After more than 20 years of planning, the International African American Museum (IAAM) has opened to the public in Charleston, South Carolina.
The new museum is located at the site of Gadsden’s Wharf, a former slave trading port. It includes nine galleries, a world-class genealogy and ancestry resource centre, and the African Ancestors Memorial Garden.
“Thank you for waiting several centuries for this moment to honor the untold story of the African American people,” said Tonya Matthews, the museum’s president and CEO.
“We welcome everyone to visit us at IAAM, to simultaneously hold the sensations of trauma and joy that are woven together throughout our exhibitions and feel something that is akin to everything.
“Our stories, our history — they are seeds, and seeds sprout. They have been planted and germinating for hundreds of years, and now we till the soil.”
Designed by architect Henry Cobb, the 150,000-square-foot institution explores the history, culture and impact of the African American journey across the world.
Currently, the International African American Museum is hosting a travelling exhibition from the Smithsonian titled ‘Men of Change: Power. Triumph. Truth.’
The museum’s launch follows several days of community celebrations, including a multi-faith worship service, dedication ceremonies and presentations, and live performances.
Showcasing the African American journey
“During a time where the idea of the African American experience being quintessential to the American experience is being challenged around the nation – what a fantastic moment for this museum to be alive,” said Malika N. Pryor, the museum’s chief learning and engagement officer.
“Our exhibitions are a curatorial prism, infracting light to create multiple colors that are engaging and dancing with the concepts of people, place, space and time – triangulating continental Africa, the United States and the greater diaspora.
“What we look forward to our visitors doing is choosing, just as our ancestors chose, sometimes just one step, one foot in front of the other.”
