7 Must-Visit Museums for Black History Month

Black History Month was first proposed by teachers and students at Kent State University in 1969. The first celebration of Black History Month took place at Kent State in 1970, and six years later, it was being celebrated across the country. 

February is Black History Month, and to honor the occasion, we have compiled a list of the best Black History museums in the country. Make no mistake: each of these museums is well worth a visit, regardless of the month. Each of these historic and important museums will leave a lasting impression, and we’d advise you to take your time exploring them. There are hundreds of artifacts, exhibits, and stories to hear from some of the most stalwart, inspirational individuals from the past and present.

Whether you’re an educator, a history buff, or a traveler, each of these African-American history destinations offers a powerful and unforgettable experience.

1. Visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture

The National Museum of African American History is one of the best museums in Washington, DC. Known colloquially as the Blacksonian, visitors can learn about African American history through a variety of exhibits, from artwork to historic artifacts. 

The National Museum of African American History and Culture is the world’s largest museum dedicated to African-American history and culture. It’s one of the most visited museums in the United States, and the second-most visited Smithsonian Museum. It’s one of those places you just have to see for yourself. The museum is fully wheelchair-accessible and offers senior-friendly tours.

2. Learn About Freedom at the National Underground Railroad Center

Located in Cincinnati, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center unironically sits on the banks of the Ohio River – the natural barrier that separated the Southern slave states from the free states of the North. Through powerful exhibits, visitors can learn about the heroes of the Underground Railroad era and beyond. 

3. Explore the Historic Harriet Beecher Stowe House

Also in Cincinnati, the Harriet Beecher Stowe House is a must-visit museum for Black History Month. Visitors can tour the home where the iconic author lived in this house with her father, brothers, and sisters, and learn about the Underground Railroad, abolitionists, and the Stowe family. Stowe moved around throughout her life, and you can visit a few of her homes.

The Harriet Beecher Stowe House in Brunswick, Maine, is where she wrote her best-selling, anti-slavery novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin. The Harriet Beecher Stowe House in Hartford, Connecticut, is where she lived out the last 23 years of her life. Fun fact: she lived right next to Mark Twain’s house. Each home offers guided tours exploring Stowe’s life, abolitionist work, and literary legacy.

4. Visit the Whitney Plantation for a Powerful Historical Experience

Louisiana’s Whitney Plantation is one of the most unique plantations in the country. Originally called the Heidel (or Habitation Heidel) Plantation, German immigrant Ambroise Heidel purchased the property in 1752 and established a small indigo plantation. His son would eventually take over the plantation and turn it into a sugar plantation around 1800.

What makes Whitney Plantation unlike any other plantation is that the focus is not on the plantation owners. At Whitney, the focus is on the slaves who worked these plantations. Typically, plantations focus on the owners and the crops, but Whitney does a phenomenal job of spotlighting the men and women who were forced into these conditions. The site offers guided tours with paved walkways, making it easier for seniors to explore.

5. Visit The National Civil Rights Museum for History and Inspiration

The National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee, was built around the former Lorraine Motel, the site of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination. Since opening in 2014, millions of visitors have walked through this historic museum. From interactive displays to permanent exhibits and more, visitors can learn about the voices of the Civil Rights Movement and the powerful, important leaders of today. The museum is wheelchair-accessible, and exhibits are designed for all ages.

6. Visit the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History

Located in Detroit’s Midtown Cultural Center, The Wright is one of the world’s oldest and largest African-American museums and holds the world’s largest permanent collection of African-American culture. Boasting a collection of more than 35,000 artifacts within a 125,000-square-foot museum, it opened in its new location in 2019 as the largest museum in the world dedicated to African-American History. 

From Underground Railroad artifacts to award-winning costumes from Black Panther, Wakanda Forever, and Malcolm X, The Wrights’ exhibits seem to never end. One must-see at The Wright you just can’t miss is the Tuskegee Airmen National Museum. 

7. Discover Black History at the Schomburg Center

The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem, New York, is a world-leading cultural institution devoted to the research and preservation of the history and culture of people of African descent worldwide. The center is divided into five divisions: the Art and Artifacts Division, the Jean Blackwell Hutson General Research and Reference Division, the Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, the Moving Image and Recorded Sound Division, and the Photographs and Prints Division. It also hosts numerous readings, art exhibits, and theatrical events throughout the year. The center hosts exhibitions, lectures, performances, and research opportunities year-round.

Share this article with someone you want to visit one of these black history museums with. If this article inspired you to learn more, I’d highly recommend picking up a copy of the New York Times Bestseller, Black AF History: The Un-Whitewashed Story of America by Michael Harriot. And when visiting these cultural destinations, consider using our Itinerary Planner to map out your routes.