The African American Cultural and Historical Museum of Washtenaw County (AACHM) is dedicated to the collection and preservation of Black history in Washtenaw County. The presence of African Americans in Washtenaw County history has often been limited, scattered and sometimes altogether absent. It is up to the people who have and know the history – and the people who collect it – to do what we can to preserve, document and connect our communities. 

That is the critical work of the African American Cultural and Historical Museum. Our programs and services include physical, digital and online exhibits, Focus on the Arts which highlights African American artists. In collaboration with the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti District Libraries, our Living Oral History project collects and presents stories from elders in the community. The Journey to Freedom Underground Railroad tour is a member of The National Park Service, US Department of the Interior national Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program. In addition to preserving historic sites associated with the Underground Railroad, the NPS, through the Network to Freedom, attempts to tell a comprehensive story of the people and events associated with the struggle for freedom from enslavement.

Our partners and sponsors include: The Ann Arbor District Library, Ypsilanti District Library, the Michigan Theater, Kerrytown Concert House, the University of Michigan Musical Society, Non-Profit Enterprise at Work (NEW), The Byrd Historical Center, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc., Kappa Psi Phi, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta, Incorporated, NAACP, University of Michigan and  Eastern Michigan University.