African American MUSEUM

African American History

MUSEUM

Intro

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Welcome to the virtual African American History Museum

To begin click on Intro to learn how to interact with the displays that are found in the museum

ROOM 1

ROOM 2

ROOM 3

MAIN HALL

Lets get started

Click on Room one

ROOM 1

ROOM 2

ROOM 3

MAIN HALL

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CONTINUE

You have found all the works of art in this room!

Here you can put a highlighted title

Room 1

Oh no!

All the museum's works have disappeared

Take advantage of this space to write a brief explanation that develops the theme of the escape room and enhances its understanding. Can you help us?

ROOM 1

ROOM 2

ROOM 3

MAIN HALL

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CONTINUE

Here you can put a highlighted title

Room 2

You have found all the artworks in this room!

Oh no!

All the museum's works have disappeared

Take advantage of this space to write a brief explanation that develops the theme of the escape room and enhances its understanding. Can you help us?

ROOM 1

ROOM 2

ROOM 3

MAIN HALL

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CONTINUE

You have found all the works of art in this room!

Here you can put a highlighted title

Room 3

Oh no!

All the museum works have disappeared

Take advantage of this space to write a brief explanation that develops the theme of the escape room and enhances its understanding. Can you help us?

ROOM 1

ROOM 2

ROOM 3

MAIN HALL

wc

CONTINUE

Here you can put a highlighted title

Room 1

5/5

You have found all the artworks!

Main Hall

CONTINUE

Restart

Here you can include a message to congratulate and wish good luck to your class at the end of the quiz.

You have recovered all the museum's works.

Congratulations!

Click to Begin

Welcome to the Virtual Museum of African American History!

Step into a journey through time, exploring the rich and powerful history of African Americans. From resilience and innovation to cultural contributions and civil rights, this museum highlights the stories that have shaped our world.

As you navigate through the exhibits, click on different items to uncover their significance. Each artifact, image, and document holds a piece of history waiting to be discovered. Take your time, reflect on the stories, and immerse yourself in the legacy of African American history.Enjoy your exploration!

"Face Mask." Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of African Art, 2013, https://www.si.edu/object/face-mask%3Anmafa_2013-21-1.

One example is this Pende face mask from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Pende people use masks in rituals, dances, and storytelling, often representing spirits, ancestors, or social roles. Masks like this played a key role in ceremonies, reinforcing community values and traditions. Even after being forcibly removed from their homelands, enslaved Africans preserved elements of their culture through music, art, and spiritual practices.

African Cultural Artifacts

Before the transatlantic slave trade, African civilizations thrived with rich traditions in art, music, and storytelling. These artifacts—masks, textiles, and sculptures—reflect the deep cultural heritage of African societies. Many enslaved people carried these traditions to the Americas, shaping Black culture today.

"Description of a Slave Ship." Smithsonian Libraries, Image Gallery, https://library.si.edu/image-gallery/68463.

Slave Ship Diagram

This diagram shows how enslaved Africans were crammed into ships for the brutal Middle Passage. Packed into tight, inhumane conditions, many did not survive due to starvation, disease, and abuse. Those who endured the journey were sold into a lifetime of forced labor.

This specific slave ship diagram, created in the 18th century, was used by abolitionists to expose the horrific realities of the transatlantic slave trade. The illustration shows how enslaved people were tightly packed below deck, with little room to move. It became a powerful tool in the fight to end slavery, revealing the dehumanizing conditions endured by millions.

"Slave Sale Document." Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of American History, https://www.si.edu/object/slave-sale%3Anmah_336714.

Auction Block & Bill of Sale

Enslaved people were treated as property and sold at auctions to the highest bidder. Families were torn apart, and individuals were forced into grueling labor with no rights or autonomy. These sales fueled the Southern economy while stripping millions of their freedom.

This bill of sale, dated 1835, documents the sale of an enslaved woman and child in Kentucky. Transactions like this were common across the United States, reducing human lives to financial assets. Despite the inhumane system, enslaved people resisted in various ways—preserving their cultural heritage, escaping, and fighting for freedom.