Delve into the vibrant tapestry of African American history and culture through various institutions and events dedicated to its preservation and celebration. From music and art to historical narratives, these spaces offer transformative and educational experiences for all generations.
National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM)
The National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) is a global music destination providing a transformative, inspirational, and educational experience across generations. NMAAM is the only museum dedicated to educating and preserving music that was created, influenced, and inspired by African Americans.
Important Information for Visitors:
- The museum will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
- Each general admission ticket includes an RFID Interactive Wristband.
- Entrances to the museum are located on Broadway and Rep. John Lewis Way.
- Elevator access is located at the Rep. Lewis Way entrance.
- Convenient parking is available directly beneath the museum through a partnership with Metropolis, with a flat rate of $22.
Parking Options:
- PMI GARAGE | Across the street from the museum located on 815 E.
- PIER V PARKING GARAGE | Across the street from Ms. Shirley’s Restaurant located at 711 E.
Tickets can be validated at the Visitor Experience desk.
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The Museum is ADA accessible and can be accessed by visitors who use mobility aids. Visitors with hearing impairments may contact our Visitor Services Department at (443) 263-1875.
Senior Wednesdays at TKAAM
Senior Wednesdays at TKAAM offer engaging and enriching experiences for adults 55 and older. While the focus is on older adults, younger guests occasionally join in as well. For a full schedule and list of hosting venues, visit SeniorWednesday.org.
The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem is one of The New York Public Library’s renowned research libraries. The center is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a wide array of special events and exhibitions.
Exhibitions:
- 100: A Century of Collections, Community, and Creativity: This exhibition surrounds visitors with the sights, sounds, and objects that have shaped this historic institution’s first century.
- Guarionex: 100 Years of Celebrating Black Archival Resistance: Created by students in the Junior Scholars Program, this exhibition explores Afro-Surrealism through the lens of historical recovery and cultural resilience. It's on view at the Countee Cullen Library at 104 West 136th Street.
- Nellie Mae Rowe: Something From Nothing: Inspired by the premiere of a documentary film honoring the creative spirit of Nellie Mae Rowe.
Visiting Information:
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- The Schomburg Shop is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:45 AM to 5:45 PM.
- Guided group tours and class visits take place Monday-Friday from 10 AM through 3 PM.
- E-bikes, e-scooters, and electronic transportation devices are not permitted inside any NYPL location.
Programs and Resources:
- Consider applying to the Scholars-in-Residence Program if you are a postdoctoral scholar, independent researcher, or creative writer.
- Access the Centennial edition of Teaching with the Schomburg Center's Archives.
- Explore past online exhibitions such as Watercolors Amongst Friends and view past multimedia projects produced by students in our Junior Scholars Program.
- Explore a multi-part curriculum series that introduces middle and high school students to Black history, experience, and culture through our archives and collections.
Events:
- Big Plays in the Library Little Theater: Monday, November 10 | 6:30 PM
- Black on Screen: Movement Leaders and Everyday People: Tuesday, November 18 | 6:30 PM
- Black on Screen: Debt, Dependency, and City Stories: Tuesday, November 25 | 5:30 PM
Sign up for the bi-monthly e-newsletter, Schomburg Connection, to get updates on upcoming programs, exhibitions, research guides, blogs, and more!
The Schomburg Center advances knowledge of the global Black experience through dynamic programs and exhibitions. Access exhibitions, podcasts, videos, books, digital collections, and more about the global Black experience 24/7.
The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center
The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center is free to visit on Wednesdays. Free admission is also given to military personnel and first responders every day the Museum is open. Gold Star Family admission will be honored for up to four guests per visit. All Military Duty Personnel, all Branches, receives complimentary admission. Personnel must show ID or be in uniform. Active or Non-Active Duty Personnel/ POW’s (Illinois Residents); receives complimentary admission.
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Founded in 1961 by Dr. Margaret T. Burroughs, The DuSable Museum is the nation’s first museum devoted entirely to the history and culture of the African American community. As a member of The DuSable Museum, you become part of an ongoing narrative of Black Storytelling.
The DuSable Museum is ADA compliant. A limited number of wheelchairs are available on a first come, first served basis. Baby strollers are permitted throughout the facilities. Service animals are welcome.
Regular Museum Hours: Open Wed.-Sat.
In addition to presenting exhibitions that explore African American history, the museum offers a combination of live and online programming.
National Afro-American Museum & Cultural Center
The National Afro-American Museum & Cultural Center opened to the public in April 1988. The museum is the permanent home of one of the nation’s largest collections of Afro-American materials, with over 10,000 artifacts and artworks, 350 manuscript collections and thousands of photographs. The collections cover many aspects of history and culture, including African American art, historical documents of Black organizations, inventions, childhood memorabilia, sports, military history, and Civil Rights history.
Materials from the collections are essential components of the institution’s in-house exhibition schedule.
Current Exhibits:
- Rhythm of Revolution-The Transformative Power of Black Art 1619 to the Present: The exhibit maps the visual flow of artistic, cultural, social, and political change in America from 1619 to the present day.
- The Queens of the Heartland: The exhibit will feature the stories of 30 Ohio African American women who were a significant influence in the Suffrage and Civil Rights Movements.
- Explore the many ways that African Americans served our country in the military and on the home front during World War II.
- This exhibit presents the relationship between the aesthetic and cultural functions of African art objects and the historical context of their global influence.
Black Wall Street History Center
Join a presentation, “The Black Wall Street History Center: Understanding the Story of Greenwood”, by Dr. Using images from Greenwood Rising museum, Dr. Doswell will share the story of Greenwood, a once thriving African-American community near downtown Tulsa.
These institutions and events provide invaluable resources for understanding and appreciating the rich and complex history of African Americans. Whether through music, art, historical documents, or community narratives, they offer opportunities for education, reflection, and celebration.
