The Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum (SSAAM) is a history museum located in the Skillman section of Montgomery Township, New Jersey, United States. SSAAM is located in Skillman, NJ at Mt. Zion AME Church and The Reasoner/True House, two historically African American-owned properties in Skillman, New Jersey. As of December 2021, the museum was still under development.
SSAAM was founded in 2016 with headquarters at Mt. Zion AME Church. The Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum was founded in 2016, born from decades’ worth of research conducted by its co-founders Beverly Mills and Elaine Buck. The historic church was listed to the New Jersey State Register of Historic Places in 2018 and the National Register of Historic Places in 2021.
Mission and Vision
The mission of the Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum (SSAAM) is to tell the story of the unique culture, experiences, and contributions of the African American community of the Sourland Mountain Region. Our mission is to foster a broader understanding of the untold parts of American history. We offer programming and spaces where our community comes together to understand and create solutions to repair the harm caused by American slavery.
SSAAM offers a truthful and more inclusive sharing of the history and contributions of the founding African American families of the Sourland region of Central New Jersey since the time of New Jersey's participation in the transatlantic slave trade. Our hope is that visitors will find the museum to be a sanctuary alive in history and inspired by our shared future.
What SSAAM Offers
We present exhibits, lectures, and cultural programming throughout the year. Our work gives voice to individuals who were relegated to the margins, by unearthing, preserving, and sharing their stories with the broader community.
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At SSAAM, we are proud to have a team that reflects the rich tapestry of the African American experience and embraces a wide spectrum of backgrounds, perspectives, and talents. Our diverse team is the heart and soul of our institution, and their collective dedication and passion drive our mission forward. Our strength lies in our diversity.
Historical Significance
A Community Engaged in a Broader Understanding of American History Located at the National Historic Register-listed Mt. Zion AME Church.
From the 19th century until the 1930s, the Mt. Zion AME Church organized "camp meetings" each summer to benefit the local community.
Archaeological Dig
In December 2020, SSAAM partnered with the Archaeological Society of New Jersey to conduct an archaeological dig at the site of the Mt. Zion AME Church.
The Excavation Process: How We Excavate
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