Natchez Museum of African American History and Culture
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 Natchez Museum of African American History and Culture | |
 | |
| Established | 1991 |
|---|---|
| Location | 301 Main Street, Natchez, MS, United States |
| Director | Bobby L Dennis |
The Natchez Museum of African American History and Culture is a museum located in Natchez, MS, United States. The museum chronicles the history and culture of African Americans in the southern United States. The museum was first opened in 1991 by the Natchez Association for the Preservation of African American Culture, also known as NAPAC, an organization dedicated to exploring the societal contributions made by people of African origin and descent.[1]
The museum is located in a historic Natchez, Mississippi building, the former United States Post Office that was built around 1904. The museum and its exhibits occupy approximately 10,000 square feet of space.
Exhibits
The museum showcases events starting with the incorporation of the City of Natchez in 1716 to the present, using art, photographs, manuscripts, artifacts, and books.[2] Exhibits cover the era of slavery, the Civil War, Reconstruction, 20th Century wars and the Civil rights era.[3] They include Forks of the Road, which was the second largest slave market in the southern United States, and which has received international recognition by the United Nations because of its role in the international slave trade; also known for the famed enslaved Prince Abdul Rahman Ibrahima ibn Sori, The Rhythm Nightclub fire, where over 200 African American Natchez citizens died; an exhibit dedicated to the literary works of critically acclaimed author Richard Wright, a Natchez native.[4] The museum also hosts educational events and presentations.[5]
In February 2016, as part of its participation in Black History Month events, the Museum held its inaugural Natchez Hip Hop Summit, with Hip hop music performances and a panel discussion on hip hop in relation to racial identity.[6]
In February 2022 the museum opened a new permanent exhibit honoring the life of Daisy C. Newman, an African American soprano soloist and music educator who earned the nickname “Black Butterfly” for her portrayal of Cio-Cio San in the opera “Madame Butterfly.” Newman was born in Natchez in 1947 and died 2021. She performed on stages worldwide and was nominated for a Tony award for her performance in “Porgy and Bess.” The exhibit features a portrait of Newman, donated to the museum by her sister, Dorothy Hills, along with videos of Newman’s performances.[7] The museum’s executive director, Bobby Dennis, noted, “I knew Ms. Newman. Her talent and accolades went far beyond Mississippi. Her acclaim was international.” [8]