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Black World History Museum
DESCRIPTION: The Museum tells the stories of famous and not-so-famous African-American Missourians including George Washington Carver, Dred and Harriett Scott, musician Clark Terry, Clara Brown, Hiram Young and others.
ADDRESS: 2505 St. Louis Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63106
LOCATION: Near North St. Louis
PHONE NUMBER: 314-241-7057
GETTING THERE: From downtown, take Market Street west about a mile and a half to Jefferson, turn right. Follow Jefferson about 1.5 miles (bear slightly right where it becomes Parnell) to St. Louis Avenue. Turn right on St. Louis. Go about one block to 2505 St. Louis Avenue. The museum is on the left.
HOURS: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
ADMISSION: $5, adults; $4, youth 13-17; $3.50, seniors 60 and older; $2.50, children 12 and under.
ANNUAL ATTENDANCE: 25,000
SIGNIFICANCE: The Museum depicts the lives and contributions of African-Americans in this country -- from the earliest days of slavery through the 20th century. Exhibits document the history and brutality of slavery and give vivid depictions of daily life for African-Americans from pre-Civil War through the years that followed. It does an especially good job, through real-life accounts, of focusing on what life was like for blacks living in Missouri. The St. Louis Black World History Museum is one of only two of its kind in the county. The other is in Baltimore, MD.
WHAT'S NEW: The Black World History Museum hosts three or four traveling exhibits each year. Call for details on current exhibits.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- A replica of quarters on the ships which brought African slaves to America.
- A display of artifacts from archaeological excavations at a slave's cabin near Jonesboro, Missouri.
- Displays depicting the lives of African-Americans during and after the Civil War.
- An exhibit on Dr. Martin Luther King's life.
ESPECIALLY FOR KIDS: Children enjoy the puzzles they can work on tables outside of the slave ship. Don't forget to pick up a copy of the "History Hunt" when you enter the Museum. This is a challenge for both children and adults and encourages learning more about the people and events depicted in the museum.
HISTORY: The Black World History Museum opened in St. Louis in February 1997. The building formerly housed a school.
GIFT SHOP: The Museum's gift shop has a variety of art and clothing from Africa as well as Afro-centric gifts, posters and other items.
WHERE TO GET LUNCH: St. Louis Union Station, about 2.5 miles south on Market Street, offers luncheon options. Or try the Tap Room, a microbrewery with a lunch menu, 2.5 miles south at 2100 Locust on 21st Street between Olive and Locust.
WHAT'S NEARBY: St. Louis Union Station, a festival market place of shops and restaurants, is 2.5 miles southeast.
PUBLIC RELATIONS CONTACT: Erika D. Neal, Director of Marketing & Visitor Relations, 314-241-7057; email: blkwaxmusm@aol.com.
Readers should call 1-800-916-0040 to request a free copy of the Official St. Louis Visitor Guide or point, click and explore St. Louis at www.explorestlouis.com
