South Carolina’s International African American Museum (IAAM) will open its doors in Charleston, South Carolina, on Tuesday, June 27.
After major setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic and infrastructure issues, the museum invites the public to explore the stories and journeys of enslaved African Americans and the stories and successes of descendants of the African Diaspora.
Nine contrasting galleries comprise fascinating visuals displaying the lives and struggles of slaves and free Blacks, incorporating their influence on the economy, culture and politics from then to today. The galleries are the Transatlantic Experience, the Atlantic Worlds Gallery, the South Carolina Connections Gallery, the Gullah Geechee Gallery, the American Journeys Gallery, the Carolina Gold Gallery, the African Roots Gallery, the Theater and the Special Exhibitions Gallery.
An African Ancestors Memorial Garden sits across the museum, evincing the historical role Gadsden’s Wharf — which the 150,000-square-foot IAAM overlooks — had on the Transatlantic slave trade. The Gadsden’s Wharf is where about 45% of slaves entered America.
The museum includes a genealogy center to help visitors with possible ancestral connections to the Gadsden Wharf learn about their ancestors’ journeys.
IAAM’s president and CEO, Dr. Tonya Matthews, hopes the public arrives with curiosity and ready to discover the truth regarding slavery, racial apartheid and systemic and economic oppression.
From large video screens and an ethnobotanical garden to a “praise house” and numerous works of art, the IAAM ensured visitors submerged themselves in true African and African American culture and history — Africa’s impact on trade with America and the migration of culture and languages, the horrid conditions slaves endured on the Middle Passage and the Gullah Geechee people’s influence on Black gospel music.
South Carolina is another state that banned many public schools from teaching “Critical Race Theory.” Still, this museum enables children from local elementary, middle and high schools to gain access to the truth GOP officials are attempting to hide.
“Truth sets us free — free to understand, free to respect and free to appreciate the full spectrum of our shared history,” former Charleston Mayor Joseph Riley, Jr. said at Saturday’s exclusive opening ceremony on June 24, according to KX News.
Riley reportedly had planned for the IAAM since 2000, and the construction began in 2019.
The Cosby Show award-winning actress Phylicia Rashad emceed the ceremony on Sunday, which included a performance by the McIntosh County Shouters and the Charleston Symphony. The day prior, Charlamagne Tha God hosted a pre-show.
On this joyous morning, we’re honored to have talented artists, musicians, poets and more gracing our presence.
Stay tuned for live updates! pic.twitter.com/yo8ex1tkFa
— International African American Museum (@iaamuseum) June 24, 2023
The museum opens Tuesday. Tickets must be reserved! All of June is sold out.
