When Frederick and Katrina Jones visit the Museum of African American History in Detroit, Michigan, they can see the great achievements of black Americans from past generations. They can also see themselves. Katrina, 13, and her brother Frederick, 11, are part of a museum exhibit. Molds of their faces and bodies were used to make statues of Africans, shown on a model slave ship.
"Vaseline covered my body before papier-mâché was applied from my stomach to my feet and later my face and upper body," Katrina recalls. "I couldn't move for over an hour, and I couldn't talk, because moving or talking would have cracked the mold."
"Seeing myself is kind of fun," says Frederick. "It was nice that kids got to do something about our heritage." When he grows up, Frederick hopes he can show his family the youthful model and say, "That's me!"
Black History All Year Long
The museum, created in 1965, moved into a grand new home last April. It is now the largest African-American-history museum anywhere. People are talking about African Americans right now, during Black History Month. But this museum celebrates the achievements of black Americans year-round.
"The purpose of the museum is to preserve the history and culture of African Americans," says Rita Organ, curator of the museum. "I hope people will see that the contributions African Americans make extend into every facet of life and play an important part in American culture."
Visitors are greeted by a splash of bright, silky flags at the museum's entrance. Each flag stands for a nation where, centuries ago, Africans were brought to be slaves.
In the museum's Ring of Fame, the names of 60 great Africans and African Americans grace the floor. Visitors to the inventors' area can see George Grant's invention, the golf tee. Also on display are Samella Lewis' original drawing for the design on the dime, and the first traffic signal, invented by Garrett Morgan. The Congressional Medal of Honor awarded to Christian Fleetwood is among Organ's favorite items on display. Sergeant Major Fleetwood earned it for heroism in a Civil War battle.
Detroit was one of the last stops on the Underground Railroad for slaves escaping to the "promised land" of Canada. Many African Americans migrated to Detroit from the 1920s through the 1950s to work in automobile and defense factories. Today Detroit's 750,000 African Americans are proud that their city is home to the new museum. Organ says, "It makes sense to have it here."
Did You Know?
African Americans have dreamed up many inventions, large and small, that we use every day. Here are just a few: