African American History at African American Museum of Philadelphia in Philadelphia, PA

The African-American Museum of Philadelphia was the first institution in the United States devoted to studying, preserving and celebrating African-American culture and heritage. The museum is dedicated to the exhibition of both historical and artistic artifacts and information, and has an impressive collection of permanent and rotating temporary exhibits. Well-known are the museum's annual Juneteenth celebration, which honors the end of slavery in June 1865, and the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. day of service, where members of the community who have MLK Day off in January are encouraged to volunteer with organizations that benefit underserved African-American populations in Philadelphia.

Workshops are often held in many cultural and historic aspects of Black America, including African dance, drum circles, storytelling and folktales, hip-hop musicology, the history of Jazz, and the evolution of the African-American freedom movement. Celebrate Africa! is also an ongoing series at the museum, where various African countries are profiled and their specific influence on America is described. The museum also offers many varied educational programs and camps for kids and youth groups. Please contact the museum directly for information on current events and admission prices.