North American African-American Museums

African-American museums play a crucial role in preserving and celebrating the rich history, culture, and contributions of African-Americans to society. These institutions serve as custodians of heritage, offering profound insights into the African-American experience through exhibitions, educational programs, and cultural events. They document the struggles and triumphs of African-Americans, from the era of slavery and the Civil Rights Movement to contemporary achievements. By highlighting narratives often marginalized in mainstream history, these museums foster understanding and dialogue about racial equality and justice. They also provide a platform for African-American artists, historians, and cultural leaders to share their work and stories. Importantly, these museums educate the public, promote cultural appreciation, and inspire future generations to recognize and honor the diverse contributions to the nation’s social and cultural fabric. Through their work, African-American museums contribute to a more inclusive historical narrative and promote healing and reconciliation in communities.

Alabama:

• The National Voting Rights Museum and Institute, Selma
  • Theme: Dedicated to the struggle for voting rights in the United States, with a focus on civil rights history, particularly events like “Bloody Sunday” during the Selma to Montgomery marches.
  • Location: 6 U.S. 80 Business, Selma, AL, United States.
  • Phone: (334) 526-4340
  • Admission Costs: $6.50 for adults and $4.50 for students and seniors (55 and over).
  • Operating Hours: Typically open Monday through Thursday from 10:00 AM.
  • For more information, you can visit their official website.

Alaska:

• University of Alaska’s Consortium Library
  • Theme: Archival materials related to African American history in Alaska, serving as a resource for historical research and learning.
  • Location: University of Alaska, Anchorage.
  • For more information, you can visit their archival guide.

Arizona:

• George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center, Phoenix
  • Theme: Celebrating and preserving African American culture and history, particularly in the context of the local community and its contributions.
  • Location: 415 E. Grant Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004
  • Operating Hours: Office Hours: Monday-Thursday, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM; Friday, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
  • For more information, you can visit the official website.

Arkansas:

• Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, Little Rock
  • Theme: Focused on the history, culture, and contributions of African Americans in Arkansas, especially through the lens of the Mosaic Templars of America, a historically significant black fraternal organization.
  • Location: Little Rock, Arkansas
  • Phone: Not specified in the available information
  • Admission Costs: Not specified in the available information
  • Operating Hours: Not specified in the available information
  • For more information, you can visit the Arkansas Heritage website.

California:

• California African American Museum, Los Angeles

  • Theme: Showcasing the art, history, and culture of African Americans with an emphasis on the state’s contributions and experiences as part of the larger diaspora.
  • Location: 600 State Drive, Exposition Park, Los Angeles, CA 90037
  • Admission Costs: Free
  • Operating Hours: Tuesday-Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Sunday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

• Museum of the African Diaspora, San Francisco

  • Theme: Exploring the art, culture, and history of the African Diaspora, connecting past, present, and future narratives of people of African descent.
  • Location: San Francisco, California
  • Phone: Not specified in the available information
  • Admission Costs: Not specified in the available information
  • Operating Hours: Not specified in the available information
  • For more information, you can visit the official website.

Colorado:

• Black American West Museum, Denver
  • Theme: Highlighting the role of African Americans in the settlement and development of the Western United States, focusing on cowboys, ranchers, and town builders.
  • Location: 3091 California Street, Denver, CO 80205
  • Phone: Information not specified
  • Admission Costs: Information not specified
  • Operating Hours: Information not specified
  • For more information, you can visit the official website.

Connecticut:

• Prudence Crandall Museum, Canterbury
  • Theme: Celebrating the legacy of Prudence Crandall, who championed education for African American women in the 19th century, and her contributions to civil rights.
  • Location: Junction of Connecticut Routes 14 and 169, Canterbury, CT
  • Phone: Information not specified
  • Admission Costs: Information not specified
  • Operating Hours: Information not specified
  • For more information, you can visit the official website.

Delaware:

• Mitchell Center for African American Heritage, Wilmington
  • Theme: Focusing on African American history and culture in Delaware, highlighting significant events, individuals, and contributions in the region.
  • Location: 504 Market Street, Wilmington, DE
  • Phone: Information not specified
  • Admission Costs: Information not specified
  • Operating Hours: Information not specified
  • For more information, you can visit the Delaware Historical website.

