Northwest African American Museum, Seattle, WA

Nearly 30 years after the idea surfaced, the Northwest African American Museum (NAAM) in Seattle finally opened its doors this past weekend. The first museum devoted to African American history in Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho and British Columbia, NAAM is part of the new $23 million Urban League Village at the former Colman School (built 1909), which will also contain 36 units of mixed income housing for “artists, historians, teachers, and others who would be attracted by the activities of the museum. The 19,000 square-foot facility houses three major exhibition spaces. The Journey Gallery features dual timelines of the history of African-Americans in the Northwest and the nation from 1788 to the present, with many artifacts contributed by local African American residents and organizations. The displays point out the achievements of the black community but also reflect everyday lives. Others are the Northwest Gallery, in which rotating, in-depth displays look at the work and contributions of specific individuals, and the Legacy Gallery, which will host performances, meetings, community events and traveling exhibits. The museum also features a multimedia learning center, along with a genealogical research area where visitors can trace their family histories. In the future, the outside area will feature a sculpture garden.

For more information, call 206-267-4828 or visit www.naamnw.org.

Northwest African American Museum
2300 S. Massachusetts Street
Seattle, WA 98144
Tel. 206.267.1823
Email: info@naamnw.org
Official Website
Map & Driving Directions

Additional Information Sources:

• African Americans in the Modern Northwest, University of Washington
• Black Heritage Society of Washington State
• African American and Seattle’s Civil Rights History
• The Black Past: Remembered & Reclaimed, Blackpast.org
• African American History in the Northwest, The Vancouver Voice