Hempstead, 110 North Franklin Street
516-572-0730
Open: Tuesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; open Tuesday and Thursday until 9 p.m.
Admission: Free

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A centerpiece of African American history and culture on Long Island since 1970, this 6,000-square-foot museum, centrally located in Hempstead, offers a rotating series of exhibits showcasing local and national African-American artists. The museum also holds numerous community-based events, including celebrations of Black History Month and the lives of historical figures such as Martin Luther King, Jr., and Malcolm X, along with educational programs.

The Museum also houses the African Atlantic Genealogy Society, Inc., which provides workshops and individual research instruction into family genealogy, as well as the E-Learning Program, providing instruction for visitors of all ages in how to conduct research.

The African American Museum was granted the 2005 Museum Preservation Award by American Legacy magazine, one of only 10 museums to be honored for work done to preserve African-American history and culture.

African American Museum Extends Weusi Artists Collective Exhibit Through May 9

The African American Museum of Nassau County has extended through May 9 its current exhibit featuring work of the Weusi Artists Collective, announced Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi. Admission is free.

The exhibit, which opened in February, includes more than 100 works of art, including paintings, sculptures and multimedia art. The exhibit is sponsored by the Moneta Sleet Foundation.

The Weusi Artist Collective consists of Harlem-based artists who formed the Collective in the 1960s. The theme of their work involves the pivotal shift in ideology prompted by the artists’ experience during the early 1960s, including the impact of the Civil Rights movement. Visitors to the museum may request a handout that covers the history and development of the Weusi Artists Collective, written by one of the artists.

"African heritage is a common theme in their work, but unlike some other collectives or movements, their work maintains individual originality and aesthetic diversity,” says David Byre-Tyre, museum director.

The museum is also starting its summer programs for children and adults. Call the museum for details and to register; additional fees apply for program registration. 

For more information about the Weusi Artists Collective, visit www.weusiproject.com.