Otumfuo, Lady Julia Explore Museum of the Bible
The King of the Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and his wife, Lady Julia, have paid a visit to the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C to explore its vast collection of rare biblical artefacts, historic manuscripts and immersive exhibits.
The visit on August 31, 2026, formed part of the Asantehene’s two-week working visit to the United States.
The Monarch and his wife were welcomed by the founders, Steve and Jackie Green.
At the Museum of the Bible, one of the world’s largest museums dedicated to the history and impact of the Bible, Otumfuo and Lady Julia were taken on a guided tour of its extensive exhibits, which showcase rare biblical artefacts, manuscripts and immersive displays tracing the Bible’s history and cultural influence.
About the Museum
Located just three blocks from the U.S. Capitol, the 430,000-square-foot Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C. is an institution devoted to the history, story and influence of the world’s most widely circulated book.
Opened in November 2017, the non-sectarian museum was largely funded by the Green family, owners of Hobby Lobby, together with other donors, and operates as a non-profit with a mission to invite all people to engage with the Bible through artefacts and immersive technology.
The museum is spread across six floors, each built around a distinct theme. The first floor serves as the main entrance, featuring 40-foot bronze doors inscribed with the creation story from Genesis and a 140-foot LED ceiling display.
The second floor explores how the Bible has shaped society, highlighting its influence on literature, music, law, science and American history. The third floor focuses on the biblical narrative itself, with a recreated first-century Nazareth village and theatrical presentations of the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament.
The fourth floor forms the historical heart of the museum, displaying hundreds of rare items including illuminated manuscripts, early Torah scrolls and leaves from Gutenberg Bibles that trace how the text was transmitted and translated over centuries.
The upper floors combine scholarship, performance and hospitality. The fifth floor houses the 500-seat World Stage Theatre for lectures, performances and long-term academic exhibitions organised in collaboration with institutions such as the Israel Antiquities Authority. The sixth floor features a rooftop biblical garden with plants mentioned in scripture, offering panoramic views of the capital, along with a Mediterranean-style restaurant.
Beyond its exhibits, the Museum of the Bible also serves as an educational and research hub. Through its Scholars Initiative, it partners with universities and research institutions worldwide to study its collections, which include historic Bibles once owned by notable figures. By pairing rare manuscripts with interactive digital displays, the museum presents a comprehensive look at the Bible’s historical journey and its enduring global influence.
Story by Hajara Fuseini
Click to read more: https://opemsuo.com/author/hajara-fuseini/
