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WELCOME!

The African American Heritage Society begins its 34th season this October! Be sure to be on the lookout for our upcoming events as we continue to serve Pensacola and the Gulf Coast!




ABOUT US

Celebrating Diversity for Thirty-three (33) Years.

The African American Heritage Society, Inc. was founded September 12,1990 as a 501(c) 3 organization and has operated continuously with vision and purpose for thirty-three (33) years. 

Our mission is to preserve, promote, and integrate African American history, heritage, culture and diversity in Pensacola and the Greater Gulf Coast Region through education and the humanities, and to continue to lead the area in supporting and promoting Cultural Tourism in Northwest Florida.

Through quality programming, the African American Heritage Society ("the Society") has offered retrospective exhibits in the visual arts and humanities, performing arts programs, cultural festivals, as well as educational lectures, all highlighting a broad spectrum of the African American unique and creative influences and contributions to American life. 

Please click the link above entitled 'chronological history & record of events' for a listing of the many transformative presentations that we have presented in Pensacola and the surrounding Greater Gulf Coast Region.

                 

                            

The Historic "Coulson House" was built in 1865 and has been the Headquarters of the African American Heritage Society for twenty-two (22) years. Prior to our location here, we were at the Pensacola Cultural Center which is also in the Historical District, from 1990 to 2000. The above photo is of the entrance to the Gallery.


Non Discrimination Statement:

The African American Heritage Society, Inc. was also founded upon the principles of diversity and inclusion. The Society does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, ethnicity, color, sexual orientation, nor disability. Employment opportunities, membership, attendance and access to our center, gallery, programs, and events are open to ALL, and we invite you to join us.


OPEN HOURS

Please visit us at 200 Church Street in Pensacola's Downtown Historic District

We are  open:

Tuesday 10am-2pm

Thursday 10am-2pm

Saturday 10am-4pm

Group Tours available all days - by Appointment only

We currently have 2 exhibits on display: "Africans in the Americas" and "A More Complete American History".

For scheduling large group visits please contact us at AAHSPensacola@gmail.com



This Gallery Exhibit was acquired from The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture which is located at and generously supported by The 


Permanent Exhibit

ON DISPLAY NOW

The African Presence in the Americas from the year 1492 - 1992


This exhibit was curated by the Schomburg Center for Research, a division of The New York Public Library. The exhibit chronicles the history of African American people, the history, culture, music, foodways, and contributions made to America since the year 1492.





Back due to Popular Demand - Our "More Complete American History" Exhibit

This exhibit explores a more complete history of America which includes Americans of African ancestry. 

On Display Now at the African American Heritage Society Gallery 

Pensacola's Historic District at

200 Church Street

Pensacola, FL 32502

                               

              


 


African Americans and the Fourth of July

The Fourth of July has a unique history for African Americans. While it highlights the establishment of the United States as an independent nation, throwing off its colonial chains, it also represents a unique dynamic that African Americans have with this nation and the veterans who date back to the American Revolution.

African Americans and the Revolutionary War starts with the war’s first casualty: Crispus Attucks. Attucks was a free black and indigenous man who died during the Boston Massacre. His life would later serve as an example of African American involvement in the founding of U.S. by abolitionists.

Also during the American Revolution there are examples of African Americans serving in the U.S. military against its enemies. The 1st Rhode Island Regiment, also known as the “Black Regiment” was brought into the Revolutionary War in early 1778. They saw their first combat experience in the Battle of Rhode Island in August of 1778. Thanks to the Slave Enlistment Act it also freed all enslaved men who volunteered to join the “Black Regiment”. Compensation was paid to their former masters, but Washington was desperate for a boost to his forces.

During the Civil War, Frederick Douglas also spoke on this dynamic between formerly enslaved African Americans and the U.S. military, believing that African Americans could show their commitment to the United States by serving in its Armed Forces where allowed, which would show our right to be free. He declared to formerly enslaved men “rise up in the dignity of our manhood, and show by our own right arms that we are worthy to be freemen.” in his piece “Men of Color to Arms! Now or Never!” 



