Charleston’s new International African American Museum unravels histories of African American experiences
It’s been a long time coming—23 years, to be exact. It took that long to muster the support and funding required to create the International African American Museum. It was in 2000 that former Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley Jr., voiced a need for the museum in his State of the City address. “The museum is an amalgamation of many hopes and dreams,” says Malika Pryor Martin, the chief learning and engagement officer at IAAM, “but Mayor Riley was the champion in chief.” Today, one look tells you it was well worth the wait.
Raised 13 feet above the ground on 18 cylindrical pillars, the 46,500-square-foot building rises above Gadsden’s Wharf, the port of arrival for 45 percent of the enslaved Africans that were brought to America. Between 1710 and 1808, Charleston received an estimated 809 slave ships and 152,000 enslaved African captives. Their story begins on the wharf at the Tide Tribute, which honors the untold numbers of African Americans who did not survive the cruel two-month-long journey across the Atlantic Ocean. Washed by the rising and falling tides, tabby figures are positioned in relief as they might have been in the belly of the ships that transported them to these shores.
Tide Tribute forms part of the African Ancestors Memorial Garden, which presents an introduction to the museum. Its carefully chosen flora reflects both that of the ancestors’ native countries as well as the plants indigenous to their point of arrival on the Lowcountry coast.
Inside the museum, nine distinct galleries contain 11 core exhibits that limn the countless ways in which enslaved Africans and free Black people shaped economic, political, and cultural development throughout America and beyond. The story of the African Diaspora begins in the museum’s East Wing, with the arduous transatlantic passage. While seen through an international lens, exhibits manage to circle back to the South Carolina Lowcountry, in part by examining the culture of the Gullah Geechee community and presenting the achievements of African Americans throughout South Carolina’s history. The Carolina Gold gallery takes a look at life on Lowcountry rice plantations. Wading knee-deep in muck and mud, surrounded by alligators, snakes, and other denizens of the Lowcountry marshes, enslaved workers on these plantations were subject to countless ills. In fact, the Carolina rice fields had the second-highest death rate in the New World (right behind sugar plantations in the Caribbean).
In the West Wing, the African Diaspora is summarized in the form of a timeline from 1400 to the present, punctuated with historical artifacts and art objects. Throughout the museum, visitors can dive deeper into these stories through a series of video presentations, interactive touch screens, and QR codes with links to more information.
Storytelling may be done in different ways and through different media in the museum, but what connects everything at IAAM is the human experience. It’s the people who have lived this history who take the starring role, and the museum honors their stories as it traces their journey across centuries.
International African American Museum, 14 Wharfside St., Charleston, SC. 843.872.5352, iaamuseum.org
STAY
Mills House Hotel
Southern charm oozes out of every space of this 1853 pink building on the corner of Meeting and Queen streets. The recently renovated hotel melds old and new in elegant and comfortable style.
115 Meeting St., Charleston, SC, 843.577.2400, millshouse.com
The Dewberry
Across from Marion Square, The Dewberry fills a 1960’s-era federal building with luxe mid-century-modern decor and thoughtful service. Don’t miss the 8th-floor Citrus Club bar; it’s the highest rooftop in Charleston.
334 Meeting St., Charleston, SC, 843.558.8000, thedewberrycharleston.com
20 South Battery
This 11-room inn—built in 1843 as a private mansion—lays out luxury in historic style, from its breezy front porch overlooking White Point Gardens to accommodations decked out with stunning period antiques.
20 South Battery, Charleston, SC, 843.727.3100, 20southbattery.com
EAT
Brasserie La Banque
Served in an elegant c.1700 bank building, escargot, coq au vin, and bouillabaisse are but a soupçon of the fabulous French fare that fills the Brasserie’s menu.
1 Broad St., Charleston, SC, 843.779.1800, brasserielabanque.com
Hank’s
Excellently prepared fish and shellfish fresh from coastal waters account for Hank’s being voted Best Seafood Restaurant in Charleston for 20 years running.
10 Hayne St., Charleston, SC, 843.723.3474, hanksseafoodrestaurant.com
Vern’s
The new neighborhood bistro by Chef Daniel “Dano” Heinze and his wife, Bethany, has been winning raves for a reason. Innovative shareable plates and selections from the list of organic/biodynamic wines prove irresistible pairings.
41 Bogard St., Charleston, SC, 843.509.4104, vernschs.com