Florida:

• African-American Research Library and Cultural Center, Fort Lauderdale

  • Theme: Serving as a resource for African American literature, history, and culture, providing educational and cultural programming to the community.
  • Location: 2650 Sistrunk Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311
  • Phone: Information not specified
  • Admission Costs: Information not specified
  • Operating Hours: Information not specified
  • For more information, you can visit the Broward County Library page.

• Old Dillard Museum, Fort Lauderdale

  • Theme: Preserving and promoting the history and legacy of African Americans in Fort Lauderdale, particularly through the lens of the historic Dillard High School.
  • Location: 1009 NW 4th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311
  • Phone: Information not specified
  • Admission Costs: Information not specified
  • Operating Hours: Information not specified
  • For more information, you can visit the Broward Schools page.

• The Blanchard House Museum, Punta Gorda

  • Theme: Showcasing African American history in Southwest Florida, focusing on local stories and historical events, currently closed due to hurricane damage.
  • Location: 406 Martin Luther King Blvd, Punta Gorda, FL
  • Phone: Information not specified
  • Admission Costs: Information not specified
  • Operating Hours: Temporarily closed due to hurricane damage
  • For more information, you can visit the official website.

• LaVilla Museum, Jacksonville

  • Theme: Celebrating the cultural and historical significance of the LaVilla neighborhood, known as a center for African American culture and business.
  • Location: 829 N Davis St, Jacksonville, FL 32202
  • Phone: Information not specified
  • Admission Costs: Information not specified
  • Operating Hours: Information not specified
  • For more information, you can refer to their Wikipedia page.

Georgia:

• The National Center for Civil and Human Rights, Atlanta

  • Theme: Dedicated to exploring civil and human rights issues globally, with a focus on the American Civil Rights Movement and contemporary human rights challenges.
  • Location: 100 Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
  • Phone: Information not specified
  • Admission Costs: Information not specified
  • Operating Hours: Information not specified
  • For more information, you can visit the official website.

• Apex Museum, Atlanta

  • Location: 135 Auburn Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Phone: Information not specified
  • Admission Costs: Information not specified
  • Operating Hours: Tuesday – Saturday
  • For more information, you can visit the official website.

Hawaii:

• Obama Hawaiian Africana Museum, Honolulu
  • Theme: Celebrating the African heritage and African American influences in Hawaii, including significant figures like President Barack Obama.
  • Location: 1311 Kapiolani Boulevard, Suite 203, Honolulu, HI 96814
  • Phone: 808-597-1341
  • Admission Costs: Information not specified
  • Operating Hours: Information not specified
  • For more information, you can visit the official website.

Idaho:

• Idaho Black History Museum, Boise
  • Theme: Dedicated to preserving and promoting the history and culture of African Americans in Idaho, exploring local narratives and contributions.
  • Location: 508 Julia Davis Drive, Boise, ID 83702
  • Phone: Information not specified
  • Admission Costs: Information not specified
  • Operating Hours: Information not specified
  • For more information, you can visit the official website.

Illinois:

• Pullman Porter Museum, Chicago

  • Theme: Focused on the history of the Pullman Porters and their contribution to the labor movement and civil rights, highlighting African American heritage in the railway industry.
  • Location: 817 E. 104th Street, Chicago, IL 60628
  • Phone: Information not specified
  • Admission Costs: Information not specified
  • Operating Hours: Temporarily closed
  • For more information, you can visit the official website.

• DuSable Museum of African American History, Chicago

  • Theme: Celebrating and educating about African American history and culture, with a focus on Chicago’s significant historical figures and events.
  • Location: 740 E 56th Pl, Chicago, IL 60637
  • Phone: Information not specified
  • Admission Costs: Information not specified
  • Operating Hours: Information not specified
  • For more information, you can visit the official website.

Indiana:

• Freetown Village
  • Theme: A living history museum that recreates African American life in Indiana during the late 19th century, focusing on education and cultural experiences.
  • Location: Information not specified
  • Phone: Information not specified
  • Admission Costs: Information not specified
  • Operating Hours: Information not specified
  • For more information, you can visit Freetown Village’s website.

Iowa:

• African American Museum of Iowa, Cedar Rapids
  • Theme: Dedicated to preserving, exhibiting, and teaching the African American history of Iowa, exploring contributions and stories across the state.
  • Location: 55 12th Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
  • Phone: Information not specified
  • Admission Costs: Information not specified
  • Operating Hours: Information not specified
  • For more information, you can visit the official website.