From the American Revolution to the Civil War there are numerous examples of African Americans serving a country that didn’t recognize their freedom or citizenship. In the years after the Civil War there is also a deep history of African Americans continuing to serve in major conflicts like World War I and World War II. The latter of which created the dignity and gumption that fueled the Civil Rights Movement and led to mass systemic change in the treatment of African Americans. From the American Revolution to the present African Americans have continued to fight for this nation while simultaneously fighting for our rights. As we reflect on this Independence Day we remember both where we’ve begun and where we still have left to go. Happy Independence Day!


-Dashaun Mckenzie





MARCH IS WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

THE AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE SOCIETY READERS' ENSEMBLE

will perform at the BOOKS BY THE BAY 1st Annual Book Festival

Join us on Saturday, March 23, 2024 at 12 noon at Museum Plaza, 120 Church Street, Downtown Historic District, to support  the Society's Readers' Ensemble!

Our esteemed readers will theatrically read stories and poems from our “When Black Folks Was Colored” book series, which spans 6 volumes, and from "Images in Black- A Pictorial History of Black Pensacola," Volumes 1 and 2. The books will be available for purchase from 1PM to 4PM at the Heritage Society Gallery, located across the street from the venue at 200 Church Street, Downtown Historic District.



This event is funded in part by Florida Humanities with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities.


February Gallery Night - Theme: African American Art, History and Culture 

Friday February 16 the African American Heritage Society hosted a performance and table at Gallery Night!

Audience members were treated to a performance by Lepoleon Williams and the Polimbtree Drummers! We sold merchandise, books and other items.

Be sure to come see us at the Coulson House during open hours each week and stay tuned for more events!



Join us this Friday at Gallery Night for a night celebrating African American culture!

The African American Heritage Society will have a booth in front of the Artel Art Gallery and a live drum performances by Lepoleon Williams and the Polimbatree Drummers at 6pm INSIDE the Artel Gallery. 

We will be there with books and branded merchandise from 5pm-8pm!



We are available to host group tours!

To schedule a group tour of our Museum or the African American History Trail, email us at aahspensacola@gmail.com



 Stated in an address to the National Urban League in 1946:

"We must make every effort [to ensure] that the past injustice, violence and economic discrimination will be made known to the people."

"The taboo, the 'let's-not-talk-about-it' must be broken."

  Albert Einstein


To learn more about Mr. Einstein's commitment to Social Justice

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/how-celebrity-scientist-albert-einstein-used-fame-denounce-american-racism-180962356/



___________________________________________ 

Board of Directors

President - Angela McCorvey, Ph.D.

Dayle Hawthorn, M. D.

Rev. Edward Hayes

Chris Hendricks

Marion Williams, Ph.D,

Keya Wiggins, Ph.D.

______________________________________

                  Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder:  Dr. Cheryl Howard

________________________________________
                 

*FOUNDING CIRCLE MEMBERSHIP:

Laurel Boyd, Ph.D.

Jim Boyd, M.D.

Saundra Daggs

The Late Leon Daggs

Dr. and Mrs. Lamont Canada

The Late Judge and Mrs. Howard Bennett

Dr. Lornetta T. Epps, Co-Founder

*You may also become a founding circle life-time member, click on membership above for details.


One Moment Please!

If you would like to see more programming like this, and those events that are listed above under our Chronological History and Record of Events, please click on membership to join us, or donate to make a contribution. 

THE AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE SOCIETY IS A 501(C)(3) NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION.

Donations ID: CH2065                                                  ALL DONATIONS ARE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE.



Our Events and Programs are Sponsored By:

           

 


Historic District

The Coulson House

200 Church Street | Pensacola, Florida 32502

Email: aahspensacola@gmail.com