Founded in 1976, in celebration of America’s Bicentennial, the Afro-American Historical and Cultural Museum, now the African American Museum in Philadelphia (AAMP), became the first museum funded and built by a municipality to preserve, collect, and interpret the history of its African American citizens. The museum opened its doors to its first visitors on June 19, 1976. On opening day, some 6,000 people toured the museum, adding to the 4,000 visitors who had the opportunity to preview the space the evening before. On June 20, another 1,300 people lined the block around the museum, awaiting their turn to walk through the doors. Throughout its evolution, the Museum has objectively interpreted and presented the achievements and aspirations of African Americans from pre-colonial times to the current day.
Highlights of the institution’s early history include receiving the largest single grant at the time to an African American institution for exhibition purposes. In the 1980s, the museum began the “Share the Heritage” program, encouraging African Americans to search their attics and basements for family memorabilia. This helped contribute to the museum’s robust collection.
Within the collection, the museum houses diverse artifacts, including items from the First Baptist Church Cemetery unearthed during construction at 8th and Vine, the Pearl Bailey Collection, and the Jack T. Franklin Photograph Collection. The Pearl Bailey collection includes archival materials from Bailey’s life, including press photos, diplomatic communications between her and Queen Noor of Jordan, and more than100 scrapbooks made by Bailey herself. The collection presents a physical representation of Bailey’s life as a Tony Award-winning performer, U.N. Goodwill Ambassador, Philadelphia resident, and social justice advocate. The Jack T. Franklin Photograph Collection contains compelling images of some of the most important moments in Black history from the Philadelphia-born and raised photographer. Also in the collection is the Civic Center Collection, a grouping of African artifacts collected between the late 1800s and early 1900s from across the African continent — the items in AAMP’s collection help to inform the story of African Americans in Philadelphia.
AAMP also engages with its audience through varied programming and traveling exhibitions. Each year, the museum hosts programming for its big four events: MLK Day, Black History Month, Juneteenth, and Kwanzaa, often offering free admission and programming during each event. The African American Museum’s annual Juneteenth Block Party draws thousands each year to enjoy vendors, activities, and performances in celebration of emancipation.
The museum revised its mission statement in 2008, to emphasize the importance of youth programming and updated it again in 2015 as the museum stood at the threshold of a new era — re-imagining AAMP as a vibrant center of cultural and artistic activity. AAMP continues to evolve and adapt to the needs of its community.
Beyond its physical walls, the museum uses innovative ways to engage new audiences. AAMP continues to expand its online exhibitions and digital resources so that people across the nation and throughout the world can experience its exhibitions, and researchers can utilize AAMP’s collection.
The African American Museum in Philadelphia is a pillar of Philadelphia’s rich history and culture. The museum continues to make a meaningful impact on visitors’ lives as they experience the stories of people of African descent through art, history, and culture.
