Baltimore, as home to the headquarters of the NAACP and three historically black colleges, is an important center for African-American culture and history. These are some of Baltimore's top African-American cultural institutions.
Black History Month 2008 Events
1. The Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African-American History & Culture
Inner Harbor410-333-1130
The largest African-American culture museum on the East Coast, this museum packs 350 years of Maryland's African-American history into its 82,000-square-foot facility.
2. Banneker-Douglass Museum
Annapolis410-216-6180
This free museum, housed in the former Methodist Episcopal Church in Annapolis' historic district, strives to preserve and educate the public about the African-American legacy in Maryland.
3. National Great Blacks in Wax Museum
North Ave. near Broadway410-563-7809
More than 100 life-size wax figures pose in dramatic historical scenes in the nation’s first African-American history wax museum.
4. Frederick Douglass Isaac Myers Maritime Park
Fells Point410-685-0295
The nearly 5,000 square feet of gallery space is divided into permanent and temporary exhibits and interactive learning centers. Visitors can learn about Baltimore's black maritime history and shipbuilding tradition.
5. Eubie Blake National Museum and Culture Center
West Side410-225-3130
Delve into the life stories of Baltimore jazz legends Eubie Blake, Billie Holiday, Cab Calloway and more at this center, which also hosts concerts, cultural events and performing arts classes.
6. African Art Museum of Maryland
Columbia410-730-7106
Located in Historic Oakland, a restored 19th-century manor, the museum's collection includes masks, sculptures, textiles, basketry, jewelry and musical instruments.
7. Lewis Museum of Art
Morgan State University443-885-3030
This collection of more than 4,000 works includes 19th- and 20th-century American, African, Asian, European and Oceanic art with an emphasis on materials from Africa.
8. Benjamin Banneker Historical Park & Museum
Oella410-887-1087
Dedicated to this self-educated astronomer, this 142-acre park includes a colonial farm, artifacts and exhibits.