A three stories museum that focuses on Black life expierence in Maryland and Baltimore from the time of slavery to the present. The starting point is the third floor and then you work you way down. The third floor contains permanent exhibits, artifacts, photos, POV, and written narratives that detail the history of Black Afrcans slaves from Africa to America, Maryland, and Baltimore to start. Then more displays detailing the history, daily life, works, snd achievements of Black peoples as slaves and ultimately as free peoples in Maryland and Baltimore. The second floor contains the mezzanine level of the theater and a gallery devoted to the life and achievements of Reginal F. Lewis. The ground floor contains the theater, a small gallery, meeting room, and gift shop. The oldest daughter and I really enjoyed our visit to the museum. We learned a lot about the Black history of Maryland and Baltimore. Admission fee is $15 per adult. read more

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This museum just screams out for a talented, experienced curator who knows how to organize a museum, its information, and its artifacts. This one, however, seems not to have such a person on staff. There is next to zero order to the displays, making the overall experience a confusing and disappointing one. They actually have some interesting artifacts and some knowledge to impart; but at best, they do a mediocre job of that. The staff members were friendly, which was a nice bonus. Also worth pointing out: More than a year ago, previous visitors complained in their own reviews that there were lights out here/there and that parts of the exhibits weren't working and/or were missing. A full year-plus later, the museum STILL hasn't bothered to fix these problems. read more

I finally visited the Lewis Museum when my mother in law was in town visiting a few weeks ago and we wanted to visit a museum we hadn't been to yet! I appreciated that the museum's permanent collection is very specific to Maryland, which means it tells a very unique history and has unique objects and documents. If I have a criticism of the permanent collection, it is just that the organization of the collection didn't make the most sense to me (everything was relevant and interesting, but I didn't necessarily find the progression to have the best flow). But still very interesting and well worth visiting! I also really enjoyed the temporary exhibit "Vision & Spirit: African American Art Works from the Bank of America Collection" (which is on view through January 15, 2024), which had some really beautiful and impactful pieces by Romare Bearden, Jacob Lawrence, Gordon Parks, Faith Ringgold, Dawoud Bey, and more! There was another temporary exhibit ("Blacks in White: African American Health Professionals") that, while very small, was also interesting! The museum staff were really friendly and helpful, and the price of admission is very reasonable for how you'll get to learn, see, and experience ($12 for adult general admission). If you haven't been yet, definitely make a point to visit! read more

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I'm visiting Baltimore for a couple of days and was looking for things to do. With it being Good Friday a lot of places in the inner harbor were packed with kids. We decided to come to this museum which maybe had 20-30 people in the whole museum at around 3 pm. I would recommend buying tickets online to reserve your time to look. You'll need to ok any time before 4 because they close at 5 and you really need a little over an hour to truly get the full experience. The second floor was Men of Change and it was great. It showcased all men in history and different time periods. The 3rd floor was more chronologically based from slavery to today. My only odd observation is the timeline seemed a little off on the transition from slavery to civil war. It felt like it wasn't a smooth transition on the timeline but nevertheless great content. There is a big section on Baltimore history and I learned a ton. Great place to visit in the downtown/inner harbor area read more

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I appreciate this museum for sharing the true history of African Americans from slavery to present times. It is definitely difficult, but also very necessary to learn how terribly Blacks were treated in American. I also love how it emphasizes how Black's have been able to thrive in spite of this treatment. They also do a good job of highlighting Black artists. There are 3 levels and some of the displays are interactive. This is a good place for all ages to learn more of the history that may or may not be taught in schools. I think it's a good way to start a healthy conversation about how we can fix what history broke. read more

Reginald F Lewis Museum - Entrance - Museums Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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I haven't visited the Reginald Lewis Museum in years so I decided to plan a visit with my kids on President's Day. I did my research from other Yelper to start on the 3rd and work my way down. Upon arrival I loved the sign out front which stated "Black Lives Matter" on the front of the building. Kids under 5 was free which was nice. As mentioned we started on the 3rd floor with plans to work our way down. The 3rd floor was full of information and opportunities to learn, explore and teach my children for later research homework. Upon heading to the lower floors I was told they were closed due to reconstruction for other upcoming exhibits. I was really looking forward to the Frederick Douglas exhibit that was mentioned in a few Yelp reviews. I was really disappointed that they was only 1 floor available and then the gift shop to explore. Nethertheless, I throughly enjoyed the museum but wished there was more. read more

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Came for free museum day. Beautiful museum. Start at the 3rd floor and work your way down. Great connection for myself, as being an eastern shore resident, and the movement of African American's in MD. Def. a must visit!! They have parking validation, as there is a garage directly across the street from the museum. read more

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This museum has been open for 12 years and is the largest museum focused on the history of African American history and culture in Maryland. There are three floors to this museum; the third floor is the permanent collection filled with educational and beautiful art pieces and exhibitions. Definitely the history that cannot be found anywhere in the history textbooks! I learned so much from my visit and it gives a more detailed look into the lives of slaves and African Americans from slavery times to the present. Maryland has a rich history. The second floor is a rotating exhibit; during my visit on Sunday January 14, 2018, it was the art competition of Baltimore County students focusing on Black art. It was amazing. (See attached pictures). The first floor is the gift shop; check it out for Black literature and souvenirs as well as more art pieces. When I went, it had huge and beautiful quilts on display. A definite must see. There is street parking, but it's better to get dropped off in front of the museum. There is a student discount -$6 and free admissions for teachers. Show your ID. They recommend to view the museum starting at the third floor and work your way down to each level. This museum is great for teachers, educators, students, and any human beings wanting to learn more about the state history. They also provide tours and field trip opportunities for students. read more

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Loved this museum! The space is gorgeous! They have 3 main floors. The 3rd is the recommended start floor where they feature tons of exhibits about African American history and civil rights issues in Baltimore. The 2nd floor is a photography exhibit/ rotating artist exhibit where they feature a guest artist. The artist featured the day I went blew me away! I had never seen such amazing abstract work! The issue with this floor tho is that it's a half a floor of art. The other side is dedicated to their theatre room The 3rd floor is a nice closer. It's a giftshop/small room dedicated to African American women's accomplishments in the US. I must say I felt the museum could have had a bit more to see on the other floors. The 3rd floor was my favorite and could easily have you there for over two hours. Staff were nice, make sure you check out Reginald F Lewis's book in the giftshop, the title is hilarious! read more

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When my friend and I planned a day trip to Baltimore, we didn't look into anything beyond brunch. After parking in Fells Point and meandering our way around the inner harbor, we started looking into other ways to spend time. Being MLK weekend, after some internet searches, we set our sights on the Lewis Museum. The facility is very nice and looks very new and modern. The women working the front desk were very kind and informative. The museum has three floors, and the information women suggested starting at the top and making our way down. The third floor is a massive labyrinth of wall-to-wall information, artifacts and memorabilia, and African American history and culture specifically related to Baltimore. It was overwhelming. There was no clear guide, or even suggested route, to absorb the information. It was generally organized in chronological order, but there were so many nooks and crannies that you could spend an entire day just on that floor. It's easy to get lost. For all the information on the third floor, I was eager to see what the second and first floors had to offer. It was underwhelming. The second and first floors were comprised of one small exhibit each, and there seemed to be a lot of wasted space. I can't help but wonder why so much is cramped on the top floor when there's so much more space to spread it out on the other floors. We spent an hour on the top floor, but we spent maybe about 15 minutes on the other two floors combined. All in all, it was very a informative, interesting, and powerful visit, I just wish it was a little more spread out. read more

Reginald F Lewis Museum - The top floor is full of great Baltimore specific African American history! - Museums Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Great museum with a lot of good information. I didn't know much about history of African-Americans in Maryland but I learned a lot. The only tip I have is to give yourself at least 2 hours. Don't by the 4pm tickets because they close at 5pm. I made that mistake. read more

Reginald F Lewis Museum - Breonna Taylor - Museums Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

I had an excellent time at the museum. The exhibits were very informational. I wish I had more time to spend absorbing the culture. The Men Change exhibit was excellent which is what bought me to the museum. Additionally, I appreciated how clean the facility was and how nice the staff was. read more

My husband and I visited the museum this morning. The second floor exhibit is amazing, and because we were the only visitors there shortly after the museum opened, we were able to enjoy a tour of that floor guided by Diane Cooper. She was very informative and personable.She helped us to understand what we were viewing and the contexts in which the art works were created. What a wonderful experience! read more

I absolutely love this place, being a proud Baltimorean I'm always looking for more information on people from the city and all over Maryland. This place is full of life and history. I am thankful for its construction and for all who are on display. It's affordable enough to visit time and time again. I won't post too many picture because it's a place you have to visit to really capture the spirit and pride of Maryland. read more

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I'm usually at the museum for an event and not to actually look at the artifacts, but having done both, I can say I enjoy both. It's a decent space to host small to medium sized crowd events, but gets overwhelmed when there are a lot of people. Being 3 floors, the wait for the elevators is usually long. Art wise, they usually have decent exhibits, though I think they could be set up better to maximize the experience and give people a better opportunity to take in everything. Otherwise, this place is great. read more