Kansas:

• The Kansas African American Museum, Wichita
  • Theme: Focused on the cultural heritage and significant contributions of African Americans in Kansas, aiming to educate and enrich community understanding.
  • Location: 201 North Main, Wichita, KS
  • Phone: Information not specified
  • Admission Costs: Information not specified
  • Operating Hours: Information not specified
  • For more information, you can visit the official website.

Kentucky:

• Kentucky Center for African American Heritage, Louisville
  • Theme: Celebrates and promotes the cultural contributions of African Americans in Kentucky, providing a hub for cultural education and events.
  • Location: 1701 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd, Louisville, KY 40203
  • Phone: (502) 583-4100
  • Admission Costs: Information not specified
  • Operating Hours: Mon-Fri: 10 am – 4 pm
  • For more information, you can visit the official website.

Louisiana:

• Whitney Plantation, Wallace

  • Theme: A unique museum dedicated to telling the stories of enslaved people in Louisiana, focusing on the history and legacy of slavery in the United States.
  • Location: Wallace, LA
  • Phone: Information not specified
  • Admission Costs: Information not specified
  • Operating Hours: Information not specified
  • For more information, you can visit the official website.

• New Orleans African American Museum, New Orleans

  • Theme: Celebrates the rich cultural heritage and historical contributions of African Americans in New Orleans, particularly in the Treme neighborhood.
  • Location: Treme, New Orleans, LA
  • Phone: Information not specified
  • Admission Costs: Information not specified
  • Operating Hours: Information not specified
  • For more information, you can visit the official website.

Maine:

• Abyssinian Meeting House, Portland
  • Theme: The third oldest African American meeting house in the United States, focusing on its historical role in the abolitionist movement and community gatherings.
  • Location: 73–75 Newbury Street, Portland, ME
  • Phone: Information not specified
  • Admission Costs: Information not specified
  • Operating Hours: Information not specified
  • For more information, you can visit the official website.

Maryland:

• Reginald F. Lewis Museum, Baltimore

  • Theme: Focused on the history and culture of African Americans in Maryland, showcasing significant contributions and local history.
  • Location: Baltimore, MD
  • Phone: Information not specified
  • Admission Costs: Information not specified
  • Operating Hours: Information not specified
  • For more information, you can visit the official website.

• Howard County Center of African American Culture, Columbia

  • Theme: Preserving and presenting the cultural and historical contributions of African Americans in Howard County, Maryland.
  • Location: Columbia, MD
  • Phone: Information not specified
  • Admission Costs: Information not specified
  • Operating Hours: Information not specified
  • For more information, you can visit the official website.

Massachusetts:

• Museum of African American History, Boston
  • Theme: Celebrating the history and contributions of African Americans in New England, with a focus on significant historical sites and figures.
  • Location: Boston, MA
  • Phone: Information not specified
  • Admission Costs: Information not specified
  • Operating Hours: Information not specified
  • For more information, you can visit the official website.

Michigan:

• Tuskegee Airmen National Historical Museum, Detroit

  • Theme: Dedicated to the history and legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen, the first African American military aviators in the U.S. Army Air Corps.
  • Location: Detroit, MI
  • Phone: Information not specified
  • Admission Costs: Information not specified
  • Operating Hours: Information not specified
  • For more information, you can visit the official website.

• The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, Detroit

  • Theme: One of the largest African American history museums, focusing on the history, culture, and achievements of African Americans.
  • Location: 315 E Warren Ave, Detroit, MI
  • Phone: Information not specified
  • Admission Costs: Information not specified
  • Operating Hours: Information not specified
  • For more information, you can visit the official website.

Minnesota:

• Minnesota African American Heritage Museum & Gallery, Minneapolis
  • Theme: Dedicated to documenting and highlighting the history, art, and culture of African Americans in Minnesota, offering free admission to the public.
  • Location: Minneapolis, MN
  • Phone: Information not specified
  • Admission Costs: Free admission
  • Operating Hours: Information not specified
  • For more information, you can visit the official website.

Mississippi:

• Mississippi Civil Rights Museum and Museum of Mississippi History, Jackson
  • Theme: Exploring the history of the Civil Rights Movement in Mississippi and the broader history of the state, focusing on pivotal events and figures.
  • Location: 222 North Street, Jackson, MS
  • Phone: Information not specified
  • Admission Costs: Information not specified
  • Operating Hours: Tuesday–Saturday 9AM–5PM, Sunday 11AM–5PM
  • For more information, you can visit the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum website.

