WASHINGTON, DC — A banner commemorating and celebrating freedom has been hung on the grounds of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC). On Monday evening, November 16, 2015, NMAAHC held a special ceremony outside the Smithsonian Institution’s newest museum, scheduled to open in fall 2016. Live performances and remarks from officials preceded a video display that was still projected onto the building’s facade. Under construction showcasing the ratification of the 13th Amendment, the end of the Civil War, and the passage of the Voting Rights Act. (Photo by: Cheriss May/NurPhoto) (Photo by: Cheriss May/NurPhoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Celebrating our undeniable brilliance, cultural contributions and outstanding fortitude is what ESSENCE has been doing for more than 50 years. It’s not just a (short) month of the year. There are lesser-known black history museums all over the United States. Some are large institutions with many wealthy patrons, while others are small and run primarily by local volunteers. No matter their size or financial situation, they each have much to offer, as the contributions of Black Americans have been painfully minimized. Even the most knowledgeable of us still have much to learn about the richly stratified Black American experience.
Be sure to save and share this story so that you can explore these museums for yourself the next time you visit these cities. Whether you go with family, friends, a partner, or on your own, expanding your knowledge about the unsung Black heroes and heroes who helped build this country and our culture as a whole will help your future self. It will be of eternal value to you.
Minnesota African American History Museum and Gallery
Minneapolis, Minnesota
This museum and gallery preserves the accomplishments and experiences of Minnesota’s African Americans through exhibitions, enhancement programs, and special events that educate and inform the public about the history, culture, and art of African Americans in the Midwest state. doing. https://www.maahmg.org/
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
Harlem, New York City
Schomburg, one of the prestigious research divisions of the New York Public Library, is a world-class cultural institution dedicated to the research, preservation, and exhibition of materials focused on African Americans, the African diaspora, and the African experience. . Additionally, the gift shop is illuminated.
https://www.nypl.org/locations/schomburg
Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts and Culture
charlotte, north carolina
Named after pioneering architect, politician, and activist Harvey B. Gantt, the center is located in the heart of the city’s business district known as Uptown and regularly features a variety of powerful exhibits. The aim of the event is to educate and enlighten, with events such as meetings, a variety of performances, and thought-provoking panel discussions. Celebrate the African American experience. https://www.ganttcenter.org/
International African American Museum
Charleston, South Carolina
The intentionality of this museum’s location alone makes it worth a visit. It is located on Gadsdens Pier, which was the first destination for an estimated 40 percent of all enslaved Africans at the height of the Atlantic slave trade. Once inside, visitors will be struck by the rich collection of stories of African Americans who have overcome trauma across generations, in a variety of mediums. https://iaamuseum.org/
Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Washington DC
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture is the only national museum dedicated solely to recording the life, history, and culture of African Americans. To date, the museum has collected more than 40,000 of his artifacts and has nearly 100,000 members. This museum has 105,000 square feet of exhibition space, which is twice the area of the White House.And yes you should that big. https://nmaahc.si.edu/
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
cincinnati, ohio
Rooted in the story of the subway, this center is located in the heart of downtown Cincinnati, just steps from the banks of the Ohio River. This same river served as a natural barrier between the slavery-enforcing southern states and the free northern states. Since opening in 2004, the Center has provided inspiring permanent and moving exhibits, public programs that encourage dialogue and action, and educational resources to equip today’s activists. https://freedomcenter.org/
New Orleans African American Museum
new orleans louisiana
Located in the historic Trem districtpicture Located in a section of New Orleans that by the 1850s was home to one of the nation’s largest, most prosperous, and politically progressive black communities, the museum’s mission is to preserve history and promote New Orleans’ African and to enhance the artistic and cultural contributions of American Americans. and the African diaspora. The museum also hosts a monthly market featuring local Black artisans. https://www.noaam.org/
Houston Museum of African American Culture
houston texas
The Houston Museum of African American Culture (HMAAC) explores stories inspired by themes of creativity, empowerment, and innovation through the lens of the African American experience. Great bonus: The Buffalo Soldiers National Museum (yes, the infamous Buffalo Soldiers were black) is within walking distance of his HMAAC. https://houmuse.org/visit/houston-museum-of-african-american-culture/
Colored Musicians Club & Jazz Museum
buffalo new york
Honored as a historic site in 1999, the club stands as the only remaining African American space of its kind in the United States. Once home to jazz legends such as Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis, this impressive venue not only functions as a club, but also as a living jazz history museum. https://www.thecolouredmusiciansclub.com/
California African American Museum
Los Angeles, California
The mission of the California African American Museum (CAAM) is to research, collect, preserve, and interpret African American history, art, and culture for the public enrichment, with an emphasis on California and the Western United States . Although currently closed for major storm-related repairs (as of this article’s original publication), CCAM plans to reopen soon. https://caamuseum.org/
National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Hotel
memphis tennessee
Located in the former Lorraine Hotel, the museum is in the same building where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968. The museum features interactive exhibits, rare collections, and special educational opportunities to immerse visitors in the civil rights movement. . https://www.civilrightsmuseum.org/
National Voting Rights Museum and Institute
Selma, Alabama
Located in the Black Belt town of Selma, Alabama, this building is located at the foot of the historic Edmund Pettus Bridge. The site of the brutal 1965 Bloody Sunday march for voting rights led by reformers John Lewis and the Rev. Hosea Williams. This museum and institute is a must-see for anyone with even the slightest interest in the amazing efforts made to ensure black people could vote fairly in America. http://nvrmi.com/