washington congressionally-appointed panel wednesday call creation u.s. museum women history prefer sit near washington national mall american museum women history would close gap u.s. capital museums devote everything space spy stamp black history none focus women backers say america need deserve physical national museum dedicate showcasing historical experience impact women country say report seven-member commission women empanel congress 2014. creation museum would call decade-long effort gather support fund build cost build 75,000 square feet 6,900 square meter 90,000 square feet 8,400 square meter would estimate 150 million 180 million private fund report say commission also recommend congress donate land free charge museum site provide exist build museum would become part smithsonian institution world big museum complex oversee board also appoint congress federal government would assume operation maintenance cost panel recommend three sit women museum around national mall vast area stretch two miles 3.2 km u.s. capitol west lincoln memorial often call america front lawn one site side mall opposite national museum african american history culture open september second site smithsonian 19th-century arts industries build also mall third ground u.s. capitol congress declare mall close new build 2003 make exception african american museum mall already crowd monuments museums washington planners look ways pay tribute u.s. historical figure events away area congressional panel call u.s. women 's history museum