Afro-American Historical & Cultural Museum

701 Arch St.
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 574-0380
Internet

Opened in 1976, the Afro-American Historical and Cultural Museum is the first major museum in the country devoted specifically to African-American history and traditions.

Focusing primarily on 20th century African-American contributions to Pennsylvania and the Delaware Valley, the Museum's collections include some 450,000 items divided into several major categories.

• Fine Arts include prints, paintings, sculpture, and works such as Romare Bearden's tapestry Captivity and Renaissance.
• The Photography Collection includes many photos made by Jack T. Franklin and other masters.
• The Archives contain an enormous amount of material, but are especially strong in objects representing African Americans and the performing arts, sports, Philadelphia, and the military.

The Museum presents a wonderful array of changing exhibits, drawing mostly from its collections and featuring the best in African-American art. Past shows have featured the works of artists such as Jacob Lawrence, Romare Bearden, and Palmer Hayden.As well as first class exhibitions, the Museum sponsors a variety of family events, workshops, films, tours, symposiums, and concerts relating to African-American culture and history. The Jazz Live concert series has hosted some of the world's greatest musicians, including Max Roach, Dizzy Gillespie, Art Blakey, Betty Carter, Sun Ra and his Arkestra, and many others. Call for a current calendar.Groups are welcome, as are individuals and families. Guided Tours and other activities are available for School Groups of all grade levels. Teachers should call to discuss their particular needs.

Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 5pm, Sunday 12 - 5. Closed Mondays, New Years, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Admission: Adults $8.00, Seniors $6.00, Children under 12 $6.00. Please call for group rates.

Group Reservations: 4 weeks.

Lunch: Nearby restaurants.

Handicapped: Accessible.

Directions: Located at 7th and Arch Sts.

Nearby: Fabric Workshop Museum , Museum of American Art , National Museum of American Jewish History , Atwater Kent Museum , Norman Rockwell Museum .