International African American Museum to open in Charleston this June

The International African American Museum (IAAM) in Charleston announced it will officially open to the public on June 27. 

“We’re excited to open IAAM’s doors and showcase the incredible breadth of African American history,” said Dr. Tonya Matthews, president and CEO of IAAM. 

Originally scheduled for Jan. 21, the museum’s opening was delayed to stabilize humidity and temperature levels in the building. A number of community events are planned leading up to the IAAM’s opening on Juneteenth, including an opening ceremony scheduled for June 24.

Standing on the site of Gadsden’s Wharf — one of the nation’s most infamous and prolific former slave trading ports — the IAAM will include nine core exhibition galleries, a special exhibition gallery and a “floating” gallery that weaves contemporary art throughout the museum. The Center for Family History, a genealogy and ancestry resource center, will also be housed in the museum. 

More than 700 artifacts dating from the 17th century to contemporary objects will be found in the IAAM, along with 1,000 image and media collection pieces. Each item helps connect the Black American journey to its roots and connections to African and African Diaspora communities and cultures. 

“IAAM strives not only to provide a space for all visitors to celebrate and connect to this history, to these stories, and to this art, but also to find meaning within their own stories,” Matthews said. “The African American journey is far longer than the 20 years it took to build this museum and we are humbly proud to step up and play our part in this story. It is time.”

For more information, visit iaamuseum.org or call 843-872-5352.