Washington, June 1 (IANS): A noose was found inside the National Museum of African-American History and Culture in here, the second time in less than a week after a noose was left at one of the Smithsonian museums.

"The noose has long represented a deplorable act of cowardice and depravity -- a symbol of extreme violence for African-Americans," museum director Lonnie Bunch said on Wednesday.

"Today's (Wednesday) incident is a painful reminder of the challenges that African Americans continue to face...We will continue to help bridge the chasm of race that has divided this nation since its inception," said Bunch.

The US Park Police were called to the museum and the noose, which had been found in an exhibition on segregation, was quickly removed afterwards, Xinhua news agency reported.

On May 26, a noose was found hanging from a tree outside the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, also on the National Mall.

The two incidents are now under investigation.