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Photo: African American Museum of Iowa, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The popular image of Iowa is that its residents are almost entirely white, but Iowa has an African American history here as well. This museum aims to preserve, exhibit, and teach it. If your reaction is, "Black people, in Iowa?", then AAMI would like you to visit. Unfortunately, the museum's riverside location led to it being badly flooded in 2009. As of 2022, the city is improving the flood control structures, and the museum is closed for major renovations. They expect to re-open in 2023. Look for travelling exhibitions elsewhere in the meantime. "Suspended: Systemic Oppression In Our Schools" opens in the Cedar Rapids Public Library on October 14, 2022.
The African American Museum of Iowa (AAMI), nestled along the Cedar River near downtown Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States, has been carrying out its mission “To preserve, publicize, and educate the public on the African American heritage and culture of Iowa” since its incorporation as a 501(c)(3) organization in 1993. It has become the leading educational resource on African American history in Iowa and has two on-site exhibits: a permanent exhibit called Endless Possibilities, and a temporary exhibit which changes annually. Additionally, the AAMI has several "traveling exhibits" that are available for reservation by libraries, schools, businesses, etc.
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Features collection of works by Iowa natives Grant Wood and Marvin Cone, and a collection of 21 Roman portrait busts.
Stop in the barn museum to learn about Iowa's plants and wildlife, then check out any of their several miles of nature trails.