The John G. Riley Center & Museum

09/23/2026

Just a friendly reminder that our open house celebrating John G. Riley’s 169th birthday is tomorrow, September 24!

Stop by the John G. Riley House & Museum anytime between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to celebrate Mr. Riley and learn more about his incredible legacy in Tallahassee.

09/04/2026

We have some exciting things coming up at the John G. Riley Center & Museum, and there are several opportunities to celebrate with us this fall!

On Saturday, September 19, we’ll be gathering for the Culture Keepers Podcast Season Finale Watch Party. The celebration will bring together museum staff, community members, and special guests for a morning centered around history, culture, and the legacy of John Gilmore Riley.

Just a few days later, on Thursday, September 24, we’ll be celebrating Mr. Riley’s 169th birthday. Stop by the museum anytime between 10 AM and 3 PM for our Birthday Open House. Admission is free, making it a great opportunity to visit the museum, take in our current exhibit, and spend some time learning about the remarkable life of the man whose legacy continues to shape our work.

Then in December, we’ll mark a major milestone of our own. Join us on Thursday, December 3, for an open house from 10 AM to 3 PM. Come visit the museum, explore our current exhibit before it comes down, and celebrate 30 years of the Riley Museum with us.

Three events. Two important milestones. One incredible legacy.

We hope you’ll celebrate with us!

09/03/2026

The John G. Riley Center & Museum is excited to welcome Jackson Gianchetta as a Fall intern!

Jackson is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in political science with a minor in History at Florida State University. His previous experience in journalism and communications has allowed him to develop skills in writing and editing, interviewing, public speaking, multimedia production, and community-focused storytelling.

At the Riley, Jackson will have the opportunity to build upon these skills while developing hands-on experience in museum research, interpretation, and public history. Throughout the semester, he will assist with a variety of projects and gain a closer understanding of how research and historical sources inform the stories museums share with their communities.

We are delighted to welcome Jackson to the Riley team and look forward to working with him as he begins his internship with us this Fall!

07/31/2026

Explore our current exhibit, African Americans in Tallahassee: The World Wars and Post-War Life

Discover the remarkable stories of Tallahassee's African American community during World War I, World War II, and the years that followed at the John G. Riley Center & Museum. Through historic photographs, artifacts, replicas, and oral histories, this exhibition explores the courage, sacrifice, and perseverance of local and regional African Americans who served both overseas and on the home front.

From military service and community resilience to the enduring pursuit of equality, the exhibition offers a powerful look at how global conflict shaped lives in Tallahassee and helped lay the groundwork for the Civil Rights Movement.

On view through December 2026, join us for a tour to explore an important chapter of local and national history. Plan your visit today!

Learn more at https://www.rileymuseum.org/

07/24/2026

Earlier this summer, we were honored to welcome Gregory S. Cooke for an engaging presentation on the Black Rosies—the African American women whose contributions to the Second World War helped shape history.

We're happy to spotlight the Basil and Becky Educational Foundation, founded by filmmaker and historian Gregory S. Cooke. The Foundation is dedicated to educating current and future generations through storytelling that illuminates the cultural and historical experiences of African Americans and people of African descent. Their work seeks to "fill in the gaps" of history, ensuring these stories remain accessible and relevant for generations to come.

Learn more by following the Foundation on social media and visiting BBEEF.org.

07/15/2026

Calling all artists!

The John G. Riley Center & Museum is seeking three emerging artists to create original works inspired by the people, events, and enduring legacy of Leon County's Civil Rights Movement.

Selected artists will each receive a $2,000 commission, and their artwork will become part of the John G. Riley Center & Museum's permanent collection while being featured in our 2027 exhibition.

We're looking for artists who are passionate about using their creativity to tell stories, preserve history, and inspire future generations. If you're an early-career artist from Tallahassee or Leon County, we'd love to see your vision.

