The African American Museum in Cleveland facts for kids
The African American Museum in Cleveland
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| Established | April 1953 |
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| Location | Cleveland, Ohio, United States |
| Type | African-American museum |
| Collections | African-American history and culture |
The African American Museum in Cleveland, Ohio is a special place. It was started in 1953 by a man named Icabod Flewellen. The museum helps young people learn about the amazing things black people have done around the world. It also works to correct wrong ideas about black people. The museum is located in an old Carnegie Library building, which is over 100 years old!
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How the Museum Started
The African American Museum in Cleveland was founded by Icabod Flewellen in 1953. It was the very first independent museum in America focused on African American history. Icabod Flewellen lived in East Cleveland for a long time. He was known for his huge collection of historical items about African Americans.
When he was just 13, Icabod started collecting newspaper clippings about black American history. He was inspired by a writer named J. A. Rogers. Sadly, Icabod's first collection was destroyed in a fire at his home in West Virginia. This happened after he came back from serving in the military.
After the fire, Flewellen moved to Cleveland, Ohio in 1949. He started collecting materials all over again. In 1953, he opened his second African American Museum. It was first called the Afro-American Historical and Cultural Society. He gathered many items by visiting neighbors and asking about their family stories. One collection still at the museum today is from Cleveland's "Parade of Progress" in 1964.
What the Museum Does
The African American Museum, which used to be called the Afro-American Cultural & Historical Society Museum, opened in April 1953. It is located at 1765 Crawford Rd. in Cleveland. This museum is a non-profit group that teaches people about the achievements of African Americans.
Icabod Flewellen believed everyone should see the great things people from Africa and those of African descent have done. At first, his collection was kept at his home. In 1968, it moved to a classroom at St. Marian’s School. By May 1973, the collection had more than 200,000 items! It then moved to 1839 E. 81st St.
In February 1983, the Cleveland Public Library (CPL) let Flewellen use their Treasure House building on Crawford Rd. CPL gave the museum full control of the building in September 1984. In 1987, the museum building was renamed the Icabod Flewellen building.
How the Museum Gets Support
Icabod Flewellen worked other jobs to help pay for the museum. As more people became interested in black history, the museum started getting grants. These were special funds for projects. For example, in 1970, the Cleveland Foundation gave $10,000 to help organize his collection.
The Ohio Humanities Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities also helped. In 1983, the museum received $50,000 to give talks to schoolchildren and community groups. In 1992, the museum got more grants from the Cleveland and Gund Foundations.
The Museum Today
The museum has been closed since 2005. This was because of problems with the building and not enough money. As of 2010, it opens only on certain days. The museum is working hard to raise money so it can fully reopen. Its main goal will stay the same: to keep, share, and teach everyone about the important things people of African descent have given to the world.
For many years, the museum has taught the Cleveland community about black history. It has also hosted events that celebrate African Americans.
Cool Exhibits to See
The museum has several interesting exhibits, including:
- African Past and Present
- Civil Movements in America
- Reflections of Black Life in Cleveland
- Black Scientists and Inventors (This exhibit received support from NASA!)
- The African Solar Village Outreach Project
The museum worked with Green Energy Ohio to create an exhibit about using solar power in African villages. They even put a solar panel on the museum's roof! The parts of this system are in a clear display case, so visitors can see how it works. The African Solar Village Outreach Project wants to find fun ways to teach science and math, especially about solar energy. This exhibit and other tours help visitors understand how science and culture are connected in unique ways.
See also
