Museum Reviews
This is definitely an interesting and amazing exhibit, Ruth E. Carter. It showcases how she used Afrofuturism—the blending of traditional African culture with futuristic technology and sci-fi—to create the visual identity of Wakanda.What You’ll See: Nearly 80 original costumes, including the iconic armor worn by T’Challa and the regal attire of the Dora Milaje.
Visited on MLK Day and had a wonderful experience. The highlight was definitely the Ruth E. Carter costume design exhibit. Seeing the artistry behind iconic films like Black Panther, Dolemite Is My Name, Coming 2 America, and the Roots miniseries was truly incredible. The level of detail and cultural storytelling woven into every garment is breathtaking, and it was a thrill to see pieces from so many of my favorite movies in one space. This exhibit is a powerful tribute to Black creativity and cinematic history that shouldn't be missed.
Small but very interesting and informative museum. It featured a timeline of black history within Philadelphia ( from 1776 to 1876 ), a small store with jewelry, clothing, and books, and then a temporary exhibit featuring Ruth Carter’s costume designs and their evolution over time. There was also a small speech from muralist Richard Watson, as well as a showing of his documentary and free collage art space with a teaching artist downstairs.
The AAMP was beautiful and informative. The standing exhibit took us on a walk through freedom in images and words. I could get the sound to play on the kiosk, but it was unnecessary.From the time you walk in, you're treated to a visual feast of stunning books, clothes, and merchandise. There's even a cozy chair to sit and read. There are ramps and elevators everywhere and the music is fully accessible for the physically challenged. The staff is so friendly and warm too. Everyone from the receptionist, to the security team, to an employee we chatted with on the elevator was so sweet and helpful. We got to experience the Ruth E. Carter costume exhibit which is A MUST SEE! But don't skip the exhibit in the auditorium on the lower level on sailing to freedom. You are in for a treat!
Amazing catalogs of vital African American history and current accomplishments.
Visiting the 1st African American Museum in the US was a treat, especially since the life of Ms. Pearl Bailey was exhibited along with other artifacts .
Friendly staff and the museum was full of historic information on the local black gentry
While the museum isn’t very big it provided a nice overall experience. I especially liked the talking character screens, telling the stories of Black Philadelphians from the mid 1700s - early 1900s.
Juneteenth.The lines were long but I was happy they had event for the holiday.
Very wonderful museum! I experienced the Juneteenth Event outside of here, and I had a wonderful time celebrating!
I never got a chance to visit. After I read the below legal notice on the website, I knew I would dislike the museum.“your entrance into the museum hereby grants the African American Museum in Philadelphia permission to use your likeness in a photograph, video, or other digital media in any and all of its publications, including web-based publications, without payment or other consideration.”
I loved the information and exhibits! My only problem was that I wished it was larger.
The perfect full morning or full afternoon place to visit. The special exhibit was particularly interesting.
I love this museum. This was my 1st visit. It is very informative and interesting. I loved all the art work. The staff were awesome.
The staff was friendly and helpful. The history was inspiring. The art was breathtaking.
This museum was a great way to connect with the city on a recent day trip I took to Philly. There was no line to enter or get a ticket on the sunday I visited. There are no stairs required to enter, and ramps throughout, with wide walkways for accessibility. A lot of the exhibits are interactive so you can hear or watch differing content. It has a gallery mapping the history of African Americans in Philly with the last two floors being designated to whatever rotating exhibit is on display. My only gripe is that there isn't as much seating as I'd like given how hard the floors are it can be a lot to take on your back, and all seating is backless benches. There are hand sanitizer stations but no hand sanitizer in them. But generally, this museum has great historical content, beautiful rotating exhibits, helpful and friendly operational staff, a cool little gift shop, and accessible spaces for all family members.
