Tag: History

A Visit to Prince George’s African American Museum & Cultural Center (North Brentwood, MD)

20161228_165409057_iosDrive along Rhode Island Avenue in North Brentwood, MD and you will come across an island of African-American history & culture in the middle of two small industrial shopping centers. This museum & culture center stands as a testimonial to the town that was the first African-American settlement in Prince George’s County.

The full name of the center is Prince George’s African American Museum & Cultural Center at North Brentwood, Inc but it’s listed on social media as PGAAMCC. The 10,000 square foot center has a permanent exhibition room and rotating exhibitions around the space and along hallways. Quotes from art students are positioned throughout. A very friendly staff is available to answer questions and give you information.

The center is a community meeting space and has several programs covering all ages. An upcoming program is the New Year First Friday on January 6, 2017, from 6 pm to 9 pm. Enjoy live music, food trucks and complimentary cocktails. It’s an opportunity to learn, network and enjoy performances. Check the website for other events or workshops.

20161228_180026705_iosI said the center is in the middle of two industrial shopping centers. Not to worry if food is on your mind when you’re ready to go. Make a right turn out of the parking lot. A short drive down the road and you’re in downtown Hyattsville, MD. There are many places to stop for a bite to eat. I found this map of downtown Hyattsville when I stopped at Shortcake Bakery. It’s just a few blocks from the center.

I visited PGAAMCC because it is one of 14 African-American museums in the state of Maryland. See my post for a list.

Prince George’s African American Museum & Cultural Center at North Brentwood, Inc., 4519 Rhode Island Avenue, North Brentwood, MD (Prince George’s County) | 301-809-0440 | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn | Yelp | Foursquare | free admission | free parking | There is a fee for a private tour by staff | Call or visit the website for hours, event schedule, workshops and volunteer opportunities.

Thank you for reading Maryland Travel Stories!

Maryland Museums Preserving African-American History & Culture

maryland-museums-preserving-african-american-history-cultureYesterday, I shared a post from CBS DC. The article is a discussion on African-American Museums in Maryland you can visit while you wait for the crowds to shorten at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History & Culture. The article said there are over a dozen African-American museums in the state. The article doesn’t list all the museums. I was curious so I did some research. Here’s a list of the locations I found:

1 – Prince George’s African American Museum and Cultural Center, North Brentwood, MD (Prince George’s County)

2 – Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture, Baltimore, MD (Baltimore City)

3 – Oakley Cabin African American Museum and Park, Olney, MD (Montgomery County)

4 – Howard County Center of African American Culture, Columbia, MD (Howard County)

5 – National Great Blacks in Wax Museum, Baltimore, MD (Baltimore City)

6 – African American Heritage House, La Plata, MD (Charles County)

7 – Banneker-Douglass Museum, Annapolis, MD (Anne Arundel County)

8 – African Art Museum of Maryland,  Fulton, MD (Howard County)

9 – Harriet Tubman Museum and Educational Center, Cambridge, MD (Dorchester County)

10 – Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center, Cambridge, MD (Caroline and Dorchester Counties)

11 – Doleman Black Heritage Museum, Hagerstown, MD (Washington County)

12 – The Button Farm Living History Center, Germantown, MD (Montgomery County)

13 – Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park, Baltimore, MD (Baltimore City)

14 – Josiah Henson Park, North Bethesda, MD (Montgomery County)

15 – Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture

My travel bucket list just keeps growing. Thank you for reading Maryland Travel Stories!