African American Cultural and Historical Museum of Washtenaw County
Celebrating a Permanent Home
Our Mission
To research, collect, preserve and exhibit cultural and historical materials about the life and work of African Americans in Washtenaw County. Click on the Timeline and read about the past programs, tours, exhibits and collaborations the AACHM has been part of over the years. Check out the Facebook page for the past years of activity,
The only Museum dedicated to the preservation of Black history in Washtenaw County
On February 6, 1993 Dr. Margaret Burroughs, co-founder of the DuSable Museum in Chicago, spoke at the Delta Psi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority on Founders’ Day. The theme was “Celebrating African Identity Through the Arts””. She challenged those in attendance to start an African American Museum in Washtenaw County. The first organizational meeting was held on March 13 and the challenge issued by Margaret Burroughs was shared with the greater community. And the many, many people from the community responded with volunteer hours, financial donations, board of trustee service, ad hoc and standing committee work, and memberships.
Founded in 1993 as a museum without walls, the African American Cultural and Historical Museum of Washtenaw County (AACHM) has presented hundreds of programs, tours and events, curated exhibits at a variety of locations throughout the county, collaborated and partnered with several institutions and organizations to present local Black history and created and conducted historic Underground Railroad programs and bus tours of Washtenaw County.
The Museum's permanent home is a recently renovated farmhouse, located in an historic district at 3261 Lohr Road, Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Museum is open on Saturdays and Sundays, 12 noon-4pm and weekdays by appointment. Email info@aachm.org or call 734-761-1717