The museum building features a distinctive, cantilevered design meant to symbolize the resilience and upward movement of the African American experience.
Reginald F. Lewis, for whom the museum is named, was the first African American to build a billion-dollar company, TLC Beatrice International.
The collection includes rare documents and artifacts related to the Black experience in Maryland dating back to the colonial era.
The museum hosts an annual Maryland Black Caucus Foundation scholarship gala and various community-centric public policy events.
The site serves as a vital repository for oral histories from Maryland civil rights activists and community elders.
The Reginald F. Lewis Museum is the premier institution dedicated to Maryland's African American history, culture, and social contributions. It serves as a Smithsonian Affiliate and contains over 10,000 items in its permanent collection. The museum features a significant collection of fine arts, including works by African American artists with roots in Maryland. Exhibitions explore the history of slavery, the Underground Railroad, and the struggle for civil rights in the Chesapeake region. The facility occupies an 82,000-square-foot building designed by The Freelon Group. It functions as both an educational center and a venue for public forums and community programming. The institution is named after Reginald F. Lewis, a Baltimore native and one of the wealthiest Black businessmen in American history.
The dramatic, light-filled grand atrium with its striking architectural staircase.
Prioritize the permanent 'Maryland African American History' exhibit for a comprehensive chronological overview.
Check the museum's online calendar before visiting, as the facility frequently hosts private events that may impact gallery access.
Combine your visit with a walk around the adjacent Inner Harbor for a full-day downtown itinerary.
Do not attempt to see the entire museum in under an hour, as the density of historical documents requires significant reading time.
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
