International African American Museum

International African American Museum Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from International African American Museum, Nonprofit Organization, 14 Wharfside Street, Charleston, SC.
(7)

Located on the site where almost half of all African captives arrived in the U.S., the International African American Museum will share the untold stories of the African American journey at one of our country's most sacred sites. Located on the site where almost half of all African captives arrived in the U.S., the International African American Museum will present the largely untold experiences and accomplishments of Americans of African descent.

What if the missing pieces of your family's story are already waiting in an undiscovered document or your DNA?In this up...
08/12/2026

What if the missing pieces of your family's story are already waiting in an undiscovered document or your DNA?

In this upcoming episode of the African American Untold Stories Podcast, our Center for Family History (CFH) team sits down with acclaimed authors Melvin Collier, Michael Willis, Kathy Marshall, and Orice Jenkins. They will discuss how genealogy and DNA testing transform family research into powerful published narratives—from books and stage plays to documentaries and digital media.

If you value reclaiming family legacies and bringing hidden history to light, this will be a essential space to join in on the conversation. Tune in online Saturday, August 15, for the CFH podcast episode "The Importance of Telling African American Stories Through Genealogy and DNA."

Details: https://iaamuseum.org/event/the-importance-of-telling-african-american-stories-through-genealogy-and-dna/

08/10/2026

Honor living traditions and celebrate Black artistry.✊🏿🌹
 
Inspired by our special exhibition “middle of somewhere: the art and the legacy of Black Southern makers,” join us for a special edition of our Young Griots Workshop Series: The Art of the Palmetto Rose!

Learn the historic Lowcountry craft directly from master artisans of the Palmetto Rose Company. Discover and learn more on the rich Gullah Geechee history behind the palmetto frond and gain hands-on experience weaving your very own bouquet to take home!
 
🗓️ Dates: Saturday, August 15 & Saturday, September 5
⏰ Times: 11:00 AM – 2:15 PM (Three 45-min sessions)
 
Workshop access is included with museum admission, but spots are limited for each session! Plan your visit at iaamuseum.org.

(🎥: Wright’s Production LLC)
 

Living legends walking our halls! ⚾️✊🏿Today, we had the profound honor of welcoming members of the historic Cannon Stree...
08/08/2026

Living legends walking our halls! ⚾️✊🏿
Today, we had the profound honor of welcoming members of the historic Cannon Street All-Stars to the International African American Museum.

They were joined by our President and CEO, Dr. Tonya M. Matthews, and Chief Learning and Engagement Officer, Malika N. Pryor, to reflect on a legacy that forever changed sports history.

In 1955, this all-Black Little League baseball team from the Cannon Street YMCA right here in Charleston was denied the opportunity to play in the state tournament. When all 61 white Little League teams in South Carolina boycotted rather than integrate, the All-Stars were declared state champions by default—yet they were still heartbreakingly barred from competing on the field at the Little League World Series. At IAAM, our core mission is to illuminate these untold stories of unimaginable resilience, dignity, and the enduring pursuit of equality.

Join us in celebrating these local heroes this weekend! 🏆 The Cannon Street All-Stars will be honored tomorrow during the Charleston RiverDogs Larry Doby Day game on Sunday, August 9.

Grab your tickets to be part of the celebration and support IAAM with each ticket purchase: https://www.gofevo.com/event/iaamlarrydobyday26

History, heritage, and world-record artistry! 🌾🏅 A massive congratulations to our beloved Corey Alston Gullah Sweetgrass...
08/07/2026

History, heritage, and world-record artistry! 🌾🏅

A massive congratulations to our beloved Corey Alston Gullah Sweetgrass Baskets on officially achieving the Guinness World Records for the world’s largest sweetgrass basket with his masterpiece “Big Percy” at the South Carolina State Museum!

Sweetgrass basketry is a cornerstone of Gullah Geechee culture and South Carolina’s living history—an art form deeply woven into the narrative we help share every day at the International African American Museum. Seeing this craft recognized on a global stage reflects the enduring legacy, skill, and resilience of our community’s storytellers.

Congratulations, Corey, on making history!🎉 Make a trip to Columbia, SC to see this extraordinary piece in person.

At the International African American Museum, serving our community means creating spaces for rest, reflection, and joyf...
08/05/2026

At the International African American Museum, serving our community means creating spaces for rest, reflection, and joyful connection.

Our “Unwind | A Family Wellness Day” on Saturday, August 1, honored African and African American traditions of healing and collective care to help local families recharge for the new school year.  

This community effort was made possible through the generous support of the Cravens Foundation and our incredible partners. Thank you for growing and healing with us—as school begins this week, IAAM wishes all students an empowered return to the classroom! 📚🙌🏿

(📸: Wright’s Production LLC)
 

Hey Charleston high schoolers! Want to make a real impact in your community? We've extended the application deadline for...
07/29/2026

Hey Charleston high schoolers! Want to make a real impact in your community? We've extended the application deadline for our 2026-2027 Youth Advisory Council!

