Clinton.

A release from the museum says that while construction has "slowed a bit," it's still planning to have its grand opening festivities over Labor Day weekend.

NMAAM's youth and adult public programs have been suspended to align with closures from Metro Nashville Public Schools, but the museum is exploring digital delivery options for several of its programs during this time.

The museum is part of the Fifth + Broadway development in downtown Nashville, and will feature seven galleries dedicated to gospel, blues, jazz, R&B, hip-hop and more, plus a 200-seat theater and rotating exhibits.