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Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Reginald F. Lewis Museum
Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture Logo.png
Established 2005
Location 830 East Pratt Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
United States

The Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture is a special place in Baltimore, Maryland. It helps everyone learn about the history and lives of African Americans in Maryland. The museum works to gather, save, understand, and show important items and stories. It has over 11,000 documents and objects that tell these amazing stories.

Reginald F. Lewis Museum Living History Tour
Reginald F. Lewis Museum Living History Tour

This large museum, about 82,000 square feet, opened in 2005. You can find it close to Baltimore's Inner Harbor. It is named after Reginald Lewis, a very successful businessman. He was the first African American to build a company worth a billion dollars. Reginald Lewis grew up in Baltimore. By 1993, he was among the richest people in America.

What Can You See at the Museum?

The museum has many interesting things to explore. It features permanent exhibits that are always there for visitors. These exhibits help you understand important parts of history.

Main Exhibits to Explore

Some of the main exhibits include:

  • "The Strength of the Mind": This exhibit explores the power of ideas and learning.
  • "Things Hold, Lines Connect": This section shows how different parts of history are linked together.
  • "Building Maryland, Building America": This exhibit highlights the contributions of African Americans to both Maryland and the United States.

Special Art Shows and More

The museum also hosts special art shows. These shows feature the work of famous artists. For example, past shows have included art by Jacob Lawrence and Romare Bearden.

Besides the exhibits, the museum has other cool features:

  • A studio where you can record or listen to oral histories. These are stories told by people about their lives.
  • A special gallery for temporary exhibits that change often.
  • A large theater that seats 200 people for events and presentations.
  • A classroom and a resource center for learning and research.

See also