Explore Black history, remembrance, and resilience in Milwaukee’s historic Bronzeville neighborhood.
America’s Black Holocaust Museum (ABHM) is a history and memorial museum dedicated to illuminating the African American experience and the enduring legacies of slavery and Jim Crow. Located in Milwaukee’s historic Bronzeville neighborhood, it offers a meaningful stop for travelers exploring Black heritage, civil rights, and American history. Its mission centers on education, racial reconciliation, and healing.
Black Heritage & Founding Story
Founded in 1988 by Dr. James Cameron, a survivor of a 1930 lynching attempt in Marion, Indiana, the museum grew from his commitment to preserving history and encouraging understanding. Cameron’s personal experience gives the museum’s mission a powerful human connection. In 2024, ABHM joined the National Park Service’s African American Civil Rights Network.
The Museum Experience
ABHM connects the broader African American story with the experiences of Black Milwaukeeans. Its physical and online exhibitions address enslavement, Reconstruction, Jim Crow, the modern Civil Rights Movement, and contemporary challenges, while also exploring Black art, music, and cultural contributions.
Visitors can explore independently or arrange a group tour led by a Griot, the museum’s term for a docent and storyteller. The museum also offers educational and cultural programming, including discussions, presentations, and commemorative events.
Location & Cultural Connection
Situated on West North Avenue in Bronzeville, the museum places visitors within a neighborhood closely associated with Milwaukee’s Black cultural heritage. Its current facility stands on the footprint of the museum’s former building, connecting its founding legacy with the neighborhood’s continuing cultural investment. Consider making it an anchor stop during a Milwaukee itinerary focused on Black history and culture.
Plan Your Visit
- Address: 401 W. North Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53212
- Category: Museum · Black Heritage · Cultural Attraction
- Hours: Tuesday–Thursday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Friday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.; closed Sunday and Monday.
- Admission: Adults $7; children ages 3–17 $5; children under 3 free.
- Group tours: Griot-led tours are available by advance request for groups of at least 10.
- Parking: Street parking around the museum.
- Phone: (414) 209-3640
- Website: America’s Black Holocaust Museum
Check the museum’s website before visiting for updated hours, admission, events, and tour arrangements.
Black-Owned Places to Stay in Wisconsin
Extend your visit to America’s Black Holocaust Museum with a stay at a Black-owned property featured on Black Hotel Guide. These options are located in Elkhorn and Madison, making them worth considering for a Wisconsin itinerary that includes Milwaukee.
Ye Olde Manor House Bed & Breakfast — Elkhorn
A peaceful country retreat in southeastern Wisconsin, this Black-owned bed-and-breakfast offers eight guest rooms with private bathrooms, an indoor heated swimming pool, gardens, and breakfast. Its setting near Lake Geneva suits travelers pairing Milwaukee’s cultural attractions with a relaxing countryside getaway.
Hyatt Place Madison Downtown — Madison
This Black-owned downtown hotel offers spacious rooms, an indoor pool, a fitness center, and convenient access to the Wisconsin State Capitol and State Street. Consider it for a multicity trip combining Milwaukee’s Black heritage with Wisconsin’s capital.
Explore Black-owned places to stay in Wisconsin →
Before You Book — Check Black Hotel Guide First. Visit each listing for accommodation details and booking options.
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