Africatown Heritage House in Alabama Nomination: In a significant milestone, the Africatown Heritage House, located just a few miles north of Mobile, opened its doors this July. The museum’s notable exhibit, “Clotilda: The Exhibition,” pays tribute to the enslaved West Africans transported to Mobile in the 1800s aboard the Clotildathe final documented U.S. slave ship.
The museum’s impactful work has garnered recognition, as it is nominated for the 2024 Readers’ Choice in the “Best New Museum” category. This acknowledgment reflects the cultural and historical significance of the Africatown Heritage House and its dedication to preserving and sharing the powerful narrative of the Clotilda and its impact on Africatown.
The Exhibition Learn the history behind Africatown
The year 2018 marked a significant archaeological discovery when researchers unearthed the remains of a ship at the depths of the Mobile River. Extensive studies and analysis by scholars aimed to unravel the narratives embedded in the ship’s remnants. Over time, the ship was identified as the Clotilda, shedding light on its historical significance and the stories it carries. This revelation adds another layer to the ongoing efforts to understand and preserve the legacy of the Clotilda, the last known U.S. slave ship, and its connection to the complex history of Africatown.
In 1860, more than five years after the federal abolition of the slave trade, the Clotilda arrived in Mobile with 110 enslaved West Africans. Once the human cargo was sold, the ship was deliberately set ablaze and sunk in Mobile Bay, erasing evidence of the illegal voyage. Remarkably, survivors went on to establish Africatown, a resilient community north of Mobile.
READ MORE: Africatown Heritage House in the Running for Best New Museum
The Africatown Heritage House is receiving national attention
The 2,500-square-foot exhibition showcases preserved sections of the Clotilda and narrates the experiences of the enslaved individuals who founded the Africatown community. The exhibit takes visitors on a journey through the timeline, tracing the passengers’ roots in West Africa, the evolution of Africatown, and offers a glimpse into the community’s future.
In just a few months, the Africatown exhibit has garnered significant national acclaim, solidifying its status as a cultural landmark. The Africatown Heritage House secured the top spot as National Geographic UKs #1 new museum in 2023, while Africatown earned a spot among Smithsonian Magazines Best Small Towns.
Vote for Africatown Heritage House for USA Todays Best New Museum 2024
Vote now for the Africatown Heritage House in the Best New Museum competition. The voting period ends on Monday, December 25 at 11 AM, and the winners will be revealed on Friday, January 5. Show your support for this impactful exhibit!
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Our Reader’s Queries
Is Africatown still there?
Uncover their remarkable journey of survival, bravery, and their enduring tale of strength as they established the Africatown community, which continues to thrive. Coming Soon. Several organizations are dedicated to safeguarding the legacy of Africatown and championing for the community.
What is the history of Africatown Alabama?
Africatown, situated in Mobile, Alabama, is renowned for its association with the U.S. slave ship Clotilda. It was founded by the enslaved Africans who were unlawfully brought to the U.S. aboard the Clotilda in 1860.
What community was founded by formerly enslaved people in Alabama?
Nestled north of Mobile, Alabama, Africatown was established by freed individuals from West Africa after President Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 Emancipation Proclamation.
Does Africatown have a museum?
Travel journalists who have explored Mobile have selected Africatown Heritage House as a contender for Best New Museum in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. Esteemed industry experts and editors comprised the panel that made this decision.