There are approximately 160 Black history museums in the United States. However, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit is touted as the world’s largest institution dedicated to the African-American experience.
In an effort to keep it open as a world-class facility, the museum is holding a membership drive event on Thursday, Feb. 13, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the Detroit Seafood Market, located at 1435 Randolph St. in downtown Detroit.
“This is our annual Black History membership drive,” said Judge Craig Strong, membership drive committee chair. “What better way to celebrate Black history than to support the institution that is dedicated to its history.”
This is the museum’s 30th annual membership drive event. While people are interested in the future of the museum, Craig said that more action versus talk is needed.
“It seems that everyone agrees that the museum is a jewel of our city and a place to be proud of,” Craig said. “Yet, everyone says they are a member, but hardly anyone has a current membership. This upcoming event will give people an opportunity to renew their memberships and purchase new memberships for themselves and as gifts to others.”
Memberships, said Craig, are tax deductible with free unlimited admission, along with a 10 percent discount in the museum’s store, as well as notification of the various events and programs that are ongoing at the museum. Craig said that this year’s annual membership drive goal is to achieve at least 500 memberships.
Like all museum stakeholders, Craig is concerned that Detroit’s current bankruptcy case could negatively impact the future of the institution.
“It is important that we get these memberships now in light of our city‘s bankruptcy which will reflect our museum’s solvency,” said Craig. “As a community, it’s our responsibility to keep the museum open.”
Named for Dr. Charles H. Wright, a local physician who along with several other like-minded Detroiters, the museum originally opened as the International Afro-American Museum in 1965 on West Grand Blvd. After experiencing continuous growth, in 1978, a deal was brokered with the City of Detroit to build a much larger facility in another location. In 1987, after moving and ultimately changing its name to the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, the museum doors opened at its present location at 315 E. Warren in the city’s University Cultural Center.
The Black history institution currently houses more than 30,000 artifacts and archival materials that are generic to the African-American experience in this country for approximately 500 years. In addition, there are seven exhibition spaces dedicated to the epic stories of African Americans.
“There is no other museum of this calibre in the country,” Craig said. “This museum is important so that the stories and achievements of African Americans will be rightfully and truthfully told. If we don’t support our museum, who else will?”
For more information about the membership drive event at Detroit Seafood Market, call 248.310.6512 or 313.494.5884. For more information about exhibits and events at the museum, log on to www.thewright.org.
