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The Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture

Celebrates its 50th Anniversary – We Rise

This year marks the yearlong 50th Anniversary of the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture and this year’s theme is “We Rise, Preserving Maryland’s African American Heritage”.

Since its founding in 1969 by Senator Verda Freeman Welcome (the nation’s first African American female State Senator) and Dr. Benjamin Arthur Quarles (Morgan State University Professor of History and renowned African American Historian), the Commission has given rise to a 21 seat statewide commission appointed by the Governor.

Our key resources include operating the State’s official museum on African American History and Culture (Banneker Douglass Museum) and the States $1-million African American Heritage Preservation Grant Program.

Join us as we celebrate our 50th Anniversary! 

The Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture is committed to discovering, documenting, preserving, collecting, and promoting Maryland’s African American heritage.

The Commission also provides technical assistance to institutions and groups with similar objectives. Through the accomplishment of this mission, the MCAAHC seeks to educate Maryland citizens and visitors to our state about the significance of the African American experience in Maryland.

 

The primary objectives of the MCAAHC are to:

  • Cultivate, present, interpret and promote the history and culture of African Americans in the State of Maryland through museum collections, exhibitions, commemorations, educational programs, publications, research and public participation;
  • Serve as a clearinghouse for information and insights about African Americans in Maryland and the nation through collaboration with other public, educational, Corporate and Maryland based institutions on strategies for promoting African American history and culture;
  • Discover, preserve, collect and catalog African American historical materials and artifacts and establish, manage and coordinate museums and other appropriate facilities for the promotion of African American history and culture; and
  • Disseminate and integrate African American historical and cultural materials into the mainstream of Maryland life and education as a method of fostering constructive social change through better racial understanding

 

Maryland Commission on African American History & Culture Public Meeting

Monday, October 7, 2019 at 11:00 AM

Washington County Museum of Fine Arts
401 Museum Drive, Hagerstown, Maryland 21741

 

 

 

 

Annual Reports

These reports are reflective of the commitment and dedication the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture exhibits regularly throughout the State of Maryland.