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DuSable Museum of African American History
740 E 56th Pl, Chicago, IL 60637, United States
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Be
Review №1

A museum understated in the richness of its collection. It tells the story of both the African American experience in Chicago as well as the United States. The artifacts were wide ranging and significant, signs from the Civil Rights movement, medals from the Tuskegee Airmen, so many more. We saw a fashion exhibit, architectural photography documenting the landmarks of the South Side. A must!

BG
Review №2

I visited in Oct 2018 but forgot to post my review. It had been 20 years since my last visit. The staff have done a wonderful job of remaining current while still providing wonderful history. It was a bonus to see great art as well.

da
Review №3

I dont know why I anticipated that the Museum would be so much larger and grander. Nonetheless its packed with history though I couldnt spend as much time with materials as I wanted due to the two large groups (one was mine) visiting at the same time. I especially enjoyed the Chicago Black Panthers artifacts on view. Disappointed by the exhibit under construction.

Vi
Review №4

It was a outdoor dance behind the museum and Great DJS spinning the music !!!! Sundays 4 pm until. Weather permitting.

ST
Review №5

Students expressed that they enjoyed the museum and they learned so much. I myself always enjoy the museum when I visit. So many beautiful works of art, historical artifacts, history, and works of art that are conversational starters in this museum. Also bought this shirt from the gift shop!

Br
Review №6

A fascinating, well curated collection of vastly important artifacts and exhibits. Black History museums such as the DuSable should be seen by all

Be
Review №7

Decided to check this gem on the south side today and it was a solid decision. It’s on the smaller side so you can make it through in about 2 hours. It covers a little bit of everything but my favorite areas where the art section and the Mayor Harold Washington exhibit. There was a no pictures sign but I’m not sure how heavily enforced the policy is. There’s enough parking which is amazing for Chicago. It’s $Free.99 on Tuesday for Illinois residents but they do take donations which I highly recommend.

Ch
Review №8

Wonderful place with a lot to see. Loved the info they displayed about some of the facts. The staff was very friendly.Really enjoyed the day.

Ap
Review №9

Amazing museum with great artwork/artifacts. You get to discover so much history. Recommended!

Št
Review №10

I absolutly like it!! Wonderful museum, very beneficial for understanding humanity, freedom and relationships among people. I hope I could have chance to show it my daughter one day... And staffs there are very open and helpful. Thank you for your amazing work!!

Me
Review №11

This is a great well of knowledge, I love this plac

Ki
Review №12

Lovely museum & special event venue. not to be missed when visiting chicago! They also hosted my mentor’s recent memorial.

Ma
Review №13

The DuSable Museum is a grate place to learn about black history not to many new exhibits but there should be some soon

Pr
Review №14

This museum is small but it captured my attention. Prior to my visit I was unaware of the extent of Dr. Margaret Taylor-Burroughs sacrifices and contributions in Chicago. There are some topics I felt could have been developed more in the presentation. There are obvious signs of plans for expansion of the museum which I hope to see. Hopefully the expansion will include interaction for children.

Ra
Review №15

I enjoyed the visit with my son. I wish the community and city valued this gem more and allotted more funding

Li
Review №16

Its a nice museum. A little small and not as many exhibits to see. Very informational though. Some exhibits werent working. I wish they had someone walking around to give us more details. Come and visit to discover some great facts about African Americans.

Ra
Review №17

A must see!! So much history here that is not taught in school. We must know where we come from. Its amazing how history is repeating itself before our eyes.

Ce
Review №18

Visiting The DuSable Museum is a wonderful experience. The museum chronicles not just the history of African-Americans in America, but the history of AMERICA.VISIT the Museum and learn YOUR history.

Al
Review №19

This is a very nice museum. The place is well-maintained and there are lots of things to see and appreciate here. The staffs are also friendly.

Br
Review №20

Museum offers a ton of history and artifacts. We enjoyed it.

Ra
Review №21

Beautiful museum! Although its a small museum, its packed with information and history.

De
Review №22

Just some of the photos that were taken at the historical museum definitely a must see on the history of African American culture in not o lu Chicago but in past times period. They also have a great gift shop.

Je
Review №23

I saw Red Clay Dance at the new Rotunda. At the time, even the high class portapoties were nice.

Op
Review №24

It was a beautiful and informative experience Im so glad I came here.

La
Review №25

Great museum and affordable. A lot of nice pieces and even an interactive Harold Washington skit very entertaining and informative.

