Museums & art / Midtown
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
African American history, art, and community memory in Detroit’s cultural district.
01 / The story of this place
Make time for these
Founded by physician Charles H. Wright, the museum centers the complex history of African American life. Its exhibitions connect historical objects, individual experiences, and contemporary cultural questions. The spacious rotunda is a signature architectural feature and an important setting for Detroit’s public remembrance. A visit complements the surrounding art and history museums, while deserving time and attention of its own.
- African American history exhibitions
- The central rotunda
- Contemporary art and community programming
Famous Detroiters
Famous people tied to this place 3
Lexicon entries for the people who lived, worked, performed or liked to spend time here.
- Rosa Parks 1913–2005 · civil rights activist
Memorial
Her casket lay in repose in the museum's rotunda before the funeral, drawing tens of thousands of mourners.
- Aretha Franklin 1942–2018 · singer, songwriter, pianist
Related place
Thousands filed past her open casket here during the public viewing before her funeral in August 2018.
- Charles H. Wright 1918–2002 · obstetrician-gynecologist, museum founder
Founded
The museum he founded in 1965; its 125,000-square-foot Midtown building opened in 1997 and took his name in 1998. It holds one of the largest collections of African American culture in the world.
Photos were taken at different times; images are resized and cropped on cards.
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¼ · Stay
Sleep right around the corner
¼ · Free museum days
Free days here
- November19ThursdayThird Thursday evening programs, 6–9 p.m.Free for everyone
- December5SaturdayFirst full weekend of every monthOne general admission per Bank of America, Merrill or Private Bank card, with photo ID
- December6SundayFirst full weekend of every monthOne general admission per Bank of America, Merrill or Private Bank card, with photo ID
- December13SundaySecond Sunday of every month, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.Free for everyone
Sources & fact check · Checked: 2026-09-24
An independently written bilingual guide. This collection is not an attendance-based ranking.
Historical background: Wikipedia and its contributors; article licenses and revision histories are available on the source pages.
03 / Events
Events at this place
Published events automatically linked from our event guide. Times are local to the venue.
Nov 12, 2026, 1:00 PMCrafted in Legacy: A Jewelry-Making Workshop
The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History hosts a jewelry-making workshop on Thursday, November 12, from 1 to 4 p.m. in Detroit. You'll make your own necklace, bracelet, or earrings, and it's free with registration.
Nov 14, 2026, 1:00 PMThe Catlett Legacy: A Conversation Across Generations
Elizabeth Catlett's son and grandchildren sit down for a family conversation about her legacy on Saturday, November 14, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit. Admission is free; registration is required.
Nov 19, 2026, 6:00 PMThird Thursday: Brothers, Show Your Love
The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit hosts Third Thursday: Brothers, Show Your Love on Thursday, November 19, starting at 6 p.m. It's an evening celebrating Black men, with live performers; tickets are available online.
Dec 4, 2026, 6:00 PMJulie Dash
Visionary filmmaker, writer, and cultural historian Julie Dash headlines The Wright Conversations on Friday, December 4, at 6 p.m. at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History’s General Motors Theater in Detroit. The groundbreaking Daughters of the Dust director sits down for a live conversation; tickets $25, VIP meet & greet $40.
Dec 10, 2026, 4:00 PMLo-Fi Slam in Partnership with InsideOut Literary Arts
Metro Detroit teens ages 13 to 18 go head-to-head in the Lo-Fi Slam on Thursday, December 10, with doors at 4 p.m. at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit. It's a two-round poetry battle, and audience admission is free.
Dec 11, 2026, 7:30 PMjessica Care moore: Wild Beauty – experimental opera
Detroit poet jessica Care moore presents Wild Beauty, an original experimental opera, on Friday, December 11, at 7:30 p.m. at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History (General Motors Theater) in Detroit. It blends spoken word, opera, jazz, and soul with orchestral texture. General admission $25.
Dec 12, 2026, 10:00 AMRoots and Futures Youth Summit
Detroit's Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History hosts the Roots and Futures Youth Summit on Saturday, December 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., where young people imagine the city a hundred years from now. It's free, with registration required.
Dec 12, 2026, 7:30 PMWild Beauty — an experimental opera by jessica Care moore
jessica Care moore’s Wild Beauty plays Saturday, December 12, at 7:30 p.m. at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History’s General Motors Theater in Detroit. Spoken word meets opera, jazz, and soul with De’Sean Jones, Jon Dixon, Kisma Jordan, Shara Nova, and Ideeyah. General admission $25.
Feb 4, 2027, 6:00 PMAbby Phillip at The Wright Conversations
Abby Phillip, the award-winning anchor of CNN NewsNight, speaks on Thursday, February 4, 2027, at 6 p.m. in the General Motors Theater at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit. General admission is $35, or $50 with a VIP meet and greet.
Mar 6, 2027, 1:00 PMThe Catlett Legacy: A Conversation Across Generations
Elizabeth Catlett's son, granddaughter and grandson sit down for an intimate family conversation on Saturday, March 6, at 1 p.m. at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit. It's free, with registration.
Mar 11, 2027, 6:00 PMMichael W. Twitty
Michael W. Twitty, award-winning author of The Cooking Gene and a culinary historian, speaks on Thursday, March 11, at 6 p.m. at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit. The Wright Conversations evening digs into the foods of the African diaspora and the American South. Tickets start at $25.
Mar 26, 2027, 7:30 PMDavid Roussève
Choreographer, writer, director and filmmaker David Roussève performs on Friday, March 26, at 7:30 p.m. in the General Motors Theater at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit. His work takes on racism, sexism and homophobia; general admission is $30.
Mar 27, 2027, 7:30 PMDavid Roussève
Choreographer, writer, director and filmmaker David Roussève performs on Saturday, March 27, at 7:30 p.m. in the General Motors Theater at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit. General admission is $30.
Apr 16, 2027, 7:30 PMMeshell Ndegeocello: No More Water – The Gospel of James Baldwin
Meshell Ndegeocello, a key figure in the rise of neo-soul, performs No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin on Friday, April 16, at 7:30 p.m. in the General Motors Theater at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit. General admission is $45.
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