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.
Highlights In Black History: March
March 1
Howard University, Washington DC, charted, 1867
March 2
Freedman's Bureau founded for Black Education, 1865
March 3
Richard Allen founded AME Church, 1794
Garrett Morgan, inventor, born 1877 - 1963
March 4
Crispus Attucks died, 1723 - 1770
March 6
Dred Scott Supreme Court decision declares black Americans are not citizens of the U.S., 1857
March 9
Harriet Tubman, "engineer" of the Underground Railroad, died, 1821 - 1913
March 11
Benjamin Banneker with L'Enfant began to lay out Washington in the District of Columbia, 1789
March 12
Jeanne Baptiste Pointe de Sable founded settlement now known as Chicago, Ill, 1773
March 13
Eli Whitney patented the cotton gin, based on the ideas and plans of a slave, 1794
Fannie Lou Hamer, freedom fighter, died 1977
Absalom Jones ordained first Black priest in Episcopal Church
March 14
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church founded, 1821, New York
March 15
Freedom's Journal, first Black newspaper, published by John Russwurm and Samuel Cornish, 1827
March 16
Norbert Rillieux, inventor of sugar refining, born 1806-1894
March 17
The Phoenix Society founded 1833, New York
March 19
Jan Matzeliger invented the first machine to manufacture entire shoe, 1883
March 20 Patience Singleton friend of compiler of most of these
facts born
March 21
Nambia gained its independence, 1990
Alonzo Pietro, pilot, sailed with Columbus, 1492
Selma Freedom March, 1965
March 25
Scottsboro Boys arrested, Point Rock, Alabama, 1931
March 26
Thomas J Martin awarded patent for fire extinguisher, 1872
William Hastie, first Black federal judge, appointed 1937
March 28
New York State abolished slavery, 1799
Ohio passed law restricting the movement of Black Americans, 1804
March 30
15th amendment gave Black Americans the right to vote, 1870