Loved tge experience. We learned things that we never knew. The only downfall...we paid for the full experience, but a lot of the audio wasn't working, the lights to many of the displays weren't working and we could not read anything. I did say something to the front desk agent, she said they've been telling their maintenance dept about this but they haven't done anything. I hope our next visit we will surely get the entire experience. read more

Reginald F Lewis Museum - Museums Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Can't believe we only spend a hour in this fantastic. Museum! Wow!! Harriet Tubman, Thurgood Marshall, Benjamin Banneker, Frederick Douglas. Skilled black workers built Maryland. Some of my heroes helped to free her! The exhibits have depth and breadth. The collection of photos and mixed media were so impressive. Made me think of the new AAMHC in DC. Wow! Seeing artifacts from slavery are always chilling. In fact slaves were auctioned at the very site of the museum. There is blood at the base of this museum. The quilts were beautiful. We didn't have enough time to really see it all. Can't wait to come back to see and hear and feel more. read more

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Amazing and well done history. Art room docent Diane was worth the price of admission. engaging and very knowledgeable. Great find for us. read more

This museum is a definite must visit. I've been here for two galas and a poetry night. The museum can hold awesome events with great sound and lighting. With our view from the mezzanine, we heard and saw it all at a recent poetry night. On other nights, I had the opportunity to visit each level and study the memorabilia that graces the museum walls and halls. American history never gets old for me. There is a lot to see here, but also it's a great place to come and hang out if you're a member. The cafe serves soul food - chicken, Mac and cheese, greens, crab cake, slices of cake and sweet tea. The cafe is adjacent to the elevator, but you'll have to bypass the grand staircase to get to them. Baltimore truly has a gem in this museum. read more

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Well I like museums. I felt I needed to balance out my experiences in light of the recent riots and the state of emergency this week in Baltimore. I spent hours at the Maryland Historical Society and wondered what the other Baltimore experience was like. This museum did a pretty good job of portraying the African American experience in Maryland. I enjoyed mixed media pieces that were scattered about. (To wit: YouTube Black Moses Barbie---loves this one. Loved it). Really enjoyed the temporary exhibit of The Dance Theater of Harlem. Athleticism and artistry. Amazing. read more

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I came here for a home buying seminar. This is a beautiful place. The only drawback of this museum, and really any place downtown, is the parking. A true thorn in my side. Luckily, for the seminar, parking was validated. For the museum tho, I'm not sure if it is. The last time I visited, it was for a wedding. This museum hosts a plethora of events, which makes it a unique and diverse place. There are beautiful exhibits, as well as the opportunity to make any event you have in mind one to remember. read more

One of the first museums I visited when I moved to Baltimore 7 years ago. I love the museum. They have dance and music events here. The museum is very well organized. I love the creativity and quality of display for each exhibit. Definitely take your family and friends visiting Baltimore to this quality African American museum! read more

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Didn't know this place existed. It was a great way to get information on the people and history of this region. The said part is no one was really there and it was not recommended or even mentioned by our hotel. But I say go and support. read more

This is a pretty good African American Museum nestled on the corner of Pratt St near the Baltimore Pier. It's laid out rather well. The museum appears to emphasize a number of different things most specifically: -the brutality of lynching (a small but powerful exhibit on this); -the connection of Jewish immigrants in American (specifically Jewish educators) and African Americans (specifically African American college students) during and after WWII; and -lastly powerful African Americans during the Civil Right era, particularly those that have roots in Baltimore. One of the first exhibits was the most powerful exhibit for me.. it was a exhibit that displayed images of various lynchings with Billie Holiday's pownerful song Strange Fruit playing in the background. I thought that exhibit was nicely enclosed and wonderfully laid out. While I enjoyed looking at the pictures, artifacts and videos presented within the exhibit on the relationship between Jewish immigrants and African Americans, I was a little disappointed that it was limited to the college classroom. I thought it could have been expanded to talk about the impact of this relationship beyond the college classroom and to the streets, workforce, etc. The exhibits on powerful African Americans during the Civil Right era was pretty good. I learned a lot about the Baltimore Jazz scene at the time which I enjoyed. Overall I think this museum was pretty good. Aside from the first exhibit on lynching nothing really captured me but I did find the museum to be informative. read more

I had the chance to visit this museum,this passed Saturday. I learned so much about the history of the state of Maryland. If you are every in Baltimore it is a must see. read more

