List of museums focused on African Americans facts for kids
African American museums are special places in the United States. Their main goal is to focus on the rich culture and history of African Americans. Think of them as treasure chests that keep important stories and items safe.
According to a scholar named Raymond Doswell, an African American museum is a place created to protect culture that comes from African roots. These museums collect and save historical items. They also share these items with the public through exhibitions. This helps everyone learn about the past. Unlike research libraries or historical societies, museums are usually open to everyone with regular hours.
History of African American Museums in the U.S.
.jpg)
The very first African American museum was the College Museum. It opened in Hampton, Virginia, way back in 1868. Before 1950, there were about 30 such museums. Many of these were found at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). They were also at libraries with big collections of African American history.
Some important collections grew at places like Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, and Howard University in Washington, D.C.. Local groups also helped collect and show cultural items. These groups included historical societies and reading clubs in African American communities.
The first independent museums started later. These were not part of colleges or libraries. They included The African American Museum in Cleveland, Ohio (1956), and the DuSable Museum of African American History in Chicago, Illinois (1960). The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit, Michigan, opened in 1965.
The American Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s sparked a lot of energy. This led to many more local African American museums being created. Between 1868 and 1991, about 150 such museums were started across 37 states.
Today, the largest African American museum is the National Museum of African American History and Culture. It is part of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. This museum opened its doors in 2016.
List of Museums
This is a sortable table. Click on the column you wish it sorted by.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
See also
- African American Museum (disambiguation)
- African-American Heritage Sites
- Museums of the African diaspora
