Founded in 1976 in celebration of the nation's Bicentennial, the African American Museum in Philadelphia (AAMP) is the first institution funded and built by a major municipality to preserve, interpret and exhibit the heritage of African Americans. Throughout its evolution, the museum has objectively interpreted and presented the achievements and aspirations of African Americans from pre-colonial times to the current day.

The museum is committed to telling the story of African Americans in all its permutations: family life, the Civil Rights movement, arts and entertainment, sports, medicine, architecture, politics, religion, law and technology. The AAMP currently houses four galleries and an auditorium, each of which offer exhibitions anchored by one of our three dominant themes: the African Diaspora, the Philadelphia Story, and the Contemporary Narrative.

Our permanent exhibition Audacious Freedom: African Americans in Philadelphia 1776 - 1876, recounts the stories of and contributions made by people of African descent in Philadelphia during the tumultuous years following the founding of our nation. Through this exhibit visitors will learn who the people were, how they lived and worked, and their unheralded impact on our nation.

Among the highlights of the exhibition are:
A narrated, interactive timeline that spans 100 years of history. The timeline highlights a sequence of images and documents, all drawn from the historical record, that illuminate and explore topics of relevance including entrepreneurship, environment, education, religion, and family traditions.
Ten full-size video projections of trailblazers from 18th Century Philadelphia including such heroes as Octavius Catto, Richard Allen and Frances Ellen Watkins Harper. The individual trailblazers answer questions about their lives during the time period.
Children ages 3 through 8 will enjoy the Children’s Corner, a hands-on installment where they can explore the daily lives of children in Philadelphia during the time period.