madame c.j. walker was the first woman to become a self-made millionaire before women had the right on vote. >> this is a story that needed to be told. >> reporter: madame c.j. walker was born shortly after the emancipation proclamation, her parents had been slaifdz on a plantation in louisiana. with some guidance from her black people. it took off, and by 1910, she had started a beauty school and built a factory employing as many as 3,000 people. bundles donated about a dozen family keepsakes to the new national museum of african american history and culture in washington, d.c., including this sign. >> it was very hard to give these items up. the greater gift is that i will be able to see other people enjoy them, and that when i'm gone, those items will still be there. >> reporter: the museum chose to showcase madame walker because she did something nearly impossible in the early 1900s. >> she was a pioneer in the beauty culture industry. it was very difficult for african americans to have that kind of

. >> reporter: this woman donated about a dozen belongings from her great-great-grandmother, madam c.j. walker, became a self-made millionaire in the 1900s developing a line of hair care products for black people. >> she was a pioneer in the beauty culture industry. it was very difficult for african-americans to have that kind of those times. >> reporter: the museum has 200 employees and 300 volunteers. for many, it's a turning point. >> as a kid growing up here in d.c. and you see all of these museums. to finally have one that will tell your story from your perspective it was exciting. >> reporter: to mark the opening, president obama will ring a 500-pound bell on loan williamsburg, virginia, founded in 1776 by slaves and freed blacks. now celebrationless run through the weekend. a number of events are planned, including musical performances by the roots, and public enemy. vinita? >> a wonderful moment that bell ringing will be. thank you. >>> everybody you talk to, everyone wants to go see this museum. >> looks fascinating. can't wait to go. really can't. >>> no one injured when a self-drivi