Sy
Review №26

The museum is currently under renovation (as of 3/16/2018) but I still got to see the exhibits that are open. Paper Gowns and Photography was beautiful and the photos were thought provoking. Freedom, Resistance, and the Journey to Equality had historical artifacts on display and audio-visual historical clips that you can watch. One of the security guards, Mr. Hill, was present throughout the museum welcoming visitors and answering questions. I even got to speak to him about the racial challenges that other social groups have faced apart from African Americans. Go upstairs and watch Harold Washington. Its a life-like robotic representation of Harold Washington with moving arms and blinking eyes!

Ti
Review №27

Going into the DuSable museum, one would expect to be going into a library of African-American history, however we were surpised at how bare the museum actually was.I was expecting to learn more about African-Americans Great Migration experience to the Chicago area. I thought this museum would focus a lot on that aspect of Black history or even the life of Jean Baptiste Point DuSable for whom the museum is named after. There was a lot of information about the founder of the museum however.We did enjoy the Mayor Washington exibit. That was pretty cool to learn about his contributions to Chicago. And there were some great artifacts in the [Journey to Freedom] exibit downstairs.Although there is definitely the potential to add more historical data, art, pictures, stories, exhibits etc to fill this museum, I would still recommend supporting it by visting when in Chicago.

Mo
Review №28

Ive witnessed hard core bangers lighten their hearts when folk talked to them not at them.

Ar
Review №29

I love this place I learned some of black African American. You should go to see.

Na
Review №30

I feel like DuSable Musuem has been forgotten by a lot of people in the area. It has a nice set of art pieces and items from history. Some of the things are in need of a revamp. The Harold Washington animatronic needs repair but it does the job enough. We still get the history of his legacy. Other exhibit pieces the sound is not good and the tv kept flickering. If I had lots of money I would donate to the museum so they could do these much needed updates. This museum contains a valuable set of history, but I think we as a public have been neglecting it. Go visit, go donate, and preserve this unreplaceable history.

Ya
Review №31

Staff was very nice. The museum was very informative. Make sure to stop by the museums shop with Ms.Zandra Hayes. She has awesome and affordable gifts

Be
Review №32

Great place to visit for Black History. I escorted a school field trip of 5th graders. They were very engaged in the content and the ambience.

ja
Review №33

Wonderful place to visit

Wi
Review №34

It’s wonderful to have such a place that documents African-American history - the good and the bad - for future generations. The exhibits are well researched and presented. I learned a lot about black soldiers in WWI and the infamous “Red Summer.” I only wish the museum were larger and more fine arts by African-American artists

Jo
Review №35

A great exhibition for a brief summary of African American history in Chicago.

La
Review №36

I wont be able to visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture when I visit DC in August, but this was an amazing alternative. It was so informative and I loved how centered around Illinois and Chicago history it was. I felt there was a perfect balance between historic elements and contemporary.

Cr
Review №37

More than just a learning experience; Dusable represents a living breathing beacon of culture specific knowledge, wisdom and understanding that is being passed down generationally. Everything from music, art, books, clothing can be found here...all aspects of the Black Experience resides at Dusable Museum

Ty
Review №38

I have always had an interest in black history and this is really focusing everything into a fun, family friendly experience.

Od
Review №39

I loved visiting the museum and I think it should be on the list of stops for everyone who visits Chicago.

Lo
Review №40

My sista took me there to see the MLK Project:The Fight for Civil Rights. This one woman play was phenomenal. Truly enjoyed myself

Ha
Review №41

One of the must see Museums of Greater Chicago!

La
Review №42

When ever I come home I love to visit ️

La
Review №43

Excellent!!! There was a fantastic tribute to Harold Washington!Truly enlightening exhibit about African American participation during WWI. Also, profound poignant though heart-breaking presentation on the race riots of 1919!

La
Review №44

Awesome experience. So much information on our history.

Ro
Review №45

This is definitely a local treasureLocated on the southside of Chicago, across the street from the University of Chicago, this museum preserves both local African-American history as well as National African American history. It has a very cool interactive exhibit on Harold Washington and his time in office. While the museum may not boast as many artifacts as the National Museum of African American Culture and History in DC, it can definitely hold its own as a local Museum. Definitely a place worth checking out.

do
Review №46

Epicentre of Cultural life. Awesome gallery, and Kawaza celebration. Truly an iconic Chicago institution!

Da
Review №47

An good experience and nice event space. I’m looking forward to the coming attractions and renovations.

Jo
Review №48

Really enjoyed this museum. Lots of history dedicated to the African American culture of Chicago. The augmented reality Harold Washington exhibit was really cool and the app that goes with it is a must use.

