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First MN African - American Museum Set to Open I News
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First MN African - American Museum Set to Open
El Submitted by KSTP News Staff uorof/e167s431ksto- news - staff)
Friday, Friday, June 1st, 2012, 7.56am
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Minnesota is one of just six states without a museum dedicated to African American history.
But that's about to change.
The Minnesota African American Museum will open its doors this weekend for the very first time. It's been more the
Housed in the 128 - year -old historic Coe Mansion in Minneapolis' Stevens Square, it's been completely gutted and
Construction work is still being done inside, but the museum's first exhibit, devoted to the history of black baseball
The museum as a whole is meant to be a definitive record of African American history in our state -- something me
According to Roxanne Givens, the museum's founder, "There's never been a beacon, there's never been a founda
culture can come to learn about African American history."
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It's designed to be a place to remember and celebrate historical, civic, cultural and economic achievements. "Whet
community relations, racial relations," Givens says.
The black baseball exhibit will include Minnesota teams from the late 1800s to the late 1940s -- teams like The Col
Givens explains, "They couldn't get in the major leagues, they couldn't get in the minor leagues, so they started the
Although the first black families settled here 200 years ago, today 5 percent of the Minnesota population is black, c
one of the reasons this kind of museum didn't take flight easily. "It took a long time to educate some funders and a
Minnesota needed an African American museum," Givens says.
Ultimately, all 7,500 square feet of the building will be filled; but that's going to take even more money. "We need a
accessible," Givens says.
The museum has so far received more than two million in public and private money but most of that has already N
the museum's doors will close again until August when they hope to have everything fully operational.
The museum dedication starts Friday with a parade at 4 p.m. Then on Saturday the "Legacy Festival" runs from 1 C
There will be special appearances by past Twins players, a scavenger hunt, crafts, door prizes and more.
For more information, visit www.maamcc.org.
Mark Saxenmeyer can be reached at msaxenmeyer @kstp.com
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