Afro-American Historical and Cultural Society Museum facts for kids
The Afro-American Historical and Cultural Society Museum is a special place. It is located on the top floor of the Greenville Library in Jersey City, New Jersey. This museum is all about the African American experience. It helps everyone learn about the history and culture of Black people.
The museum has different areas for visitors. You can see special exhibits and a permanent collection. This collection includes everyday objects from African Americans in New Jersey. It also has artifacts from Africa. You can find books, old newspapers, and photos. The museum shares information about the slave trade in New Jersey. It also covers the Underground Railroad, which helped enslaved people find freedom.
You can also see a model of a 1930s kitchen. The museum teaches about the Pullman Porters, who were Black railway workers. They formed an important labor union. You can learn about the Civil Rights Movement and the NAACP in New Jersey. The museum also has details about historic African American churches. Plus, you can explore family history records.
The museum collects and saves the history of Jersey City's Black community. This includes the first Black residents from the 1600s. It also highlights the city's role in the Underground Railroad. The museum shares stories about the Civil Rights Movement. This includes visits from Martin Luther King Jr..
History of the Museum
The museum started in the 1970s. It began as a "grass-roots committee." This means it was started by local people who wanted to make a difference. Captain Thomas Taylor helped create it. He was the president of the local National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Theodore Brunson, a historian, also helped. Mrs. Nora Fant, a community activist, and Mrs. Virginia Dunnaway, a teacher, were also key founders.
Later, the group became a non-profit organization. This means it works for a good cause, not to make money. In 1984, the museum found its current home. The library's leaders gave them the space. Glenn Dale Cunningham was the only African American mayor of Jersey City. During his time as mayor, he helped bring attention to this important museum.
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