Ma
Review №49

This museum is amazing you should take your kids or loved ones here every black history month or just come here in general I learned so much.

sa
Review №50

Absolutely must visit museum...a place of solemnity. I was so humbled by the content displayed and historical collection of facts. Reviews doesnt cut just go abd visit there. Best museum ever

D
Review №51

This place is amazing! It was very informative with regards to the black soldiers during the war & their contributions. There are beautiful works of Black artist I wasnt familiar with. Theres also a new feature with Harold Washington the 1st Black Mayor of Chicago. I really enjoyed my visit. If you havent been yet its a must see. Pls take the kids, very educational.

Ma
Review №52

Give it a try if you dont have anything else to doThe DuSable Museum of African American History is dedicated to the study and conservation of African American history, culture, and art. It was founded in 1961 by Dr. Margaret Taylor-Burroughs, her husband Charles Burroughs, Gerard Lew, Eugene Feldman, and others. - Wikipedia

Is
Review №53

Nice exhibits for a small museum. A great range of pieces from slave times and the civil rights movement.

Ra
Review №54

Its super cool they have videos and a lot of histoey about it and its very emotial about what happend

CR
Review №55

African American History....Uncut. The painful memories that abound in this Hyde Park location will jar you into the harsh reality that...it was not that long ago since Jim Crow, and the Dred Scott Decision. Read up on your past, if you dont know! The Dusable Museum deserves all the funding it can get, and then some! What a perfect compliment it will further become to the area, and extends its legacy, when the Obama Library Complex joins it in the very near future... We shall overcome...someday!

Ev
Review №56

Very informative. Price is very affordable as far as Chicago museums go.

T
Review №57

It is a pretty decent size but not huge. It is very informative and interesting. Just dont go into the park, especially alone or at dark. 4 solid stars, plus an extra half star for being free on Tuesdays!

La
Review №58

Nice affordable musuem of African American History . Download the interactive app.

Ly
Review №59

Great cultural experience! Exhibits on Harold Washington and the 1919 riots was fabulous!!

Na
Review №60

I LOVE THIS MUSEUM!! I enjoyed the sections on slavery, covil rights, art, soldiers, and so much more.We were also fortunate enough to see a performance by Marcus Gentey titled, A Lifes Journey. This was about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I lesrnednso many thingsbabout the civil rights movement. Bhe discussed Claudette Colvin, Risa Parks, the four little girls that were killed in the church bombing, Emmet Till and many more. I loved that he kept asking the children what would you have done and what will you do.I would recommend that everyone visit this museum.

Gr
Review №61

For it is a great place for 1 to grasp 1s in past in hopes of not repeating 1s past. get some knowledge.

Ca
Review №62

Love the modern facility. A great place to explore African American history.

Di
Review №63

Event and set up was very nice! Parking should be better.

Iv
Review №64

Front desk staff was awesome and so were a few other staff that I spoke with. There were some good displays but I really was disappointed that there wasnt more on Jean Baptiste Point du Sable.

Ch
Review №65

This is a fantastic museum. I would have likely given it 5 stars, but its under construction, so I gave it a 4. Great place to learn, celebrate accomplishments and see history from the perspective of African Americans.

Sh
Review №66

Always love going here because I can always find out something new or of interest about Afro Americans even before we were considered Americans not humans for that matter. Enjoy the arts and crafts and the entertainment

Ca
Review №67

Amazing. You must go to the U-505 exhibition, worth every penny.

Ne
Review №68

Love this quaint museum. Lots of history and very well displayed

Je
Review №69

Love this place. It’s a must-visit place in this city. Great exhibits, speakers, workshops, and interviews with scholars, popular figures, artists, and writers. Always something going on here.

Ja
Review №70

The experience was amazing it is an awesome place you will love it

Ph
Review №71

My comments are not to disparage Dusable Museum. However, after visiting the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum (MCRM) in Jackson, MS during the 2019 holidays, it is evident to me that Dusable could be much more if it had received proper funding throughout the years. By the way, the MCRM is very well-done and worthwhile to visit.The MCRM opened in 2017 after receiving $20 million dollars in state government funding. With number of Black elected officials in Illinois throughout the years, it is sobering they have not elicited and procured funding like the MCRM to boost the Dusable. The point being Dusable could be greatly enhanced and more fully equipped to share the story of American Descendants of Slavery (ADOS) if it received government funding like the MCRM. The humble beginnings of Dusable are understood and it has accomplished much with the meager and piece-meal funding it has gotten but more should be demanded to enrich this place.

Gr
Review №72

Thought provoking, inspiring, heart breaking, maddening, truly a place that will make you hope and strive for a more just world.

Oa
Review №73

I really enjoyed this museum and I appreciate they commemorated local black men and women. The museum displayed many aspects of African American culture from portraits to artifacts. The staff were really nice. I enjoyed the story-telling booths as well. The artifacts the narrators were describing were displayed in the museum. That will make everyone see what is truly going on which allows being to be sympathetic to our history.

