12 Museums Preserving Black History and Culture
At a time when the truth of Black history is being challenged, it’s more important than ever to support the institutions that preserve, protect, and elevate our stories.
Across the United States, Black-led museums are doing vital work—documenting the past, shaping the present, and inspiring the future.
Whether you’re planning a cultural trip or seeking ways to support from home, this list highlights institutions that deserve your attention and engagement.
National Treasures (U.S.-Based Museums)
National Museum of African American History and Culture – Washington, D.C.
Part of the Smithsonian Institution, this museum opened in 2016 and houses over 40,000 artifacts. It explores African American life, history, and culture through a wide lens—from slavery and the civil rights movement to art, politics, sports, and innovation.
The Legacy Museum & National Memorial for Peace and Justice – Montgomery, AL
Created by the Equal Justice Initiative, these institutions provide a powerful narrative on America’s history of racial injustice. The Legacy Museum traces the arc from enslavement to mass incarceration, while the National Memorial honors more than 4,000 documented victims of lynching.
DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center – Chicago, IL
Established in 1961, this is one of the nation’s oldest independent African American museums. It showcases historical collections and rotating exhibitions, highlighting Black achievements in politics, art, education, and social justice.
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History – Detroit, MI
Founded in 1965, this museum holds one of the world’s largest permanent collections of African American culture. Exhibitions cover African origins, Detroit’s Black history, and influential figures in science, music, and civil rights.
Mississippi Civil Rights Museum – Jackson, MS
Opened in 2017, this state-supported museum tells the story of the struggle for civil rights in Mississippi, a central battleground in American racial history. It includes interactive exhibits and oral histories documenting decades of grassroots organizing.
African American Museum in Philadelphia – Philadelphia, PA
Founded in 1976, this was the first institution funded and built by a major U.S. city to preserve, interpret, and exhibit the heritage of African Americans. It houses important archives and supports contemporary artists of African descent.
California African American Museum (CAAM) – Los Angeles, CA
Located in Exposition Park, CAAM was founded in 1977 and focuses on the cultural heritage of African Americans in California and the western United States. It offers visual art exhibitions, historical displays, and a range of public programs.
Reginald F. Lewis Museum – Baltimore, MD
As the largest African American museum in Maryland, it emphasizes regional Black history through exhibitions on entrepreneurship, education, and resistance. The museum is named after the first African American to build a billion-dollar company.
Louisiana Civil Rights Museum – New Orleans, LA
Launched in phases starting in 2022, this state museum is located inside the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. It spotlights Louisiana’s civil rights leaders, legal battles, and key events in the local fight for equality.
New Orleans African American Museum (NOAAM) – New Orleans, LA
Located in the historic Tremé neighborhood, NOAAM celebrates the contributions of African Americans to New Orleans’ cultural, political, and economic development. Housed in a former plantation-style home, the museum features rotating exhibitions, historic archives, and public programs centered on art, resistance, and community empowerment.
Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts (MoCADA) – Brooklyn, NY
Founded in 1999, MoCADA celebrates the cultural breadth of the African diaspora by connecting the intersectional experiences of Black people worldwide through art, education, and advocacy.
Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD) – San Francisco, CA
MoAD is a contemporary art museum that celebrates Black cultures, ignites challenging conversations, and inspires learning through the global lens of the African diaspora.
The Griot Museum of Black History – St. Louis, MO
Established in 1997, The Griot Museum of Black History features wax sculptures, art, and memorabilia highlighting Black history, with a focus on regional figures and events.
How to Support
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Visit: Prioritize these spaces when traveling or exploring your city.
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Donate: Many of these institutions are nonprofit and rely on public support.
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Share: Use your platform to introduce others to these vital institutions.
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Collaborate: Artists, curators, and cultural workers can build with these institutions through partnerships, commissions, or events.
by Tony O. Lawson
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