Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture

Learn about a Maryland's African American History and Culture Museum.

A short (1.4 mile) distance south from our condo on I-83 (President Street), at the corner of S President and E. Pratt Streets, just at the edge of the Inner Harbor, stands the distinct red, black and yellow profile of the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture. Opened in 2005, the museum’s contemporary, open-space design dramatically showcases the artworks, documents, and other objects in its collection.

“I think the Elizabeth Catlett exhibit provides us powerful images of Black womanhood and motherhood. I believe the exhibit resonates with a lot of people, who can see themselves in these images of female empowerment and womanhood.” - Jenn Biddle (Marketing & Communications Manager, The Reginald F. Lewis Museum)

The “Building Maryland, Building America” permanent exhibit highlights the contributions of African American Marylanders who worked on farms, and on ships and in shipyards; in iron and steel mills and canneries; as well as in the fields of medicine, law, law enforcement, education, Arctic exploration, sports, arts and literature, and beyond. The exhibit reminds us that, in recounting our state’s and nation’s history, African Americans’ contributions have too frequently been overlooked. One such sobering example is Maryland representative, Associate Supreme Court Justice Samuel Chase, and signatory of the U.S. Declaration of Independence—commemorated in the naming of one of the two intersecting streets on which our condo is located—who was also a slaveowner, and thus enriched himself directly from the labor of enslaved African Americans in our state.

Currently on view is the Elizabeth Catlett: Artist as Activist exhibit, through March 1. The exhibit showcases many of Catlett’s iconic and powerful depictions of black female activists and freedom fighters, artists, and laborers, and archetypal black female heads, masks and Madonna-and-child images. It also narrates Catlett’s journey from young artist, student, and educator in various US cities to graphic artist, sculptor, and activist in Mexico. Certain works pay homage to the contributions, loving kindness and strength of black men, such as the lithograph New Generation, a moving depiction of a father holding his young son while each gazes steadily into the other’s eyes. Another special exhibit, “EMPOWERED! Black Action Figures, Superheroes and Collectibles,” runs through February 23

.

The museum also hosts special events including the MLK Celebration on January 20 and various events in February in honor of Black History Month. These include films, talks, a special wine-and-chocolate event for Valentine’s Day, and other specially-themed and priced days such as Johns Hopkins Day (February 8) and Elizabeth Catlett Family Day (February 22).

More information on the museum, including hours of operation, exhibitions, special events, membership, and parking, can be found on its website HERE.