Founded in 1962 by Dr Charles Wright, it began in two houses on West Grand Blvd; Dr Wright was present during its move to this $38 million complex designed by local African American architects Sims-Varner; when one enters through the brass doors of the 120,000 sq. feet MAAH, your eyes are drawn from the Canadian Arriscraft stone floor along the Kansas Terra-cotta stone walls then 55 ft upwards to the rotunda dome; whisk off to the gallery that evokes a visceral response with its Middle Passage Tight Pack exhibit, which is a commemoration to those who were abducted from Africa; “Tight Pack” refers to how enslaved people were packed tightly together and shackled as human cargo; 40 local students were selected as models for Tight Pack; MAAH chronicles African American history beginning in Africa, through the Black Holocaust and Civil Rights Movement; many artifacts illustrate accomplishments and inventions by African American; Louis Lattimer Café provides a pleasant place to sip java
ADMISSION: Age 13-61 $8, Age 62+ $5, Age 3-12 $5
DAYS & HOURS: Tue-Thu 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Fri-Sat 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sun 1 to 5 p.m.
ADDRESS: 315 East Warren Ave.
PHONE: 313-494-5800
WEBSITE: www.maah-detroit.org