Reginald F. Lewis Museum
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Maryland's premier institution highlighting the history and accomplishments of African Americans. The Reginald F.
Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture is the state’s premier institution highlighting the history and accomplishments of African Americans, with a special focus on Maryland. A Smithsonian affiliate, the museum engages visitors through its permanent and special exhibitions, resource center, as well as programs such as its film series, live music performances, and family programming.
Summer’s over? Says who? 😎🏖️
When Black Marylanders were shut out of many beaches, we did what we’ve always done: built our own spaces and made them unforgettable.
Carr’s Beach. Sparrow’s Beach. Highland Beach. 🌊
Black families gathered, communities grew, and legends like Ray Charles, James Brown, Duke Ellington and Tina Turner brought the music straight to the sand. 🎶
Yeah…our beach history runs deep.
Come learn something at The Lewis!
🎥: THE LIGHTHOUSE AGENCY
BlackBeaches
10/01/2026
For over 250 years, African Americans have pushed boundaries, shaped culture, and redefined history. This fall, we’re bringing those extraordinary journeys to the big screen!
Join us this Saturday at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum for The Lines We Cross Fall Film Showcase; a full day of compelling documentary screenings and exclusive live Q&As with the filmmakers.
📍 Reginald F. Lewis Museum
📅 Saturday, October 3, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
🎟️ Museum Admission
THE PROGRAM LINEUP:
11:00 AM – Harriet Tubman: Visions of Freedom (Celebrating 170 years of the Tilly Escape!)
12:15 PM – In Search of Phillis Wheatley Peters + Q&A with Leslie Askews
1:35 PM – Kindred Spirits + Q&A with Cintia Cabib
2:45 PM – A Life in Art: Through the Eye of Dr. Leslie King Hammond + Live Panel
🎟️ Plan your visit: Click the link in our bio to reserve your spot today!
Associated with “The Lines We Cross: 250 Years of Maryland Forging America.”
Some lines are drawn. Others are crossed.
Last week at our The Lines We Cross VIP experience, history wasn’t just something to look at — it was something to talk about, wrestle with and carry forward.
Our guests explored 250 years of Black Marylanders forging freedom, building community, mastering their craft and shaping America — then told us what stopped them in their tracks.
The history is on the walls.
The conversation keeps moving.
🎥: Byrd’s Eye View Media Group
09/29/2026
Join Smithsonian scholar Richard Kurin for the launch of his new book, “History by a Hair: Thomas Jefferson, Sally Hemings, and Solving a 200-Year-Old Mystery.”
In 2011, staff at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History discovered a light red hair inside the pages of Thomas Jefferson’s Bible. That hair sparked an unprecedented scientific investigation that could finally resolve the most enduring question surrounding his life: Did he father the children of Sally Hemings, an African American enslaved woman?
For over two centuries, the Jefferson–Hemings controversy has shaped American debates about race, power, slavery, and the mythology of the Founding Fathers. In this riveting narrative; part scientific detective story and part historical epic, Richard Kurin leads readers through the fifteen-year-long genomic investigation conducted with leading DNA scientists, archaeologists, genealogists, forensic experts, and Jefferson and Hemings’ descendants across the country. The result is the first conclusive, scientifically validated answer to a question that has reverberated since the eighteenth century; an answer that settles the historical record, deepens our understanding of Jefferson, honors generations of family oral history, and asks America to confront the full complexity of its origins.
This book conversation will be moderated by historical archaeologist Dr. Cheryl Janifer LaRoche of University of Maryland, College Park
A book signing will occur after the book talk. This program is in conjunction with The Lines We Cross: 250 Years of Maryland Forging America.
To Register/Purchase Tickets, Click The Link in Our Bio!
🎟️: Museum Admission
At The Lewis, a field trip is more than a day away from the classroom!
It is an opportunity for students to experience Maryland’s African American history and culture up close—and discover the people, stories and communities that helped shape our world.
Bring your students to The Lewis and make history part of their story!
❤️💛🖤
Plan your next field trip today. Click the link in our bio!
🎥:
09/25/2026
What an evening at The Lewis!
Inspired by our newest exhibition, The Lines We Cross: 250 Years of Maryland Forging America, last week we gathered for an intimate conversation exploring the many ways Black Marylanders have pursued freedom, built community, passed down knowledge, and used creativity to shape the American story.
From abolition and artisanship to artistic expression, Dr. Ida E. Jones led a rich conversation with Kwame Kenyatta-Bey, Karen Smith, and Aaron Maybin—connecting history to the work, creativity, and questions of today.
Thank you to our guests, members, friends, and supporters who joined us for this special evening of conversation, reflection, and community.
Take a look back at a few moments from the evening.
📸: Andre | DMV Event & Branding Photographer & Videographer
09/24/2026
A new chapter begins at The Lewis ❤️💛🖤
We’re excited to welcome Travis E. Mitchell as the next President of the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture.
A Morgan State University graduate and longtime storyteller, media executive and advocate for Black history and culture, Travis brings deep ties to Maryland—and a passion for the stories that connect us.
He’ll officially join The Lewis in November, building on the incredible foundation established under President Terri Lee Freeman’s leadership.
Join us in welcoming Travis to The Lewis! We’re excited for what we’ll build together.
To learn more about Travis, click the link in our bio!
09/22/2026
For over 250 years, African Americans have pushed boundaries, shaped culture, and redefined history. This fall, we’re bringing those extraordinary journeys to the big screen!
Join us at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum for The Lines We Cross Fall Film Showcase; a full day of compelling documentary screenings and exclusive live Q&As with the filmmakers. Whether you’re a film buff, history lover, or looking for an inspiring Saturday outing, there is something here for everyone.
📍 Reginald F. Lewis Museum
📅 Saturday, October 3, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
🎟️ Museum Admission
THE PROGRAM LINEUP:
11:00 AM – Harriet Tubman: Visions of Freedom (Celebrating 170 years of the Tilly Escape!)
12:15 PM – In Search of Phillis Wheatley Peters + Q&A with Leslie Askews
1:35 PM – Kindred Spirits + Q&A with Cintia Cabib
2:45 PM – A Life in Art: Through the Eye of Dr. Leslie King Hammond + Live Panel
🎟️ Plan your visit: Click the link in our bio to reserve your spot today!
Associated with “The Lines We Cross: 250 Years of Maryland Forging America.”
Take it from the kids, there’s a lot to discover at The Lewis! ❤️💛🖤
From Black art and Maryland stories to hands-on exploration in our Kid Zone, a visit gives young people space to learn, ask questions, make connections and see history in a new way.
Planning a field trip? Bring your students to The Lewis and let them experience the stories for themselves.
Plan your group visit at the link in our bio.
🎥:
“Uncle Tom” gets used like an insult.
The real man behind it was Josiah Henson.
Born in Maryland. Sold at auction as a child. Ran to Canada in 1830 with his family. Built a town for people who’d been enslaved. Went back and helped 200 more escape.
His life story helped inspire Uncle Tom’s Cabin.
The name became a slur.
The man built freedom with his own hands.
His story lives at The Lewis. Come learn about the real Uncle Tom.
🎥: THE LIGHTHOUSE AGENCY
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Address
830 E Pratt Street
Baltimore, MD
21202
Opening Hours
| Monday | 10am - 5pm |
| Thursday | 10am - 9pm |
| Friday | 10am - 5pm |
| Saturday | 10am - 5pm |
| Sunday | 12pm - 5pm |
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