The International African American Museum, a project that has been 23 years in the making, officially opens to the public today at 10 a.m. at the site of the old Gadsden Wharf on 14 Wharfside St. Tickets, however, are said to be sold out for the week. As of this morning, the first available tickets are July 5.
SPECIAL: Check out Charleston City Paper‘s 48-page special section on the IAAM, featuring articles detailing the influences of West African cuisine in Lowcountry cooking, influence of Charleston jazz, the history of Porgy and Bess, a timeline of African American history in South Carolina and more.
A community celebration and dedication ceremony was held June 24 over the much anticipated $125 million museum, with many guests, including U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., and former Charleston Mayor Joe Riley — who spearheaded the idea and pushed it into reality.
The first visitors to the museum will experience a special exhibition called “Men of Change: Power. Triumph. Truth,” which is designed to showcase Black men from the past and present who have altered the history and culture of the U.S. through politics, sports, science, entertainment, business and religion. Curators say the exhibit is meant to serve as a metaphor for the thousands of significant African American men who are rendered invisible by a society that does not understand how to see them.
The museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the last entry time at 4 p.m. Museum staffers recommend visitors plan to spend approximately one to two hours experiencing the interior of the Museum and another 30 to 60 minutes exploring the African Ancestors Memorial Garden, which contains monuments, features, and opportunities for reflection.
In other headlines:
CP: Charleston mixed media artist talks about creative process. Mixed media artist Rolf Anthony Young creates abstract artworks using different mediums found in collages, digital media, paintings and even fashion. Young creates his art through experimentation and a deep passion for the creative process.
CARTA receives almost $26M for new depot, buses. The Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority received almost $26 million from the Federal Transit Administration for several upgrades, including a new transit hub in North Charleston and more electric buses.
S.C. gas prices rise nearly 10 cents per gallon in past week. The average price for a gallon of regular gas in the Palmetto State is eight cents higher than last week, averaging $3.17 across the state.
City of Charleston officially proclaims June as Pride Month. The City of Charleston officially proclaimed the month of June as Pride Month, stating that it serves “an opportunity to promote awareness, education, and acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals and their contributions to our society, as well as address the challenges they still faced in achieving full equality.”
Charleston Co. approves $5K teacher bonuses. The Charleston County School District Board unanimously approved a $5,000 bonus for teachers that would use ESSER III funds, which are specifically held to provide emergency relief for local elementary and secondary schools if needed.
Saks Fifth making a possible return to Charleston. Nearly 13 years after closing its King Street department store, Saks Fifth Avenue is plotting a return to the Holy City with its Fifth Avenue Club, a newly launched network of standalone “styling suites” and an offshoot of its in-store personal shopping service.
- To get dozens of South Carolina news stories every business day, contact the folks at SC Clips.
Help keep the City Paper free.
No paywalls.
No subscription cost.
Free delivery at 800 locations.
Help support independent journalism by donating today.