WELCOME TO …
Howard County Center of African American Culture
WHERE HISTORY COMES TO LIFE!
WE ARE OPEN!
TO WELCOMING YOU AND
YOUR FAMILY TO THE CENTER
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WE HAVE A NUMBER OF
FEATURED NEW EXHIBITS
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VISITING — TOUR HOURS:
Thursday: 12pm – 4pm
Friday: 12pm – 4pm
Saturday: 12pm – 4pm
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Call: (410) 715-1921
5434 Vantage Point Road, Columbia, Maryland, 21044
Welcome To The Howard County Center of African American Culture
HCCAAC curates a rich treasure trove historical artifacts, memorabilia and other resources, that tell the incredible story of the African American experience and contributions in Howard County and throught the state of Maryand with strong ties back to the African Diaspora.
The Howard County Center of African American Culture was founded in 1987 by the late Mrs. Wylene Sims Burch.
The Vision:
Engage Communities, Promote Progress, Transform Lives – Through Culture, History and Awareness.
We Sincerely Appreciate Your Continued Support!
Help Us To Continue To Tell OUR COLLECTIVE STORY … Help Send Our History Into The Future!
AS SEEN ON WTOPnews … Maryland’s Howard County African American culture center reopens after 3 years
Erron Franklin | efranklin@wtop.com
February 17, 2023, 5:41 AM
Interview: Mr. Nathaniel “Nat” Alston,
Executive Director,
Howard County Center of African American Culture
Read Full WTOPnews Article ...
From the COVID-19 pandemic to a flood at the facility, the center has dealt with a few setbacks in recent years, but aims continue its mission to educate the community about the county’s Black History.
“In a sense, COVID and the flood gave us a chance to take the time to regroup and really forge a new vision,” said Nathaniel “Nat” Alston, executive director of the Howard County Center of African American Culture.
A vision that includes themed exhibits that guide visitors through the new and improved space. One theme focuses on Africa and its connection to Black Americans in Howard County.
“When people walk in here, they can feel a sense of home, a sense of connection, a sense of ‘this is where it all began,’” Alston said. “We are from the Mother Continent of kings and queens.”
Another exhibit highlights citizenship, civil rights and the struggle for human rights. While detailing the African American experience in the county during their struggles for freedom, the museum also puts a spotlight on trailblazers, who are firsts to hold leadership roles in their respective industries.
“We hope that when people see this, they can see themselves there. And the fact that these people are still alive … hopefully it will inspire our students and young people,” Alston said.
The center held a soft opening on Tuesday, Feb. 15, and Tina Narr was among the group that got a sneak peek of the refurbished cultural center. Before her visit, she spent weeks attending lectures on African American history and culture in Howard County.
“I really think that the way it’s been curated into themes and rooms is very helpful and, you know, kind of leads you through a history of African Americans in this place. So it’s very nice,” Narr said.
The center, located in Columbia, will hold a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, Feb. 28, to close out Black History Month.
Here is the link to the WTOPnews article: READ HERE
AS SEEN ON WBALTV 11 … Howard County Center of African American Culture reopens after renovations. Flood forced Columbia museum’s closure about 2 years ago
Breana Ross | breana.ross@hearst.com
February 21, 2023, 6:11 PM
Interview: Mr. Marcus “Sankofa” Nicks, Museum Curator, Howard County Center Of African American Culture
Read Full WBALTV 11 Article ...
The Howard County Center of African American Culture reopened after some renovations and the installation of new exhibits with pictures, sculptures and artifacts that tell a story dating from the African Diaspora to the Underground Railroad, to the civil rights movement and to today’s living history.
“We want to provide a rich story, not just one of victimization and what’s been done to African Americans,” said Marcus “Sankofa” Nicks, curator at the Howard County Center of African American Culture. “We want to provide a more nuanced, well-rounded, rich experience for the whole entire community.”
The mission started with Wylene Sims Burch, a former educator who turned her collection of artifacts into the museum in 1987.
“We are just continuing the legacy and the foundation that she provided us,” Nicks said.
People can support the museum by visiting, donating and sharing any historic artifacts they have.
The museum’s mission was interrupted two years ago when a pipe burst in the ceiling, causing water damage. They had to rush precious artifacts to safety and close while for renovations.
