What’s Ahead for Chicago’s DuSable Museum of African American History


The U.S. finally has a national museum devoted to African American culture and history.

The National Museum of African American History and Culture opened a little over a week ago as part of the Smithsonian on the National Mall in Washington D.C.

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But Chicago has been far ahead of the curve with its own such museum for nearly 60 years. The DuSable Museum of African American History was founded in 1957 and it continues to showcase a rich and sometimes difficult history.

Over the last year, two new executives have taken charge of the DuSable Museum. President and CEO Perri Irmer and chief curator Leslie Guy join host Eddie Arruza in discussion.


Related stories:

Group Honors Chicago’s Founder, Calls for DuSable Park Development

Sept. 8: A group gathered Wednesday to mark the 198th anniversary of the death of Jean Baptiste Point DuSable, Chicago’s first non-native settler, and push for the completion of a long-delayed park in his name.


Afro-Cuba Art Exhibit Coming to DuSable Museum

May 16: A hugely popular exhibit exploring an underground Cuban art movement comes to the DuSable Museum this week.


DuSable Museum Granted Smithsonian Affiliation Status

March 23: The DuSable Museum of African-American History has been granted a special status by the Smithsonian Institution – a move the museum says marks the beginning of a long-term collaboration between the two institutions.


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