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Had some downtime from the convention I was attending, so my co-worker from D.C. suggested this. We only had an hour before closing, so we headed straight to the third floor as the girl at the front desk suggested. That floor covered a wide spectrum of African-Americans who made their contributions to the state, with a special emphasis on how they shaped Baltimore. The exhibits were all interactive, using different mixed media to tell the various stories from slavery to civil rights to present day. Many glass cases were missing their artifacts, and we assume that the newness of the museum had something to do with that. Still, it didn't detract from our experience--there was plenty there to learn and absorb. Very well done, plenty of compelling stories that would interest adults and kids. read more

I do not recommend this museum for families of young children. I took my boys and we were the only people there on a rainy afternoon. The docent ushered us in to the first room where we were supposed to watch a movie that provided meaningful orientation to the rest of the museum. The documentary seemed interesting, but they were not able to stay still for the whole duration of it, so we moved on--without any helpful guidance. There was very little "hands-on" kind of stuff for the kids to interact with. Many articles were installed above their eye-level so I had to keep bending over and picking them up and everything required that I read the little descriptions to them (which they got bored with quickly). It was like a maze, so it was scary and easy to get lost and separated. I had gone on the website before our visit and saw nothing that discouraged families from coming (since I wanted to be sure that the content was age-appropriate.) They do have some parental warnings on exhibits that you can avoid if your kids aren't ready. But I definitely don't recommend taking your kids here--at least until they can read on their own. I had hoped that this museum could have helped spark some good conversations and questions with my kids about African American history, especially in the city we call home, but I was very disappointed. The museum is a missed opportunity. I am looking forward to taking them again when they are much older, and hopefully when this museum is a little better put together. In the meanwhile, I'm eagerly awaiting the opening of the African American History Museum in DC in the next year or so. read more

This museum is a gem for a nominal fee. There are photos, films, artifacts, and much more cataloging African American contributions. I recommend blocking an entire day 10am-5pm to maximize your experience. Discounts available for students and seniors too! read more

The museum hosts 3rd Thursday events in the evenings and last night I attended a concert with Jazz Singer Maysa in celebrations of the museums 10th Anniversary. I decided to go to this event at the last minute so I was only able to get "standing room" tickets which were less than $20 bucks. And to my great surprise they had several small tables and some seating set up in the " standing room" so I was able to get a seat and enjoy an awesome spur of the moment concert. The cafe had food for sale and their was a small cash bar available as well. O what a great evening out. This is my first time actually making one of their 3rd Thursday events but I will be looking to get there again very soon. read more

Last week I also took a group of middle school students here. Staff was extremely accommodating and welcoming to us. They have some excellent exhibits and lots of space. Now, one suggestion I do have, for school groups at least, is to have a more interactive and hands-on experiences (a scavenger hunt, Q&A session, or something similar). Our tour guide was wonderful, but after a while, the students got pretty bored with being "talked to" about various exhibits. They like to explore. There was also a cafe that sold soul food, t Nonetheless, I think they learned a lot and were able to experience something new. read more

I'm a fan of this museum. It focuses on the life and contributions of black in Maryland, which I don't see very often. I noticed a few typos on exhibits, but they're not terribly noticeable and don't detract from the content. I think this is a great day trip with visiting family or the kids. They also have a lot of community events, so you might be able to visit for free! It has a great location - it's close to other Baltimore attractions and there's a parking garage about a block away. It's also within walking distance of Little Italy, so it's easy to grab a sit-down meal either before or after. read more

Came to see the Devin Allen Photo Exhibit at the museum on the last day, March 13. Really great time and as we prepared to leave, Devin walked in. He talked to us for a while and was really engaging. Glad I waited til the last day, now lol. Sometime procrastination pays off y'all read more

Reginald F Lewis Museum - One of the iconic photos from Devin Allen - Museums Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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I visited the museum last week on vacation. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Highlights were the Question Bridge, the exhibit on police violence and the voting rights exhibit. The museum is beautifully designed and has a nice flow to it. Start at the top floor and work your way down. There was an elderly woman present who was also a wealth of information! I'm not sure if she worked there or was a visitor but I appreciated the stories either way. While I did not visit with children, there is a lot of information that would be great to expose them to. They provide disclaimers for any exhibit that would be deemed sensitive to children, FYI. The price of admission is also considerably low considering the quality of the exhibits and also surrounding museums at the Harbor. Also, as an added bonus the museum cafe has some very delicious food. Please do stop in for a bite to eat when you are done. read more

