Reemergence of ABHM comes with several new exhibits
Today America’s Black Holocaust Museum reopens to the public, returning a true icon to Bronzeville, the historic economic and social center of Milwaukee's African American community.
The new facility, located at the corner of Vel R. Phillips and North Avenue, boasts new galleries that take visitors on an emotional journey through the more than 400-year history of Black people in america, beginning with pre-captivity and concluding in present day. The museum fosters and promotes education, critical conversation, reconciliation, and healing from the wounds caused by centuries of atrocities forced upon america's Black population.
"America's Black Holocaust is a vital institution led by great people,” said Peggy Williams-Smith, President & CEO. “This museum will draw visitors from around the world who want to learn more about the Black experience in america, and Milwaukeeans, too, will benefit from this education. I know what they'll do with this new space will have a profound impact on not just Milwaukee, but America, too, for many years to come."
In fact, the development of the new ABHM has already created a ripple effect in the Bronzeville neighborhood.
"We have been this anchor for the reemergence," said Dr. Robert "Bert" Davis, president and CEO of America's Black Holocaust Museum. "We will partner with all of our other partners in Bronzeville. The Medical College of Wisconsin is moving across the street. The Greater Milwaukee Foundation is moving across the street. The Bronzeville Center for the Arts is moving literally next door, whose neighbor is the Milwaukee Urban League. So, there are countless economic development plans and cultural plans.
ABHM, Davis said, will be partners with like minded organizations and people who want to uplift the community. “I think that's really going to be the strength of the museum."
While local leaders, activists, business professionals, media, and general fans of Milwaukee will attend today's reopening of the museum, the hype for its looming reemergence has been escalating since its leadership announced the event in late September. Coverage grew even stronger after a December press conference announcing an anonymous donor had commit ted $10 million to help America's Black Holocaust Museum thrive. The successes of America’s Black Holocaust Museum and Bronzeville as a whole eventually went worldwide when the neighborhood was included on The New York Times' list of "52 Places for a Changed World" in 2022.