African American Museum of Iowa facts for kids
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| Established | 1994 |
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| Location | 55 12th Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401 |
| Type | African American heritage |
The African American Museum of Iowa (AAMI) is located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It sits right by the Cedar River. This museum works to teach everyone about the rich history and culture of African American people in Iowa.
The AAMI started in 1993. It is now a top place for learning about African American history in Iowa. The museum has two main exhibits you can visit. One is a permanent exhibit called Endless Possibilities. The other is a temporary exhibit that changes every year.
The AAMI also has "traveling exhibits." These can be borrowed by schools, libraries, and businesses. This way, more people across Iowa can learn. Each year, over 30,000 people learn from the AAMI. They offer tours, fun educational programs, and special events.
Contents
Discovering the Museum's History
The African American Museum began in 1993. A small group from a church in Cedar Rapids started it. Their goal was to save and celebrate the history of African Americans in Iowa. This was done to honor Black History Month. The group formed a non-profit organization that same year.
In 1998, the museum hired its first full-time director. Then, in 2000, a temporary museum opened in a mall. Building a new, bigger museum began in April 2002. This new building was 17,000 square feet. It was built along the Cedar River.
The AAMI officially opened on September 19, 2003. Its first permanent exhibit was called Doorways: A History of African Americans in Iowa. The next year, a special fund was created to help the museum grow. A new part of the permanent exhibit also opened. It was about Africa.
Visitors could start in West Africa. They would pass through a "Door of No Return." Then, they would enter a model slave ship. This helped them imagine the difficult journey. This journey was called the Middle Passage. It was the trip from Africa to the United States.
In 2005, a bridge near the museum was renamed. It became the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Bridge. A public art piece called Trumpet was also placed on the museum grounds. It is near the Cedar River Trail.
The museum started chapters in eight Iowa communities in 2006. In 2007, the AAMI received a grant. This money helped them hire staff to work with these chapters. Later that year, they got another grant. This grant was for a statewide project. It was called Adult Voices–Children’s Eyes: Iowa's African American Oral History Project.
This project taught young people how to collect oral histories. They recorded important stories from their communities. This helped spark a love for history in African American youth.
The museum faced a big challenge in 2008. The Iowa flood of 2008 caused a lot of damage. The first floor of the museum was flooded with 5.5 feet of water. This area held the gift shop, rental hall, and both exhibits. Many artifacts were damaged. Repairs cost about $1.3 million.
On January 17, 2009, the AAMI reopened. It had new renovations and a new temporary exhibit. This exhibit was called No Roads Lead to Buxton. A new permanent exhibit, Endless Possibilities, opened on December 15, 2009. It uses photos, objects, and stories. It shows the journeys of African Americans in Iowa.
In spring 2023, the AAMI started a new renovation project. This $5 million project is happening because of updates to the flood control system in Cedar Rapids. The museum is close to the Cedar River. So, a new flood wall affects its entrance. The AAMI is using this chance to make other important changes inside and outside. They also want to raise an extra $1 million for their future.
Exploring Collections and Exhibits
The AAMI has a large collection. It includes over 2,000 artifacts. These are historical items. They also have 70 feet of archives. These are old documents and records. There are also 200 oral histories. These are recorded stories from people. The museum's library has over 1,000 books. These books are about African and African American topics.
Exhibit Galleries to Explore
The AAMI has two main exhibit galleries. One gallery holds Endless Possibilities. This permanent exhibit was installed in 2009. It shows the journey of African Americans in Iowa. It starts in Western Africa. It covers slavery, the American Civil War, and the Underground Railroad. It also includes the Civil Rights Movement. It shows struggles and achievements up to today.
The second gallery is the Gale Sayers Changing Exhibit Gallery. This gallery features at least one new temporary exhibit each year. In 2022-2023, the temporary exhibit was off-site. It was at the Cedar Rapids Public Library. This was because of the museum's renovation project. The exhibit was called Suspended: Systemic Oppression in Our Schools.
Past exhibits in the Gale Sayers Changing Exhibit Gallery include:
- Mapping Exclusion: Redlining in Iowa (2021-2022)
- Unwavering: 21st Century Activism (2020-2021)
- Untangling the Roots (2019-2020)
- Driven By Hope (2018-2019)
- If Objects Could Talk (2017-2018)
- Mightier Than the Sword (2016-2017)
- Products of a Creative Mind (2015–2016)
- Behind the Beat (2014–2015)
- Western Africa: Before the Boats (2013–2014)
- The Only One (2012)
Traveling Exhibits for Everyone
Besides its on-site exhibits, the AAMI offers several traveling exhibits. These exhibits can visit different places. They help share history with more people.
Some of these traveling exhibits are:
- Suspended: Systemic Oppression in Our Schools
- Behind the Beat
- Iowa Civil Rights
- Iowa Roots, Global Impact: The Life and Legacy of George Washington Carver
- No Roads Lead to Buxton
- The Only One
- Products of a Creative Mind
- Riding the Freedom Train: The Underground Railroad in Iowa
- Unconditional Loyalty: The Military Service of African Americans
- Western Africa: Before the Boats
Educational Programs and Events
After the Iowa Flood of 2008, the AAMI changed its main focus. It wanted to do more than just save history. It wanted to actively teach people about African American history. This includes people in Cedar Rapids and all over Iowa.
With this new focus, the AAMI has created many programs. They also work with other groups. These partnerships offer many chances to learn. They have annual Juneteenth events. They also offer workshops for all ages. There are lectures and programs for people across Iowa.
See also