Missouri:

• The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, Kansas City
  • Theme: Dedicated to preserving the history of African American baseball and its impact on the social advancement of America.
  • Location: 1616 E 18th St, Kansas City, MO
  • Phone: Information not specified
  • Admission Costs: Information not specified
  • Operating Hours: Information not specified
  • For more information, you can visit the official website.

Montana:

• Montana African American Heritage Resources Project
  • Theme: An online project detailing African American heritage in Montana, focusing on historical research and documentation.
  • For more information, you can visit the Montana Historical Society page.

Nebraska:

• Great Plains Black History Museum, Omaha
  • Theme: Focuses on the history and contributions of African Americans in the Great Plains region, preserving and exhibiting their cultural heritage.
  • Location: Information not specified
  • Phone: Information not specified
  • Admission Costs: Information not specified
  • Operating Hours: Information not specified
  • Further inquiries can be addressed by contacting local directories or official listings.

Nevada:

• The Walker African American Museum & Research Center, Las Vegas
  • Theme: Originally dedicated to preserving the history and culture of African Americans in Las Vegas and beyond, closed in 2017 due to water damage with plans to reopen in the future.
  • Status: Closed in 2017 due to water damage, with plans to reopen in the future.

New Hampshire:

• Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire, Portsmouth
  • Theme: A walking trail that highlights the history and contributions of African Americans in New Hampshire, providing historical markers and educational resources.

New Jersey:

• Afro-American Historical Society Museum, Jersey City
  • Theme: Dedicated to preserving and promoting the history and culture of African Americans in Jersey City and the larger New Jersey area.
  • Location: Jersey City, NJ
  • Phone: Information not specified
  • Admission Costs: Information not specified
  • Operating Hours: Information not specified

New Mexico:

• African American Museum and Cultural Center of New Mexico, Albuquerque
  • Theme: Focuses on the cultural heritage and contributions of African Americans in New Mexico, offering exhibitions and educational programs.
  • Location: Albuquerque, NM
  • Phone: Information not specified
  • Admission Costs: Information not specified
  • Operating Hours: Information not specified

New York:

• Studio Museum Harlem, New York City

  • Theme: Dedicated to showcasing and supporting artists of African descent, focusing on visual arts and cultural projects.
  • Location: Harlem, NY

• African Burial Ground National Monument and Visitor Center, New York City

  • Theme: Commemorates the history and heritage of free and enslaved Africans in New York City, serving as an educational and memorial site.

North Carolina:

• International Civil Rights Center and Museum, Greensboro
  • Theme: Dedicated to the history of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States, focusing on key events and figures in Greensboro and beyond.
  • Location: Greensboro, NC
  • Phone: Information not specified
  • Admission Costs: Information not specified
  • Operating Hours: Information not specified

Ohio:

• National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Cincinnati

  • Theme: Focused on preserving the history of the Underground Railroad and the struggle for freedom, offering exhibitions and educational programming.

• The Cleveland African American Museum, Cleveland

  • Theme: Dedicated to the history and cultural contributions of African Americans in Cleveland and the broader Ohio region.
  • Location: Cleveland, OH
  • Phone: Information not specified
  • Admission Costs: Information not specified
  • Operating Hours: Information not specified

Oklahoma:

• Oklahoma Black Museum & Performing Arts Center, Oklahoma City
  • Theme: Focuses on the artistic and cultural contributions of African Americans in Oklahoma, hosting performances and exhibitions.
  • Location: Oklahoma, OK
  • Phone: Information not specified
  • Admission Costs: Information not specified
  • Operating Hours: Information not specified

Oregon:

• Oregon Black Pioneers, Salem
  • Theme: Dedicated to documenting and sharing the experiences and contributions of African Americans in Oregon through historical research and public programming.

Pennsylvania:

• African American Museum, Philadelphia
  • Theme: Focuses on the history, culture, and artistic achievements of African Americans, particularly in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas.
  • Location: Philadelphia, PA
  • Phone: Information not specified
  • Admission Costs: Information not specified
  • Operating Hours: Information not specified

Rhode Island:

• Stages of Freedom, Providence
  • Theme: Provides programming, exhibitions, and resources related to African American history, aiming to educate and enrich the community.

