Boasting a diverse collection of over 15,000 artifacts, delight in paintings, sculptures, print works and historical memorabilia during your time at the DuSable Museum of African American History. Special exhibitions, workshops and lectures are also often featured and highlight works by specific artists, historic events and collections.
Exhibits
From displays that explore African Americans’ various roles throughout history to the museum’s impressive collection of African artifacts, the DuSable Museum’s exhibits take an intimate look into African American history, culture and art.
Red, White, Blue & Black: A History of Blacks in the Armed Services
The right to serve, fight and die for America has long been a struggle for African American men and women. Featuring more than 100 objects, images and documents that highlight the robust collection of militaria, explore African Americans role in the armed services throughout seven historical eras spanning from the Revolutionary War through to the Vietnam War.
A Slow Walk to Greatness: the Harold Washington Story
Take a look into the life and legacy of Harold Washington, Chicago’s first African American Mayor. Featuring over 150 artifacts, objects, campaign memorabilia, archival footage and at the center of the exhibit, the animatronic Mayor Washington, you’ll be given the opportunity to learn about the significant impact Harold Washington had on Chicago and the United States of America.
Africa Speaks
Showcasing the diverse people, cultures and countries in Africa and more importantly, illustrating the link that African Americans have with their ancestral legacy beyond the institution of slavery, Africa Speaks is an exhibit that features over 2,000 traditional and contemporary African artifacts from across North, South, East, Central and West Africa.
The Freedom Now Mural
Created by Illinois sculptor and attorney Robert Witt Ames, the Freedom Now Mural is reflective of Ames’ political and social sentiments for the historical experiences of African Americans throughout American history. Admire the nine by eight foot bas-relief mural and see if you know which historic events are depicted in the carving.
Thomas Miller Mosaics
Pay your respects to the founders of the DuSable Museum of African American History. Contemporary mosaic murals made by Chicago artist Thomas Miller feature portraits of eight of the ten founders of the museum including: Dr. Margaret Burroughs, Charles Burroughs, Eugene Feldman, Wilberforce Jones, Jan Wittenber, Hammurabi Robb, Ralph Turner, and Gerard N. Lew. Other works in the gallery feature scenes of famous Chicagoans like Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable and Chicago’s first mayor, Harold Washington.
Don’t forget to stop by the DuSable Museum Store. With a vast collection of gifts including books, prints and audio and video cassettes, CDs and DVDs, you’ll find the perfect gift for a loved one, or that special keepsake to remember your time at the DuSable Museum of African American History.