These museums and libraries play a crucial role in preserving the rich history and culture of African Americans. They promote this heritage and offer invaluable resources for education. They also serve as research pillars.

Museums

Clark Atlanta University Art Museum

This museum boasts a significant collection of African American art, including works by renowned artists such as Jacob Lawrence and Romare Bearden.

Diggs Gallery at Winston-Salem State University

One of the largest galleries dedicated to African and African American art in North Carolina, it hosts exhibitions, lectures, and cultural events. Learn more at Diggs Gallery.

Hampton University Museum

One of the oldest African American museums in the United States, it houses an extensive collection of African, Native American, and African American art and artifacts.

Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture

Located at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina, this center celebrates African American culture through visual arts, film, literature, and performing arts.

Howard University Gallery of Art

Featuring a diverse collection of African American, African, and Asian art, this gallery is a vital resource for art education and appreciation.

Legacy Museum at Tuskegee University

This museum tells the story of the university’s history and the achievements of African Americans in various fields, including science, agriculture, and the arts.

Lewis Art Gallery at Jackson State University

Showcasing contemporary African American art, this gallery aims to promote understanding and appreciation of African American culture.

Morehouse College Martin Luther King Jr. Collection

This collection features personal papers, books, and other artifacts related to the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a Morehouse alumnus.

Museum at Texas Southern University

Featuring a collection of African American art and cultural artifacts, this museum supports the university’s mission to promote cultural diversity and awareness.

Spelman College Museum of Fine Art

Dedicated to works by and about women of the African Diaspora, this museum features exhibitions that highlight the contributions of black women artists.

Libraries

Amistad Research Center at Tulane University

This center focuses on the history of African Americans and other ethnic groups, with extensive archives and special collections.

Howard University Libraries

Including the Founders Library, Moorland-Spingarn Research Center, and Law Library, these libraries hold extensive collections of African American literature, history, and culture.

James H. White Library at Mississippi Valley State University

Offering a wide range of resources and special collections focused on African American history and culture.

John B. Coleman Library at Prairie View A&M University

Providing access to a wide range of resources, including special collections on African American history and culture.

Lyman Beecher Brooks Library at Norfolk State University

Supporting the academic needs of students and faculty, this library offers special collections on African American history and culture.

Moorland-Spingarn Research Center at Howard University

One of the world’s largest and most comprehensive repositories of information on the history and culture of people of African descent.

Robert W. Woodruff Library at Atlanta University Center

Serving Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Spelman College, and the Interdenominational Theological Center, this library offers comprehensive resources and archives.

Thomas F. Holgate Library at Bennett College

Serving the academic community, this library offers extensive resources on African American women’s history and contributions.

William R. & Norma B. Harvey at Hampton University

This historic library offers a vast collection of books, manuscripts, and other resources related to African American history and culture.

HBCUs in the United States are centers of academic excellence. They also serve as custodians of African American history and culture.