African American Museum
| Type | History and culture museum |
|---|---|
| Address | 701 Arch Street |
| Map | View on Google Maps |
| Neighborhood | Old City |
| Phone | (215) 574-0380 |
| Website | Official site |
| Established | 1976 |
| Collection | 750,000+ objects |
| Admission | $14 adults, $10 students |
| Hours | Wed-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12pm-5pm |
| 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.[1]
History
[edit | edit source]Founding
[edit | edit source]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
[edit | edit source]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
[edit | edit source]AAMP holds over 750,000 objects:
Strengths
[edit | edit source]- African American art and artists
- Philadelphia African American history
- Civil rights materials
- African diaspora artifacts
- Photographs and documents
- Oral histories
Notable Areas
[edit | edit source]- Philadelphia community history — Underground Railroad, abolition movement
- Arts and culture — Music, visual art, performance
- Contemporary issues*** — Ongoing community documentation
Exhibits
[edit | edit source]Audacious Freedom
[edit | edit source]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
[edit | edit source]AAMP regularly presents:
- Contemporary African American artists
- Thematic historical exhibitions
- Community-focused projects
- Traveling exhibitions
Philadelphia's African American History
[edit | edit source]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
[edit | edit source]| 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
[edit | edit source]- 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
[edit | edit source]See Also
[edit | edit source]References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ "African American Museum in Philadelphia". AAMP. Retrieved December 23, 2025