Ge
Review №74

It was a very nice museum. The staff was very friendly. There wasn’t quite so much to see as we might have expected but what they had was nicely done. This is not an interactive museum so not for littles. They did have a couple of video history niches but I couldn’t hear them at all. I’ll go back when they open their other building across the street.

Al
Review №75

I love the DuSable Museum! I could take my time to go through the exhibits and I learned so much! It’s a gem of Chicago.

To
Review №76

It was a different experience. Looking at the manillas, slave ships, and watching the videos. It was great to connect with my history

Ro
Review №77

Wonderful history, a great place to visit, learn and enjoy!!!

Da
Review №78

So much to see, so much history that normally does not get shared. Takes the time to explore the significant role of African Americans in Chicago..refreshing to hear/see our peoples story told with the reverence that it deserves.

Da
Review №79

Quaint museum that highlights different parts of African American history

sa
Review №80

I love going there when I lived in Chicago

Ro
Review №81

Historic museum overlooking lovely park hosting onsite events. Featuring summer outdoor events such as live jazz series, dancing and civil war re-enactments on the front lawn. Indoor special exhibitions thru out the year. Modestly priced membership and entry. Limited lot parking, some street parking.

De
Review №82

PHOTOGRAPHY Documentary give by Vanessa Stokes of her fathers extraordinary photography, blackandwhite portraitures masterpieces ... both inside the states and outside the states

Ri
Review №83

Lovely place. Not too big so you are able to take your time and experience all exhibits, some of which are interactive. I will definitely return when Im passing through again

ja
Review №84

Loved the museum! Loved the info they displayed about the black panther party! Will be back

Ma
Review №85

My first visit ever but definitely not my last. I will return as the museum expands. The Harold Washington exhibit is awesome.

De
Review №86

1st time here, nice seating only wish that seats are accessible for handicaps

Le
Review №87

A viable place to receive black history info.

Re
Review №88

Came here with my class for a field trip. Wonderful place with a lot to see. My kids enjoyed it.

Ki
Review №89

The Dusable Museum always has programming that informs, educates, and entertains audiences across geographic and socioeconomic boundaries. I was pleasantly educated and entertained based off of a performance of some of Langston Hughes works. It was superb. The cast and ensemble worked well together.

Ju
Review №90

The DuSable Museum is a place for all and every person that lives in and visits Chicago should make it a point to attend and do so regularly. You will be inspired.

Ra
Review №91

I really love this place, the staff is so friendly and the artifacts are very accurate representations of black culture. The perfect place to have a weekend adventure with the kids. I brought two toddlers and had a ball. AMAZING!

Gr
Review №92

Fantastic museum laid out well, and telling a very important history. A must see for anyone visiting Chicago.

pa
Review №93

I wanted to like this museum more but it needs to be updated and filled with more black history. Chicago is full of music, art, and cultural heritage and history and this museum should be able to reflect more of it.

Ri
Review №94

Small and short on history but still fascinating. If you never been. You should at lease go once.

Ru
Review №95

I am not a museum person but looking at the history and reading about some of the facts, this place is really worth visiting at least once and you will not be disappointed

Gi
Review №96

The DuSable Museum has jazz in the park and there was pleanty of jazz lovers there. The bands were fantastic and the wheather was great. Looking forward to next year.

Li
Review №97

A great historical tour. I have never seen so much of black history like I do in Chicago

Ni
Review №98

Great museum. It tells. A very important story using exhibitions that display works of art, cultural relics and historical items. It is sort of similar to the African American history museum in Washington DC however the theme of this museum is more relevant to Chicago.

Pa
Review №99

Love That Park

Ra
Review №100

This was a beautiful Meuseum. We visited from Cleveland where a museum like this isnt available and we enjoyed every bit of art and history this Museum had to offer. We would definitely return in another visit to Chicago this museum did not disappoint.

Information
100 Photos
100 Comments
4.6 Rating
  • Address:740 E 56th Pl, Chicago, IL 60637, United States
  • Site:http://www.dusablemuseum.org/
  • Phone:+1 773-947-0600
Categories
  • History museum
  • Museum
  • Tourist attraction
Working hours
  • Monday:Closed
  • Tuesday:Closed
  • Wednesday:10am–5pm
  • Thursday:Closed
  • Friday:Closed
  • Saturday:Closed
  • Sunday:Closed
Accessibility
  • Wheelchair-accessible car park:Yes
  • Wheelchair-accessible entrance:Yes
  • Wheelchair-accessible toilet:Yes
Amenities
  • Good for kids:Yes
  • Restaurant:No
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