CHARLES H. WRIGHT MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY

Founded in 1965, the Charles H. Wright presents the largest permanent exhibition of African-American culture in the world. With over 35,000 artifacts and archival materials, it explores the history and culture of this population for more than a thousand years. The exhibition is very moving, particularly in the section that traces the departure of slaves from Africa to the colonies of the Americas. It's impossible to remain indifferent to this dark period in history. Also not to be missed is the Ring of Genealogy in the Ford Freedom Rotunda, a terrazzo tile floor piece by artist Hubert Massey, and the United we Stand sculpture by the late local artist Charles McGee, which stands proudly outside the museum entrance. Many other permanent exhibits are well worth a visit, including one highlighting Detroit's enormous artistic heritage in the fields of music, dance and theater, not to mention some very interesting temporary exhibits and the programming of the museum and its theater (performing arts, films, lectures, workshops, etc.). In July, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History organizes the African World Festival at Hart Plaza (downtown, near the Detroit River), the city's largest celebration of the African diaspora.