Rating: 5/5 Stars
There are museums that inform, and there are museums that transform. America’s Black Holocaust Museum at 401 W. North Avenue is the second kind. Founded by James Cameron — a survivor of a near-lynching in 1930 — the museum tells the story of African Americans from the Middle Passage to the present day with honesty, depth, and humanity that will stay with you long after you leave.
What to Expect
The museum’s exhibits trace the history of anti-Black racism in America — from the slave trade through Jim Crow, the Civil Rights Movement, and into the present day. The exhibits don’t shy away from the horror of this history, but they also celebrate the resilience, creativity, and humanity of Black Americans throughout.
The James Cameron Story
The museum’s founder, James Cameron, survived a near-lynching in Marion, Indiana in 1930 when he was 16 years old. His two companions were killed. Cameron spent his life bearing witness to this history, and the museum he founded is his life’s work. His story is at the heart of the museum’s mission.
Why You Should Go
In a city with some of the most persistent racial inequalities in America, the America’s Black Holocaust Museum is essential context. It helps you understand how Milwaukee got where it is, and it honors the people who have always been at the center of the city’s story. Go. Take your children. Take your friends. Come back.
Address: 401 W. North Avenue, Milwaukee | Hours: Check website for current hours | Admission: Varies