🌍✨🖤 African American Museum in Philadelphia: A Journey Through Art, History, and Heart 🖤✨🌍Walking through the doors of the African American Museum in Philadelphia (AAMP) at 701 Arch Street is like stepping into a powerful work of art, full of stories that vibrate with life, resilience, and creativity. Established in 1976 as the first city-funded museum dedicated to preserving and celebrating African American history, AAMP sits in Philadelphia’s historic heart, just a stone’s throw from Independence Hall and Liberty Bell. This space isn’t just a museum—it’s a vibrant, communal celebration of Black culture, art, and history. 🏛️🖤✨🎨 Every Exhibit Tells a Story 🎨The exhibits here are nothing short of mesmerizing. From powerful, interactive installations to beautiful works of art, AAMP’s collection reflects the deep legacy of Black resilience and creativity. Right now, you can experience “Uncovering Community,” a moving exploration of Philadelphia’s Black neighborhoods through photographs, personal artifacts, and oral histories. It’s a reminder of the cultural heartbeat that has defined these spaces, generation after generation. 📸🏙️ #CommunityInFocusAnother stunning exhibit, “Shared Vision: Portraits from the CCH Pounder-Koné Collection,” offers an artistic journey through the African diaspora. This display includes vibrant portraits by both African and African American artists, showcasing diverse stories and faces that reflect the global Black experience. 🖼️🌍 #ArtOfTheDiasporaAnd there’s more to come! AAMP consistently refreshes its exhibits to stay connected with contemporary issues, historical milestones, and cultural celebrations. Keep an eye out for future installations that promise to bring even more powerful stories to the forefront. 🖌️🔍✨ #HistoryInTheMaking🗣️ Interactive History—Voices That Echo Through Time 🗣️One of the museum’s most captivating features is its interactive audio stations, where you can listen to the voices of those who lived the history. Known as the “Voices of Freedom,” these stations allow visitors to hear recorded testimonies from figures like Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, and contemporary community leaders. Imagine standing there, headphones on, hearing the voice of an ancestor who fought for freedom, rights, and justice. It’s a haunting and inspiring experience that bridges past and present. 🎧🕰️✨ #VoicesOfFreedom #LivingHistory🎉 A Community Hub for All Ages 🎉AAMP isn’t just a place to observe—it’s a place to participate, celebrate, and connect. The museum hosts incredible events and celebrations throughout the year, such as the MLK Celebration, Black History Month festivities, Juneteenth Block Party, and Kwanzaa gatherings. These events are filled with art, music, and culture, bringing together people from all walks of life to honor the legacy of African American resilience. 🥳🎶🎤 #CelebrateCulture #CommunityPrideBirthday parties at the museum? Yes! AAMP even offers space rentals for unique celebrations, allowing families to celebrate milestones surrounded by history and culture. Imagine hosting a birthday or anniversary here, where every wall tells a story of strength and joy. 🎂🎈💃🏾 #PartyWithHistory🛍️ The Gift Shop: Treasures to Take Home 🛍️Don’t miss the AAMP gift shop—it’s filled with books, art-inspired keepsakes, clothing, and cultural items that capture the spirit of the museum. It’s the perfect way to bring a piece of AAMP home with you. Whether you’re looking for something small or a statement piece, the shop has something that reflects the powerful stories within the museum walls. 📚👕🎨 #AAMPGiftShop #CulturalTreasures🚶🏾
This was one of the best museums I've ever been to. I learned so much, and the art was amazing. I'd love to come back and spend more time.
It's rude & inconsiderate not to update your hours to let people know you are closed during regular hours. We spent an hour to get there just to see a paper posted saying you are closed until September.
Very well laid out exhibits. Easy to navigate between exhibits. There is plenty of space.
The exhibits are thoughtfully curated, spanning centuries of African American experiences from slavery and the Civil Rights Movement to contemporary achievements in arts, sciences, and politics. Each gallery tells a compelling story, using artifacts, multimedia presentations, and interactive displays to immerse visitors in the struggles and triumphs of African Americans throughout history.
A bit disappointed, not by the content itself that was great, but by the lack of content this museum displays. Paying 14$ for such a tiny museum is too bad.Also, this museum is not very well-conceived in my opinion:The first floor has screens with testimonies on videos, but I couldn’t hear anything over the loud voices of people talking at the front desk of the museum… you guys should add subtitles to the videos or keep people quiet (or speak less loudly)… The other part of that floor was interesting, though.The second floor was great (screen with button to play recordings), but if every visitor wants to play a different recording at the same time, it really gets loud and messy for the ears. Fortunately I went to the museum at an odd hour, so I was alone in this room for quite some time.The last floor was my favorite part of the exhibit, displaying the beautiful works of Dox Thrash, but unfortunately they wasn’t much to see.Lastly, the auditorium was closed for renovation, so I couldn’t get in.Overall, the experience was nice, staff very friendly, but in my opinion way too expensive for too few content. You guys should lower your price since we can’t fully enjoy the museum (closed auditorium and not well conceived rooms).
This museum gives the history of African Americans that came to Philly, mostly, in the bottom of a boat as property.We took some time in here to learn what happened with the slave trade, the abolishment of that trade, and what Philly has become because of that part of history and how strong the African American people are and can be. It was awe inspiring to see how resilient and determined the African American people of Philly could be.It's a great place to learn and absorb more history of our nation and the determined men and women it took to build it.
Loved my experience there, but I wish they had more art on display considering the amount of history and culture in Philadelphia
Very small with few exhibits. Definitely not worth the money! I don’t feel like I learned anything from this experience. Not interesting nor informative.
It was nice. I like the videos that talked to you. They had buttons to push to listen to their story. But it was small.
I haven't been here in years and was glad to be able to revisit and see the changes. Very informative with a lot of pictures and some interactive exhibits but I would have liked to see more artifacts like dishes, clothing, utensils used during slavery time. Nice experience with 3 floors to explore. The Breyonna Taylor exhibit was great!!
I really enjoyed the African American Museum in Philadelphia. The permanent exhibit "Audacious Freedom" was interesting and informative. I also liked the special exhibit, "Rising Sun..." which displayed a lot of interesting and thought provoking artwork.
It was a huge opportunity for my family and I to visit this museum.The space is filled with so much history and historical information. I’m am happy to see the work being done to commemorate black history.Overall a great work of art and a memorable experience to have visited this museum. I feel like this is a place where you could visit several times and draw various inspirations from each visit.The green room is a must see …
Wow! Amazing museum. So much knowledge shared with great visuals and interactive experiences. The museum contains 3 floors with lots of information in an smooth presentation. In total, about an hour to go through the museum. Plenty of street parking and a parking garage. Museum staff is very welcoming as well. Tickets may be purchased in person for $14 for adults. Very inexpensive for a great experience!