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It was my first time visiting the museum since I moved to Baltimore city in 2015. It was free because I presented my Bank of America card and ID in the first weekend of the month. The third floor provides a history of African Americans since slavery with the focus on Maryland and Baltimore with many artifacts, photos/drawing, videos, stories, and interactive displays. I especially liked the emphasis on labor/work of African Americans which has created the backbone of Maryland. For example, a section was about caulkers who sealed the deck and sides of wooden ships in the 19th century, and it showed how the task was very hard and carried out mostly by African American men (free and enslaved). After the civil war, Isaac Myers helped form a trade union for African American caulkers in 1866 to protect their jobs from being fired due to racism. Like Mr. Myers, I liked the information on concrete individuals who made a difference in a variety of ways. I also appreciated a section on lynching in Maryland, as it has gained a renewed grassroots attention in Maryland because of the relative lack of proper memorialization of the victims by government entities in Maryland (see Maryland Lynching Memorial Project at https://www.mdlynchingmemorial.org/). However, I also noticed that the displays do **not** give a sense that racial injustices continue to this day. While it is important to provide examples of successful African Americans in today's society (e.g., Mr. Reginald Lewis), I believe it is also crucial to provide some social scientific evidence of racial injustice in Baltimore and Maryland in recent years. These African Americans became successful in recent years not because racism is a thing of the past, but DESPITE racism (although mostly in more subtle forms). I would have also appreciated if all the displayed photos had some sort of descriptions about what they were and when they were taken. I liked the (temporary) photo exhibit of Arabbers in Baltimore on the first floor. I have personally seen an Arabber in Charles Village in Baltimore city. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rglnyXKVV9c The second floor featured a number of very unique paintings by an African American painter, Romare Bearden (temporary). You could purchase some of his work in the gift shop. It's a walking distance from Inner Harbor, and I recommend Baltimore residents and visitors to spend some time learning about an important aspect of Baltimore, Maryland, and the country! read more

Well worth a visit. Bring your patience to the third floor exhibit and let it grow. Special exhibition "Reflections " was wonderful. Eager for the day when the whole unflinching story is told side by side in the same museum. Until then, don't miss this. read more

Ive been to some of the best parties, events and receptions here! I am a fan of food so anywhere there is a great selection of eats you can find me chowing down! Every event has had the greatest food from Class Act catering. Quick story...So Im not from MD and when I got here all I heard was crab cakes, crab cakes, crab cakes...I ate some and never really go the hype...until I went to the cafe at the Reginald Lewis Museum...THE BEST CRAB CAKES I HAVE EVER TASTED I kid you not! I know you're like food schmood! Its a museum so what about the culture? The exhibits are great and have a focus on African American history in Baltimore and in Maryland. Three recent exhibits that I really liked included a historical view of Druid Hill a neighborhood in Baltimore and the process of segregation, white flight, and gentrification today in that area. Also I liked the exhibit on Billie Holiday and her impact on Baltimore. Last but not least an exhibit on Jewish scholars studying at HBCUs across the country when HBCUs were first created gave me alot of insight, especially being a grad of an HBCU. With new exhibits always being unveiled at the museum I am willing to go often...you should too! read more

Great space to host your next event! Weddings, conferences, birthday Parties, reunions and more! Call the Special Events Department 443-263-1811! read more

Reginald F Lewis Museum - 2nd floor set up at the Reginald F. Lewis Museun! - Museums Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Love visiting this museum at the Inner Harbor. RFL is the most affordable museum downtown. The permanent exhibit never gets boring and each visiting exhibit is truly worth seeing. 3rd Thursday is the best kept secret in town. For $5.00 you experience the best live performances around. Food and drinks are available at a reasonable cost. Just remember, this a peek into African American history,not the entire span of events. RFL also has many special events for families,children, and adults. Truly worth a visit. read more

We had a blast!!!! We went as a Girl Scout troop to their Christmas Bazaar (Dollar Day) and it was SO MUCH FUN!!! We participated in one of the best craft making workshops I have ever been to! The lead lady was soooooo personable, kind and worked well for kids and adults alike. She had support and they were sooooo wonderful. Of course as I'm writing this and using generic pronouns I wish I had asked their names! From the front desk lady (who was extremely patient with me as my ears decided to turn down their volume...I mean I really could not hear her!!!) to the lady selling these angels that are amazing! They should be an exhibit at the museum! Li would have loved to stay for the Christmas movie showing in the theatre but we had to get to our next rehearsal. It was just so nice to be with everyone having a great time making these amazing angel ornaments. I hope to back for their 50th Kwanzaa Celebration on Dec. 30th from 12-4pm. The flyer says admission is $5. I signed up for their newsletter and you should too. I look forward to their next event! read more

Reginald F Lewis Museum - Santa was at the museum!!! - Museums Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Lovely and very inspirational! Beautiful views of the city on this snowy day. We loved the architectural design of the museum and the exhibits are very informative. They have a special Jacob Lawrence art exhibit that we enjoyed, I believe it ends in January. read more