'Not Ok': Lexington Historical Society Condemns Noose At African American History Museum

LEXINGTON, MA – The Lexington Historical Society weighed in on a noose found at the National Museum of African American History and Culture on Wednesday, joining the Smithsonian in condemning the act.

"We stand with our colleagues at the Smithsonian in condemning this act," the Lexington Historical Society wrote on Facebook. "This is not ok."

The incident sparked outrage from the founding director of the Washington, D.C.-based museum, who called it a "horrible act." The museum reportedly was cleared of visitors and blocked off after the noose was found by a tourist inside the Era of Segregation 1786-1968 gallery.

It was the second such incident in the past week. A noose was found hanging from a tree outside the Hirshhorn Museum on May 27, but the latest incident is much more disturbing considering the targeted nature of the message.

Smithsonian NMAAHC Founding Director Lonnie Bunch released a statement calling it a "horrible act" and a "stark reminder of why our work is so important."

"The noose has long represented a deplorable act of cowardice and depravity -- a symbol of extreme violence for African Americans," he wrote. "Today's incident is a painful reminder of the challenges that African Americans continue to face.

U.S. Park Police reportedly are investigating the noose. There is not yet any indication of whether the perpetrator was captured on camera.

Dan Taylor (Patch Staff) contributed to this report

Image via Wikimedia user Fuzheado