“We, as a museum, feel as though it was a blessing nevertheless because it gave us the chance to rethink some of our museum practices, and also re-imagine the stories that we wanted to share with the community and the way we want to share those stories with the community,” Nicks said.
So the museum is using programs like oral history, internships, its Sankofa Children’s Academy and its traveling Trunk Museum on the Go exhibit to share Black history in Howard County, in Maryland and beyond, to anyone willing to listen.
“We just want to be a space where the community feel as though we are here to preserve the African American history and culture in a very precious and sacred way for our community,” Nicks said.
The museum will host a public grand reopening and ribbon-cutting ceremony at 12:30 p.m. on Feb. 28.
The museum at 5434 Vantage Point Road in Columbia is open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m. Visitors can walk in or call 410-715-1921 ahead to schedule a tour.
Here is the link to the WBAL TV 11 article: READ HERE
WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO WELCOMING YOU AND YOUR FAMILY TO THE CENTER
We Have 3 New Featured Exhibits
THE UNDERGROUND RAILWAY EXHIBIT
This exhibit was made possible through collaboration with the Salvation and Social Justice.
THE CIVIL RIGHTS EXHIBIT
THE AFRICAN DIASPORA EXHIBIT
Dive Into Our Rich History
Highlights of Our Collections
EARLY HOWARD COUNTY HISTORY
“Good Day Mr. Alston and Mr. Nicks,
I wanted to thank you both again for the invitation and welcome today to the soft opening of the Howard County Center of African-American Culture. The work that has been done to preserve the exhibits, revive the space and the rich history is evident.
Each Display Room offers a specific and designated walk through history. In particular, I appreciated Display Room 3- the African Diaspora artifacts. When I walked in, that room felt ‘different.’ There was a sense of calm and peace amongst the original African artifacts, maps, and figurines.”
All the best,
~ Tishawna
Dive Into Our Living History Series
Howard County Center African American Culture Presents:
Oral Living History Series
The Howard County Center of African American Culture believes that “Living History” (current history) is as important as “Past History”. Our goal is to capture and preserve “Living History” while is it happening so that we can pass it on to future generations “in a more authentic form”. Join us for upcoming episodes of “Living History”!
LIVING HISTORY INTERVIEW:
Guest: Mr. Michael Barksdale
(long-time Howard County resident)
Date: February 09, 2023
Interview by: Mr. Marcus “Sankofa” Nicks, Museum Curator, Howard County Center Of African American Culture
Activities – Events – Tours – Exhibits – Fundraisers – Online Store
Join Us – Let’s Celebrate Our Rich History … Together!
Black History 365
BY: Dr. Walter Milton, Jr. and Dr. Joel A. Freeman.
Black History 365 is an educational entity, that engages all ages, whose purpose is to create cutting-edge resources that invite students, educators, and other readers to become:
• critical thinkers
• compassionate listeners
• fact-based, respectful communicators
• action-oriented solutionists See less
Recipes and Remembrances Keepsake Cookbook
Get your copy of our Recipes and Remembrances Keepsake Cookbook.
This unique cookbook is filled to 50+ scrumptious family recipes from our diverse
“Men-In-The-Kitchen” Chefs, Friends and Families.
Seeking Freedom
A history of the underground railroad in howard county, maryland
A historic book chronicling the history of the Underground Railroad in Howard County Maryland.
This book includes chronologies, slave census, and 116 glossy pages of photographs and more.
Published By:
Howard County Center of African American Culture, 2002.
Re-published in 2020
VISIT OUR ONLINE STORE
On Sale: Keepsake Cookbook – Historic Book … and more!
A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR STRATEGIC PARTNERS
- SALVATION AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
- HOWARD COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
- HOWARD COUNTY LIBRARY
- HOWARD COUNTY TOURISM
- MARYLAND HISTORIC SOCIETY
Testimonials
Here’s what our visitors and patrons are saying
We had an amazing time! My daughter said today it was the best day of her life! All I heard today from both parents and children was how wonderful it was to learn about all of the amazing contributions African Americans made in our county.! The docent’s message to the children about honoring the contributions that African Americans made in our county was especially poignant and I hope they remember it when they are older.
Thank you so much for helping ensure my newly turned 5-year old had a perfect and unforgettable visit both him and his entire class will remember forever. I have had so many compliments and can’t thank you and your personnel enough! I hope to visit you again next year or even sooner!