Scan the QR code in the graphic to learn more about the project, submission requirements, and how to apply. Additional information can also be found at the link below:
https://tallahasseearts.org/classified/john-g-riley-center-and-museum-call-for-artists/

Please help us spread the word by sharing this opportunity with artists, students, and creatives in our community.

07/09/2026

A friendly reminder that the final lecture in our annual lecture series is happening tonight!

Join us this evening for a special presentation, "Remembering the Tuskegee Airmen," by Dr. A.J. Brickler. Dr. Brickler will explore the history and legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen, the first African American military aviators in the U.S. Armed Forces, and their extraordinary service during World War II and lasting impact on American history.

Thursday, July 9
6:00–8:00 PM
LeRoy Collins Leon County Main Library
Free and open to the public. Registration is encouraged, but not required.

We hope you'll join us as we conclude another wonderful season of programs with this inspiring presentation.

Learn more and register here:

Join us for an evening with the Riley Museum where we learn about the Tuskegee Airmen, the first African American military pilots. Dr. Brickler highlights their courageous service and key contributions during World War II, and their lasting legacy in advancing military integration and civil rights.

06/24/2026

You won't want to miss the second installation of our lecture series celebrating America 250! An exciting Lunch and Learn program will take place this Friday, June 26, at 12:00 PM at the LeRoy Collins Leon County Main Library.

Lunch and Learn with the Riley Museum: Defending Democracy - African American Soldiers in the World Wars will be presented by archivist Lisa Keith-Lucas of Camp Gordon Johnston. Through this engaging presentation, Lisa will examine the experiences of African American soldiers during World War I and World War II, highlighting their service, sacrifice, and perseverance in the face of discrimination while fighting to defend democracy abroad.

Registration is encouraged, but not required. To learn more about the program and let us know you'll be joining us, please visit the link below:

https://www.rileymuseum.org/event-details/lunch-and-learn-with-the-riley-museum-defending-democracy-african-american-soldiers-in-the-world-wars

06/17/2026

The John G. Riley Center & Museum is pleased to invite you to our upcoming lecture, An Evening with the Riley Museum: Towards a More Perfect Union—Exploring America’s Civic Timeline, taking place Monday, June 22, at 6:00 p.m. at the Challenger Learning Center of Tallahassee.

In this presentation, historian, author, and social justice leader Dr. Tameka Bradley will examine America's evolving definition of citizenship and voting rights in the century following the Civil War. Beginning with the challenges of incorporating four million newly emancipated African Americans into the nation's civic life, she traces the long struggle for equal political participation through the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and explores the continuing significance of voting rights and electoral politics in the 20th and 21st centuries.

Admission is free, but registration is encouraged.
To learn more and reserve your seat, please visit:

https://www.rileymuseum.org/event-details/an-evening-with-the-riley-museum-towards-a-more-perfect-union-exploring-americas-civic-timeline

We hope to see you there!

Dr. Tameka Bradley explores the nation’s journey toward expanding citizenship and voting rights after the Civil War, highlighting key milestones from Reconstruction into the 21st century.

06/08/2026

Join the John G. Riley Center & Museum this Thursday, June 11, for an evening exploring the often-overlooked contributions of African American women during World War II.

In his lecture, filmmaker and historian Gregory S. Cooke will highlight the stories of the more than 600,000 Black women who supported the war effort while confronting racism and discrimination at home. Their labor, resilience, and determination helped shape both the war effort and the future of civil rights in America.

The lecture will take place at 6:00 p.m. at the Challenger Learning Center of Tallahassee. Admission is free, but registration is encouraged.

Learn more and reserve your spot here: https://www.rileymuseum.org/event-details/an-evening-with-the-riley-museum-black-rosies-the-african-american-heroines-of-wwii

We hope to see you there!

Join us for an evening with the Riley Museum where we hear from Gregory Cooke as he shares the overlooked experiences of African American women during World War II. Drawing from his award-winning documentary Invisible Warriors, he highlights the stories of these trailblazing pioneers.