South Carolina:

• Old Slave Mart Museum, Charleston
  • Theme: Dedicated to the history of Charleston’s slave trade, focusing on the stories and experiences of those who were enslaved.
  • Location: Charleston, SC
  • Phone: Information not specified
  • Admission Costs: Information not specified
  • Operating Hours: Information not specified

South Dakota:

• South Dakota African American History Museum, Sioux Falls
  • Theme: Highlights the contributions and history of African Americans in South Dakota, aiming to educate the public about their impact on the state’s cultural heritage.
  • Location: Sioux Falls, SD
  • Phone: Information not specified
  • Admission Costs: Information not specified
  • Operating Hours: Information not specified

Tennessee:

• National Museum of African American Music, Nashville

  • Theme: Celebrating the contributions of African Americans to music, showcasing diverse genres and influential artists.

• National Civil Rights Museum, Memphis

  • Theme: Focused on the history of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States, located at the historic site of the Lorraine Motel.

• Withers Collection Museum and Gallery, Memphis

  • Theme: Celebrates the photographic legacy of Ernest Withers, highlighting key moments in civil rights history and African American culture.

• Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum, Memphis

  • Theme: Offers insight into the operations of the Underground Railroad, providing historical context and personal stories of those who sought freedom.

• Green McAdoo Cultural Center, Clinton

  • Theme: Commemorates the history of the Clinton 12 and the integration of Tennessee’s first public school, focusing on the struggle for educational equality.

Texas:

• The Buffalo Soldiers Museum, Houston

  • Theme: Highlights the history and contributions of African American soldiers in the U.S. Army, known as Buffalo Soldiers.

• African American Museum of Dallas

  • Theme: Dedicated to the preservation and display of African American artistic, cultural, and historical materials, offering a variety of exhibitions and programs.

• Houston Museum of African American Culture

  • Theme: Focuses on cultural diversity and inclusivity, showcasing African American art, history, and community narratives.

Utah:

• Utah Black History Museum
  • Theme: Focuses on the history and contributions of African Americans in Utah, providing educational resources and exhibitions.

Vermont:

• Rokeby Museum, Ferrisburgh
  • Theme: A historic site with exhibits on the Underground Railroad, highlighting the legacy of abolitionist family history.
  • Location: 4334 Route 7, Ferrisburgh, VT 05456
  • Phone: 802.877.3406
  • Admission Costs: Adults: $5, Students & Seniors: $4, Members: Free. “Pay what you can” option available on Tuesday afternoons from 1–5 pm.
  • Operating Hours: The museum is currently closed for the season and will reopen on May 10, 2025. Guided tours are available Wednesday through Monday at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm, with no tours on Tuesdays.
  • Current Exhibitions: “Seeking Freedom: The Underground Railroad and the Legacy of an Abolitionist Family.”
  • For more details on their exhibitions, programs, or to plan a future visit, you can check their official website or contact them directly.

Virginia:

• Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia, Richmond
  • Theme: Focuses on the rich history and significant contributions of African Americans in Virginia, offering exhibitions and educational programs.

Washington State:

• The Northwest African American Museum (NAAM), Seattle
  • Theme: Explores African American art, culture, and history, featuring exhibitions like “Freedom of Expression” and “The Colors of Life: African American Quilts.”
  • Location: 2300 South Massachusetts Street, Seattle, WA 98144
  • Phone: 206.518.6000
  • Admission Costs: Information not specified on the website; it is recommended to contact the museum directly for current pricing.
  • Operating Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: Closed; Thursday to Sunday: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
  • For more detailed information about these exhibitions, including special events and educational programs, you can visit the official NAAM exhibitions page.

Washington D.C.:

• National Museum of African American History and Culture
  • Theme: Chronicles the African American experience, focusing on history, culture, and community, featuring comprehensive exhibitions and collections.

West Virginia:

• Black Voices Museum, Harpers Ferry
  • Theme: Preserves and interprets African American history with a focus on Harpers Ferry’s role in significant historical events.

Wisconsin:

• Wisconsin Black Historical Society/Museum, Milwaukee
  • Theme: Dedicated to documenting and preserving the history of African Americans in Wisconsin, highlighting community contributions and experiences.
• Milton House Museum, Milton
  • Theme: Features exhibits on the Underground Railroad, focusing on Milton’s role in providing safe passage for escaped slaves.

Wyoming:

• Wyoming State Museum
  • Theme: Includes traveling exhibits like “Empire: A Community of African-Americans on the Wyoming Plains,” highlighting Black homesteaders and their legacy.

For a complete list or any additional information on specific topics, please reach out to official museum guides or visit their respective websites