This is your chance to become a cultural changemaker. Work directly with our museum staff and community partners to help preserve and share African American and African Diasporic history. Don't miss this unique opportunity to turn your passion into action!

Ready to get started? The new deadline to submit is Saturday, August 15. Learn more and apply today: https://iaamuseum.org/youth-advisory-council/

07/27/2026

✨ Pause, recharge, and prepare for the new school year. ✨

Join us for “UNWIND | A Family Wellness Day” this Saturday, August 1, from 11AM-3PM here at the IAAM (see a recap of last year’s program to get a glimpse of what it’s all about 🎥)!

As summer soon comes to a close, join us for a FREE afternoon dedicated to rest, reflection, and joyful community connection with interactive experiences for the entire family:

🎒 Back-to-School Resources | A community school supply giveaway to help students kick off the year successfully (available while supplies last).
🧘🏾‍♀️ Mindful Movement & Meditation | Grounding wellness sessions and guided practices to help you find your center.
🧼 Hands-On Creative Workshops | Interactive, culture-rich crafting and wellness activities for all ages.
🍛 Nourishment & Holistic Health | Live demonstrations and insightful conversations focused on healthy living, food, and community care.
🌱 Sensory Garden Walks & Art | Reflective, immersive experiences throughout our beautiful space to encourage mindfulness.

Register to attend: https://iaamuseum.org/event/unwind-a-family-wellness-day-2026/

(🎥: Your World On Film)

Unlock a full year of discovery, heritage, and connection for just $18.65. 🏛️For the rest of July, we are offering a spe...
07/18/2026

Unlock a full year of discovery, heritage, and connection for just $18.65. 🏛️

For the rest of July, we are offering a special, on-site only promotion for first-time IAAM members. You can secure an individual IAAM membership—regularly a $60 value—for a price that honors a monumental year in American history.

Becoming a member means more than just free entry—it means joining a community dedicated to preserving, celebrating, and sharing the untold stories of the African American journey.

This limited-time offer is available in person only at our ticketing desk. Stop by this month, activate your membership, and make the museum a place you return to again and again. Plan your visit: iaamuseum.org/plan-your-visit.

Who are the ancestors waiting to be discovered in your family tree? 🌳✨Every name, every document, and every photograph h...
07/17/2026

Who are the ancestors waiting to be discovered in your family tree? 🌳✨

Every name, every document, and every photograph holds a story. At the International African American Museum’s Center for Family History (CFH), we provide the resources, guidance, and archives to help you trace your roots, bridge generational gaps, and reclaim your family’s unique heritage.

Genealogy is more than just dates on a page—it is a deeply personal journey of connection and honor. Whether you are just beginning to dig into your lineage or trying to break through a brick wall in your research, our center is designed to help you piece your history together right here at Gadsden’s Wharf.

Your story is waiting. Come uncover it.

Begin your genealogy journey and explore our resources at iaamuseum.org/center-for-family-history.

A Sacred Harvest: Honoring Ancestors and Gullah Geechee Tradition at IAAMWitness the profound connection between heritag...
07/16/2026

A Sacred Harvest: Honoring Ancestors and Gullah Geechee Tradition at IAAM

Witness the profound connection between heritage and the land at the International African American Museum. In these images, acclaimed Gullah Geechee artist and cultural ambassador Corey Alston Gullah Sweetgrass Baskets harvests sweetgrass directly from our African Ancestors Memorial Garden.

This ground at Gadsden’s Wharf is sacred. It’s where nearly 40 percent of all enslaved Africans brought to North America first arrived. Our garden, designed by landscape architect Walter Hood, honors their memory, and the sweetgrass field here serves as a living link to that legacy.

Sweetgrass weaving is a descendant of African cultural practices, sustained by the Gullah Geechee community for hundreds of years. The art originated as a vital tool—handwoven fanner baskets used on rice plantations to separate chaff from grain. Today, it stands as a testament to resilience and an essential pillar of American cultural history.

Corey Alston, a fifth-generation basket weaver, is a vital steward of this craft. His work, which honors his heritage while evolving through bold new expressions, has been commissioned by prestigious institutions including the Smithsonian, the Museum of Arts and Design, and recently, the South Carolina State Museum, where he unveiled "Big Percy," a massive, commissioned sweetgrass basket masterpiece. When you see his work—or the sweetgrass he harvests from our garden—you are connecting with a living, evolving history.

Discover the history and heritage of the Lowcountry. Plan your visit at iaamuseum.org/plan-your-visit.

(📸: )

Address

14 Wharfside Street
Charleston, SC
29401

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+18438725352

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when International African American Museum posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to International African American Museum:

Shortcuts

Share

Category