BOSTON

NANTUCKET

EXHIBITS

EVENTS

MUSEUM STORE

The Museum of African American History is dedicated to preserving, conserving and accurately interpreting the contributions of African Americans in New England from the colonial period through the 19th century.

January 13 · 6PM - 8PM
THREADS OF FAITH EXHIBIT OPENING
Icons, Images and Experiences - The Fine Art of Quilt-Making
Experience the power imagery plays in the formation of cultural heritage as the Museum's Director of Education, L'Merchie Frazier, presents an intuitive look at the fine art of African American quilting.  Learn from an expert quilter, one of Ms. Frazier's quilts, "From A Birmingham Jail" is prominently featured in an exhibit at the Smithsonian Institute. (see Featured Exhibits). Part story and part historic document these delicate pieces were sewn to preserve the experiences unique to the African American community representing faith, love, hope and family. Join us for the opening reception and slide presentation on this fine art.

January 17, 2005 ·  3PM - 5PM
A FAMILY CONCERT IN HONOR OF MARTIN Luther King Jr.  
 The Museum honors the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a concert featuring the musical talents of a group of young people from the Intensive Community Program of the Greater Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra (GBYSO). Enjoy the orchestral sounds of spirituals, gospel, and classical music and hear readings from the speeches of Dr. King presented by GBYSO youth on this national holiday. Children in the audience will have the opportunity to hold and play the instruments in this interactive musical encounter.  Bring the whole family! Refreshments.

JANUARY

January 29, 1PM - 3PM

THREADS OF FAITH QUILTING WORKSHOP
Engage your group in our two-part workshop exploring contemporary African American quilting. Led by renown quilter and educator, L'Merchie Frazier, the experience includes a guided group tour of the "Threads of Faith" Quilt Exhibition at the Museum, followed by a quilting workshop at your group site. The workshops are open to beginning and experienced quilters. The first workshop will be held Saturday, January 29, 1pm-3pm. To schedule with your group. Materials Fee: Members $10 . Non-Members $15 . Special Introductory New Member Rate $25 includes one year individual Museum membership and workshop fee.

February 3, 6:30-8PM

Sarah's Long walk
Father and son authors, Stephen and Paul Kendrick tell the poignant story of a Black community's heroic struggle for equality in education. "Sarah's Long Walk" is the 19^th century story of a five-year-old girl named Sarah Roberts who in 1848, on Boston's windswept Beacon Hill walked past five white schools to attend the densely crowded all-black Abiel Smith School. Incensed that his daughter had been turned away at each white school, Benjamin Roberts resolved to sue the city of Boston on her behalf. Although he lost, six years later, the Massachusetts legislature declared an end to segregated schools in the Commonwealth. The Roberts case began what would be a more than 100 year struggle that culminated in 1954 with the unanimous decision in Brown vs. Board of Education to desegregate the nation's schools. Book signing and reception. Co-Sponsored by Beacon Press.

A GATHERING PLACE FOR FREEDOM
Join us at The Massachusetts Historical Society afternoon lecture given by the Museum's Executive Director, Beverly Morgan-Welch. The Society is a 300-year-old major research library and manuscript repository. Its holdings encompass millions of rare and unique documents and artifacts vital to the study of American history, many of them irreplaceable national treasures. A few examples include several imprints of the Declaration of Independence and the pen Abraham Lincoln used to sign the Emancipation Proclamation. Join us. You are sure to discover something new and exciting.

February 16, 7-8 PM
MEMBERS ONLY EVENT
The Directors Tour
Attend an exclusive behind the scenes tour of the Museum with our Executive Director, Beverly Morgan Welch. Discover something new about Black Beacon Hill in the early 19th Century, hear of intriguing stories of courage and entrepreneurship, or gain an understanding of the inspiration behind the Abiel Smith School as you tour the museum and converse over a light dinner. Reservations required. Not a member yet? Sign up at the Director's Tour or click here for more information about membership.