Exploring the Charles H. Wright Museum: Current and Permanent Exhibits to Enjoy

Story by Biba Adams

Dr. Charles H. Wright was a man of passion. Born in 1918, he was motivated to become a physician. He wanted to be an OB-GYN and support women. And he did. Right here in Detroit at Hutzel Women's Hospital for many years until his retirement in 1986. Wright was also a public servant who sought to increase diversity in the medical industry. His medical legacy meant the delivery of more than 7,000 babies in the city of Detroit, but Wright also had another dream. "I was committed to what I defined as ‘one of the most important tasks of our times,’ ensuring that generations, especially young African Americans, are made aware of and take pride in the history of their forebears and their remarkable struggle for freedom. An idea came to me that African Americans needed a museum to collect and preserve our history and culture. And, with the help of many minds and hands, that idea came to fruition.”

He envisioned the creation of the museum after a trip to Europe in the mid-1960s and immediately put his plan into action. Wright established the city’s first International Afro-American Museum (IAM). The museum opened on January 30, 1966 at 1549 West Grand Boulevard.

The museum grew and evolved and over many decades, the Museum of African American History evolved. With the approval of voters, city leadership, donors and more, the 125,000 sq-foot, technologically-advanced museum that we all know and love opened on Warren Ave. in April 1997.

Known among Detroiters simply as "The Wright," the museum features dozens of permanent and visiting exhibitions as well as educational programs and research opportunities. The Wright also features a large theater space, library, and a gift shop. If there is anything about Black culture that you are interested in learning more about, The Wright is the right place to start.

Reference: Black Listed Culture

Permanent Exhibits

AND STILL WE RISE
From the tragedy of the Middle Passage to the heroism of the Civil Rights Movement and beyond, And Still We Rise offers a comprehensive look at the history of African-American resilience.

DETROIT PERFORMS!
Detroit Performs! celebrates the luminaries of theater, dance, and music that transformed the Motor City's performing arts scene, and with it, the American pop culture landscape.

RING OF GENEALOGY
Master muralist Hubert Massey lent his creative talent to The Wright to produce this floor-sized installation for the Ford Freedom Rotunda.

STORIES IN STAINED GLASS
Musicians, dancers, freedom advocates: for stained glass artist Samuel A. Hodge, these figures are beacons of hope and transformation in African-American history and culture.

Current Exhibits

D. TREE STUDIO: THE PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF DETROIT TREES
JULY 20, 2023 - DECEMBER 17, 2023
d.Tree Studio: The Past, Present, and Future of Detroit Trees is a special exhibition in partnership with the College for Creative Studies. Describing a five-year journey of building a new relationship with the city's trees.

RUTH E. CARTER: AFROFUTURISM IN COSTUME DESIGN
OCTOBER 10, 2023 - MARCH 31, 2024
This new exhibition features over 60 of the Two-Time Academy Award winning costumer designer’s original designs from iconic films such as Black Panther, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Malcolm X, Do The Right Thing, and more.

You May Also Like