| African American Museum & Library at Oakland |
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Mission
The African American Museum and Library at Oakland is dedicated to the discovery, preservation, interpretation and sharing of historical and cultural experiences of African Americans in California and the West for present and future generations.
Archives
AAMLO's archival collection is a unique resource on the history of African Americans in Northern California and the Bay Area. The over 160 collections in the archives contain the diaries of prominent families, pioneers, churches, social and political organizations. Freedom's Journal, the Liberator, California Voice, Sun Reporter, Muhammed Speaks, and the Black Panther newspapers are available on microfilm. Using AAMLO's oral history collection researchers can listen to interviews with local civil rights activists, educators, writers, and musicians. AAMLO is home to the Eternal Voices video library containing more than 80 years of African American East Bay history and Susheel Bibb's Meet Mary Pleasant DVD (scholarly interviews, key issues and documents). The microfilm collection includes primary research information on African American enslavement, military service, California census records 1910-1930, Marcus Garvey's Universal Negro Improvement Association, W.E.B. Dubois, Benjamin Banneker, Mary Church Terrell, Paul Robeson and others. The archives department is open from 12-4. To make an appointment call (510) 637-0198. Click here for more detailed information about AAMLO's archival collections.
Reference Library
AAMLO has a unique non-circulating reference library, a jewel for researchers, students, and anyone interested in African American history. Its collection consists of approximately 12,000 volumes by or about African Americans. Among its many subjects are books on religion, the military, Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, the Black Panther Party, Africa in relationship to the African-American experience, genealogy, and California history. A collection of children’s books highlights award-winning titles. Patrons can access on-line databases or thumb through James de T. Abajian's Blacks in Selected Newspapers, Censuses and Other Sources. One recent acquisition is the new eight-volume set African American National Biography, containing over 4,000 entries written by distinguished scholars and edited by Henry Louis Gates. The reference library offers access to local and out of state newspapers, scholarly journals, and six computers with word processing and Internet access. The library also owns about 400 videos and DVDs which can be viewed on-site. Library staff are available to assist with research questions, or browsing and enjoyment of the collection. All are welcome! For more information about the reference library, please call (510) 637-0200.
Museum
The second floor museum regularly hosts traveling and original exhibitions that highlight the art, history and culture of African Americans. Click here for information about current and upcoming exhibits.
Computers
10 (ten) computers with Internet access are available for public use. Please call branch at (510) 637-0200 for more information.
Meeting Room Information
AAMLO Meeting Room 1: Private conference room, seats 12, table, dry erase board.
AAMLO Meeting Room 2: Semi-private conference room, seats 8, conference table
For information about policies and rental fees, click here.
Volunteer @ AAMLO
AAMLO welcomes volunteers for library and museum services. Please call us at (510) 637-0199 for more information.
AAMLO History
In 1946 Eugene and Ruth Lasartemay and Jessie and Dr. Marcella Ford began collecting the oral histories and artifacts that documented the activities of African Americans in and around Oakland, the Bay Area and California. On July 2, 1965 the organization officially became the East Bay Negro Historical Society (EBNHS). As their efforts continued, the founders needed to find a larger space for the growing collection. In 1970, the EBNHS moved to a storefront located at 3651 Grove Street.
In 1976 it moved to 4519 Grove, where it operated a museum and library. In 1982, the EBNHS was invited into the Golden Gate Branch of the Oakland Public Library, making it the first Oakland city library with a predominantly African American focused collection. The assistance of Mayor Lionel Wilson, Assemblyman Elihu Harris, and others helped the organization establish a solid foundation in their new home. Following the appointment of Dr. Lawrence Crouchett as its executive director in 1988, the organization changed its name to the Northern California Center for Afro-American History & Life (NCCAAHL).
In 1994, the City of Oakland and the NCCAAHL merged to create the African American Museum & Library at Oakland (AAMLO). This unique public/private partnership entered a historic juncture with the opening of AAMLO in February 2002. Located at 659 14th Street, AAMLO is housed in the former Charles S. Greene library, an historic 1902 Carnegie building.
A special thank you to Jeff Norman for providing valuable information on the history of the East Bay Negro Historical Society.
Directions & Public Transit Information
AAMLO is located on the Southwest corner of 14th Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Way in Oakland, California.
By Car:
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From the Oakland Airport and the south, take 880 north to the Broadway/Downtown exit. Turn right on Broadway, then left on 12th Street. Stay on 12th Street to Martin Luther Jr. Way, turn right on Martin Luther King Jr. Way, passing Preservation Park on the left. AAMLO is on the left at the end of that block.
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Driving from San Francisco, cross the Bay Bridge and follow signs to 580 East. (Do not take the first Oakland 880 exit.) From 580 take 980 West to downtown Oakland. Exit at the 14th and 18th Street ramp, making sure you are in the middle lane. At the second light (14th Street) turn left. Once over the bridge, AAMLO is at the end of the block on your right.
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From Contra Costa County, take Highway 24 to 980 West to downtown Oakland. Exit at the 14th and 18th Street ramp, making sure you are in the middle lane. At the second light (14th Street) turn left. Once over the bridge, AAMLO is at the end of the block on your right.
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From Marin County, take the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, (580 East) to the 80 South merger. Continue past Berkeley exits to the 580 East fork (Hayward/Stockton). Exit at 980 West (downtown Oakland). Take 980 west to downtown Oakland. Exit at the 14th and 18th Street ramp, making sure you are in the middle lane. At the second light (14th Street) turn left. Once over the bridge, AAMLO is at the end of the block on your right.
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Parking:
On Martin Luther King Jr. Way at 12th Street, City Center Garage West is one block south of AAMLO. On 14th Street, City Center Garage (with higher parking fees) is two blocks east of AAMLO, across from City Hall. Metered street parking is also available, but can be difficult to find.
By BART:
By Bus or By BART:
Click here to plan a trip to AAMLO.
Map of AAMLO Location
