The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, located at 315 East Warren Avenue in Detroit’s Midtown Cultural Center, is one of the world’s largest and oldest institutions dedicated to African American history and culture. Founded in 1965 by Dr. Charles H. Wright, this 125,000-square-foot museum houses over 35,000 artefacts and serves as a vital repository for the African American experience, with a mission to “open minds and change lives” through education and storytelling.
The museum’s 22,000-square-foot core exhibit, And Still We Rise: Our Journey Through African American History and Culture, is a cornerstone, guiding visitors through over 20 galleries that trace African American resilience from ancient African kingdoms through the Middle Passage, slavery, emancipation, the Civil Rights Movement, and modern achievements. Highlights include:
A life-size slave ship replica with accounts of survivors, offering a visceral depiction of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Displays on the Underground Railroad, Plessy v. Ferguson, and Dred Scott cases, with detailed signage that some visitors note could benefit from brighter lighting for readability.
Detroit-specific stories, emphasise the city’s role in the Civil Rights Movement and labour history, such as the contributions of Motown and local activists.
The exhibit is moving and Hollywood-like,”with immersive sets, theatrical recordings, and audio-visual elements that evoke joy, sadness, and inspiration. Signature exhibits include:
- And Still We Rise: A Journey Through African American History and Culture: This permanent, 22,000-square-foot exhibit is the museum’s heart, offering a comprehensive narrative from Africa to the Americas. It features interactive displays, first-person perspectives, and artefacts like Underground Railroad documents, letters from Malcolm X, and Rosa Parks’ memorabilia, celebrating African American resilience and contributions.
- Ring of Genealogy: Located in the Ford Freedom Rotunda under a 65-foot glass dome, this 37-foot terrazzo tile installation by artist Hubert Massey features bronze nameplates of prominent African Americans, from Harriet Tubman to modern figures, symbolising their enduring legacy.
- Blanche Coggin Underground Railroad Collection: A significant collection of documents and artefacts detailing the Underground Railroad’s role in aiding enslaved people to freedom, with a focus on Detroit’s key position as a gateway to Canada.
- National Museum of the Tuskegee Airmen: Housed within the Wright, this exhibit honours the African American pilots of World War II, featuring archival materials and stories of their courage and impact.
The museum offers self-guided exploration, with most visitors spending 2–3 hours to fully experience the exhibits. Guided tours, included in admission, are led by passionate docents like Rumia Ambrose Burbank, enhancing the experience with personal stories. Audio cues activate automatically in some galleries, though competing sounds can occasionally overlap. An e-guide is available for a holistic experience, and the museum’s layout accommodates wheelchairs and strollers, with complimentary wheelchairs available (call 313-494-5800 to reserve).
Open Tuesday–Wednesday and Friday–Sunday (9:00 AM–5:00 PM), Thursday (9:00 AM–7:00 PM), closed Mondays and major holidays (New Year’s Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas). Admission is $15 for adults (18–61), $12 for seniors (62+) and youth (6–17), free for members and children 5 and under. Premiere exhibitions, like KING TUTANKHAMUN, require an additional $10 ticket (except for children 5 and under). Bank of America and Merrill Lynch cardholders receive free entry on the first full weekend of each month with proof of account. Group rates for 15+ people are available; contact the museum for details.
Located near the Detroit Institute of Arts (0.1 miles) and Michigan Science Center, the museum is accessible via the QLine streetcar (Farnsworth stop) or SMART bus routes (562, 563). The Cultural Center Parking Lot on John R. Street costs $7 per vehicle, with metered parking ($1–$2/hour) on Warren, Farnsworth, and Brush Streets via the ParkDetroit app. Visitors with mobility needs should park on Upper Farnsworth to avoid stairs. Elevators and ramps ensure full accessibility, and buses can drop off at the Warren Avenue entrance.
Food, drink, and gum are allowed in public areas but prohibited in exhibition spaces. The museum store offers ethically sourced, sustainable African and African American art, books, shirts, and sweatshirts. The 317-seat theatre hosts film screenings, lectures, and performances, while the Louise Lovett Wright Library and Robert L. Hurst Research Center provide scholarly resources (access by appointment).
Review sites praise the museum’s immersive exhibits and Detroit focus, with many calling it a “must-see” comparable to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. Some note occasional tech glitches or audio overlap, and lighting could be improved for reading signage. The experience is recommended for families, though parents should prepare children for emotionally heavy content. Expect 2–3 hours for a full visit, with advance ticket reservations advised via thewright.org.
The Charles H. Wright Museum celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2025, marking six decades since Dr. Charles Wright founded the International Afro-American Museum in 1965. The year brings new exhibitions, events, and improvements, reflecting its mission to elevate Black voices and stories:
Launched in March 2025, the anniversary is a year-long focus on the museum’s history and future, with special programming and community engagement. A contemporary art exhibition, Charles H. Wright Museum’s Celebration of Detroit’s Black Artists (Spring 2025–Winter 2026), invites local Black artists to submit up to three works inspired by Dr. Wright, the museum, Detroit, or the African American experience. Curated to align with the museum’s mission, it highlights Detroit’s vibrant art scene.
History
The Charles H. Wright Museum was founded in 1965 as the International Afro-American Museum (IAM) by Dr. Charles H. Wright, a Detroit obstetrician inspired by a Danish World War II memorial to preserve African American history. Initially housed in a West Grand Boulevard home, the IAM featured African masks, instruments, and inventions by figures like Elijah McCoy, with a mobile exhibit touring Michigan. By 1978, outgrowing its space, the museum partnered with the City of Detroit to build a 28,000-square-foot facility at 301 Frederick Street, opening in 1987. In 1992, Detroit voters approved bonds for a larger, 125,000-square-foot building on Warren Avenue, designed by Sims-Varner & Associates with African architectural influences. Opened in 1997 and renamed for Dr. Wright in 1998, it became the world’s largest African American history museum.
The museum houses over 35,000 artefacts, including the Blanche Coggin Underground Railroad Collection, Harriet Tubman Collection, and Sheffield Collection on Detroit’s labour movement. It has hosted significant events, like Rosa Parks’ (2005) and Aretha Franklin’s (2018) memorial viewings, and is home to the National Museum of the Tuskegee Airmen. As a member of the National Park Service’s African American Civil Rights Network since 2023, it continues to centre Detroit’s role in civil rights and cultural history, with And Still We Rise as its flagship exhibit.
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