DuSable Museum Watches Opening Of Smithsonian National Museum Of African American History & Culture

CHICAGO (CBS) -- The grand opening of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture was a huge event for many across the nation, not just in Washington, D.C.

Here in Chicago, many gathered at the DuSable Museum of African American History to watch the reveal, an emotional, yet powerful moment.

"It cannot be overstated the significance and the impact and the feeling that we have as African Americans and what we should have as all Americans to see that finally after this more than 100 year struggle to get this museum open on the National Mall," DuSable Museum CEO Perri Irmer said.

The museum is the first and only national museum dedicated to African Americans and their history. Irmer says the opening couldn't be more timely.

"This couldn't be happening at a more important, more significant, more appropriate time to see our national museum, our story our narrative portrayed accurately and fully for all Americans and the entire world to be educated on our contributions and our culture and our history and our art."

The DuSable Museum received its own Smithsonian Institution affiliate status earlier this year and as Irmer says, is the oldest independent African American history museum in the nation.