OPENING IN JANUARY 2023

International African American Museum Announces Opening DateAfter over 20 years of planning,
the museum will be welcoming
visitors the weekend of
January 21, 2023Learn MoreUpcoming EventsJoin the International African American Museum
for education and entertainment.Learn MoreWe Honor Former Mayor Riley’s Commitment and Service to the MuseumFormer Charleston
Mayor, Joseph P. Riley, Jr. embarks
on a new future with the Museum
as a lifetime board member,
"a landmark moment in a long journey."
We thank him for everything he has done.Learn MoreMy Untold Story

"Growing up in the Jim Crow South, Esau and Janie
were denied so many opportunities, and they were
determined to provide those very same opportunities
to the generations that followed them."
By Rev. DeMett E. JenkinsClick to Read NowMake a Plan
for Your LegacyIf taxes have you wondering about
your planned giving, we have some
information on how you can make
the Museum part of your legacy.Learn MoreGullah Geechee
Storyline
843-805-6806We're working together with the
Charleston County Public Library
to connect you with the stories
and culture of the
Gullah Geechee people.Click to Read NowTo honor the untold
stories of the African
American Journeyat one of our country's most sacred sites.STAY CONNECTEDPay Attention:
Imagery Has Always
Had InfluenceThe Weaponization of the African Image
and A Modern Attempt to Reclaim
By: Dr. Tonya M. MatthewsClick to Read Now

Center
for Family
History

Visit our online Learning Center
and access digital records
and programs

Learn MoreAfrican
Ancestors
Memorial
Garden

Learn More Previous Next

A Journey of Centuries

This museum is about a journey that began centuries ago in Africa, and still continues. It is about the journey of millions of Africans, captured and forced across the Atlantic in the grueling and inhumane Middle Passage, who arrived at Gadsden’s Wharf in Charleston, South Carolina and other ports in the Atlantic World. Their labor, resistance and ingenuity and that of their descendants shaped every aspect of our world.

History Comes Alive

The museum will sit on the shoulders of 18 strong columns. On the ground level, the African Ancestors Memorial Garden will highlight the original shoreline—the exact spot where so many captive Africans first set foot in America. There will be gardens for quiet contemplation, as well as space for performances and programs.

In the Museum

The museum’s exhibitions will share untold stories using classic techniques as well as new approaches driven by innovation, technology and digital interactivity. Themes will include connections across the African diaspora, the spread of African American culture and influence, and the movements for justice and equality. The Center for Family History will enable visitors to trace their genealogy, while changing exhibitions and special events will keep the museum energized. Educational programs will provide life-long learning opportunities for visitors both young and old.

The museum strives to foster empathy and understanding, empowering visitors with the knowledge of the past. The journey will challenge, illuminate, inspire and ultimately, will move people to action.