Editing African American Museum

{{Infobox Museum
| name = African American Museum in Philadelphia
| type = History and culture museum
| address = 701 Arch Street
| neighborhood = Old City
| phone = (215) 574-0380
| website = https://aampmuseum.org
| established = 1976
| collection_size = 750,000+ objects
| admission = $14 adults, $10 students
| hours = Wed-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12pm-5pm
| public_transit = 5th Street Station (MFL), SEPTA buses
}}

The '''African American Museum in Philadelphia''' (AAMP) is a museum dedicated to collecting, preserving, and interpreting the material culture of African Americans. Located on Independence Mall in [[Old City]], AAMP was the first institution of its kind built by a major American city, opening in 1976 for the nation's Bicentennial.<ref name="aamp">{{cite web |url=https://aampmuseum.org |title=African American Museum in Philadelphia |publisher=AAMP |access-date=December 23, 2025}}</ref>

== History ==

=== Founding ===

Philadelphia Mayor Frank Rizzo supported creating an African American museum as part of the nation's 1976 Bicentennial celebration. The museum opened on July 4, 1976, as the first museum dedicated to African American history and culture built by a major American city.

The timing was significant: Philadelphia has one of the oldest and largest African American communities in the United States, with history stretching back to the colonial era.

=== Mission ===

AAMP's mission is to tell the story of African Americans from the African diaspora through art, history, and culture, with emphasis on the Philadelphia region's rich African American heritage.

== Collection ==

AAMP holds over 750,000 objects:

=== Strengths ===

* African American art and artists
* Philadelphia African American history
* Civil rights materials
* African diaspora artifacts
* Photographs and documents
* Oral histories

=== Notable Areas ===

* '''Philadelphia community history''' — Underground Railroad, abolition movement
* '''Arts and culture''' — Music, visual art, performance
* '''Contemporary issues*** — Ongoing community documentation

== Exhibits ==

=== Audacious Freedom ===

The core permanent exhibition ''Audacious Freedom: African Americans in Philadelphia 1776-1876'' explores the first century of African American life in Philadelphia:

* Free Black community development
* Abolition and the Underground Railroad
* Religious and civic institutions
* Education and entrepreneurship
* Civil War and emancipation

=== Changing Exhibitions ===

AAMP regularly presents:

* Contemporary African American artists
* Thematic historical exhibitions
* Community-focused projects
* Traveling exhibitions

== Philadelphia's African American History ==

AAMP contextualizes Philadelphia's significant African American heritage:

* '''Richard Allen''' — Founder of Mother Bethel AME Church
* '''Absalom Jones*** — First Black Episcopal priest
* '''Octavius Catto''' — Civil rights leader
* '''Marian Anderson''' — Contralto singer
* '''Underground Railroad*** — Philadelphia as major hub
* '''Free Black community''' — One of the largest in antebellum America

== Visiting ==

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Detail !! Information
|-
| '''Hours''' || Wed-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12pm-5pm
|-
| '''Admission''' || $14 adults, $10 students/seniors
|-
| '''Address''' || 701 Arch Street
|-
| '''Time needed''' || 1-2 hours
|}

== Getting There ==

* '''SEPTA Subway''' — 5th Street Station (Market-Frankford Line)
* '''SEPTA Bus''' — Routes 17, 33, 48, 57
* '''Walking''' — On Independence Mall at 7th Street
* '''Parking''' — AutoPark at Independence Mall

== Frequently Asked Questions ==

{{FAQ
|q1=What is the African American Museum in Philadelphia?
|a1=AAMP is a museum dedicated to African American history, art, and culture, with emphasis on the Philadelphia region. Founded in 1976 as the first such museum built by a major American city, it holds over 750,000 objects documenting the African American experience.

|q2=What can I see at AAMP?
|a2=The core exhibition ''Audacious Freedom'' covers African American life in Philadelphia from 1776-1876, including the abolitionist movement, Underground Railroad, and community development. Changing exhibitions feature contemporary artists and thematic shows.

|q3=Is AAMP on Independence Mall?
|a3=Yes, AAMP is located on Independence Mall at 7th and Arch Streets, near the National Constitution Center and Liberty Bell Center. It can be combined with other Independence Mall sites for a full day of history.

|q4=Why is Philadelphia important to African American history?
|a4=Philadelphia was home to one of the largest free Black communities in antebellum America. It was a hub of the Underground Railroad, home to prominent abolitionists, and birthplace of major African American institutions. AAMP tells this significant regional and national story.
}}

== See Also ==

* [[Mother Bethel AME Church]]
* [[Richard Allen]]
* [[Octavius Catto]]
* [[Old City]]

== References ==
<references />

== External Links ==

* [https://aampmuseum.org Official Website]

{{#seo:
|title=African American Museum in Philadelphia - Black History and Culture on Independence Mall
|description=The African American Museum in Philadelphia (AAMP) documents Black history and culture from the African diaspora. First major city-built African American museum, opened 1976.
|keywords=African American Museum Philadelphia, AAMP, Black history museum, Independence Mall, African American history, Philadelphia Black community
|type=Article
}}

[[Category:Museums]]
[[Category:History Museums]]
[[Category:Old City]]
[[Category:African American History]]