“What is ordinary?” I ask you. The Colored Girls Museum celebrates the stories of ordinary Black women and girls. It is a unique space in Philadelphia. The Colored Girls Museum honors their experiences. It highlights their history.
Founded in 2015 by Vashti DuBois, The Colored Girls Museum is located in Germantown. The museum resides in a 140-year-old Victorian twin home. This area is known for its historic buildings. The Colored Girls Museum is the first of its kind. It focuses on the lives of colored girls of African descent. These girls’ stories are often hidden. Yet, they contribute greatly to society.
The Colored Girls Museum collects objects. These objects represent an aspect of a colored girl’s story. The girls themselves submit these artifacts. The objects hold meaning for them. They embody their experiences. They express what it means to be a colored girl. The museum preserves these artifacts. It honors them. It also decodes them. This makes The Colored Girls Museum a special place. It acts as a research center. It is also an exhibition space. It serves as a gathering place too. It functions as a think tank.
The Colored Girls Museum has become an anchor institution. It redefines what a museum can do. The museum supports many Black and Black femme-led projects. The Colored Girls Museum provides a sanctuary. It is not just for colored girls. It welcomes anyone ready for a conscious revolution.
The mission is to protect the collective memory of Black girls and women. The museum archives their wisdom. It documents their resistance. This effort counters negative stereotypes. It fights oppressive forces. The Colored Girls Museum seeks to provide a safe harbor. It wants to be a home for colored girls everywhere.
The Colored Girls Museum presents itself as a learning site. It gives restoration to its patrons. This operation archives a counter-narrative of Black girlhood. It presents Black femmehood through exhibits. It offers events and programs. The Colored Girls Museum engages in community partnerships.
Visiting The Colored Girls Museum evokes many emotions. The museum celebrates creativity. Ordinary Black women and girls do so much. They have done so for so long. They deserve a space that celebrates them. The artists featured are often local. This gives the museum a community feel.
The Colored Girls Museum offers tours. You can visit on Saturdays and Sundays. Tour times are from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Consider The Colored Girls Museum a place to sit for a spell. It is a place for reflection. It is a place to regroup. It readies you for new ideas. It inspires you.
The Colored Girls Museum is more than just a museum. It is a movement. It is a testament to the power of ordinary colored girls. It is a reminder of their extraordinary contributions. It is a sanctuary for all.