dedicated study conservation african american history culture art founded husband founders established museum celebrate black culture overlooked museums academic establishments located 56th place corner cottage grove avenue museum affiliation history founding originally chartered february origins art began following work margaret correct perceived omission black history culture education establishment museum originally located ground floor home museum renamed fur trader non native american permanent chicago 1960s museum located street founded dedicated formed african american cultural corridor original museum site previously social club boarding house african american railroad workers listed national_register_of_historic_places quickly filled void caused limited cultural resources available african americans chicago educational resource african american history culture focal point chicago black social activism museum hosted political community festivals events serving black community museum model emulated numerous cities country including boston los_angeles philadelphia expansion donated usage park administration building site museum current location served facility museum expanded addition new wing named honor late mayor african american mayor chicago original building contributing building registered historic district national_register_of_historic_places listing oldest largest african american culture united_states long history expanded necessary reflect increased interest black culture willingness adapt allowed survive museums weakening economy decreased public support museum eighth located land focuses exhibiting african american culture chicago museums celebrates chicago ethnic cultural heritage director said african american art grown need culture preserve history art historical obstacles forms documentation believes museum serves tool members culture experienced extensive 1980s african american museums endured controversy negative aspects cultural history 1990s african american genre museum began flourish despite financial difficulties museum formed affiliation collection new wing contains permanent exhibit washington memorabilia personal effects surveys highlights political career museum serves city primary memorial highlights collection include desk activist violin poet museum collection artifacts books photographs art objects memorabilia collection come largely private gifts united_states slavery era relics twentieth century artifacts archival materials including diaries sea explorer captain collection includes works scholar poet african american art collection contains selections students numerous period 1960s works museum owns prints drawings extensive collection books records pertaining african african american history culture facilities original north entrance contains main lobby museum features honor institution founders building designed serve city south new wing square feet museum seat auditorium new wing hosts community related events jazz blues music series poetry readings film screenings cultural events museum gift shop research library museum operated million budget compared budget united_states museum funding partially dependent chicago park district tax levy expansion new wing museum contained square feet exhibition space million expansion funded million matching funds grant city state officials
DuSable Museum of African American History