DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center — Attraction in Hyde Park Township

If the Smithsonian is their partner, someone had better get over there and help them out. I have never seen such a poorly curated museum! The displays were not easy to understand and were badly explained. Every display, except Harold Washington, has a negative, unhappy message. There wasn’t one uplifting message of hope for the future or pride in the culture. The first display on art had no cohesive message. Who was this person? What is the story? What does all the other stuff in the room have to do with it? My friend remarked that the museum seemed to shove in anything they would get. The military displays were done better. But there was still signage that was not clear. One said something like- they came home and the houses were gone. Who? The soldiers or the Europeans? They were trying to tell two stories. The valiant efforts of the soldiers and how they were betrayed. They negative message won. Not the message of the heroic soldiers who everyone should be proud of. An entire wing was dedicated to Jack and Jill. Still not sure what that whole thing was supposed to educate us about. But don’t touch the leaves!!! The Harold Washington display had great videos but we didn’t know there was more than one. Spread them out. Make it clear. And the displays!?!? A briefcase! Whose briefcase? Why was it there? A stool? Why? An etching. Why? Who is setting these displays up? I learned about the race riots at the beginning of the last century. We need to learn from our mistakes. The slavery displays which moved into the more modern discrimination were compelling. There could have been better signage and explanation. And— There isn’t any uplifting message up on the achievements. There is no positive story about the heros , the artists, the historic culture. The stories were spun toward the negative. Again we need to learn from our mistakes and face history directly. But as an institution you also have a...

I visited the Museum today and arrived by 2:45 pm to see the play Shady Hills.

The Play was great & Kudos to all of the Actresses & Actors !! I came out to Support our people .

Seating Reserved :

The entire Main floor seats were reserved with posted paper signs and over half of the upper level / balcony seats was also reserved.

As the show began at 4:00 pm and until it ended , there was at least 30 or more empty reserved seats on the main level and several in the balcony area. The Seniors would have loved to be allowed to use those seats.

Elevator ???

No regards to Seniors using canes. They had to walk up to the top of the balcony area to get a seat .

I asked a lady working the table about the numerous of reserved signs and she replied " I don't handle that ".

No ushers to assist the Seniors to the upper level or up / down the stairs.

One usher / worker ignored a Senior who continued to ask where are the seats that's not reserved.

Rehab / Remodel:

The Museum needs remodeling because the seats are so uncomfortable and you can't move your legs without kicking the seat in front of you . Seats and Isle should be numbered . New lighting needed because people had to use their phone flash lights to find the seats because it was too dark in the Museum.

It is very difficult to support this Black Museum because of the unacceptable procedures / accommodations.

Very unsatisfied African American customer . I will not be attending another event at the...

Seriously, I'm not sure why there aren't more people going to this museum!! If you're in Chicago and have made your way as far as the Museum of Science and Industry, you need to walk 30 minutes to the west and visit the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center on the University of Chicago's Hyde Park campus. This museum is very well done--the exhibits are relevant, informative and emotional. The staff that greeted me was friendly, kind, and gave me great tips on how to move through the museum. I especially appreciated the exhibits on Black Chicagoans military service, and the history and activism of Black Chicago. A couple of things to know: While technically "free," please make a free-will donation to support the museum. They do not allow back packs to go through the museum with you. There are lockers, but the lockers do not have a locking mechanism built in to them. Bring your own lock. They do have cameras in the room with the lockers, and there are staff within view of the room, so I felt like my stuff was pretty safe. I did not leave anything "valuable" in my pack, though--I took my money, license, credit cards, etc. with me. The building is beautiful!! There are a few stair cases but there is also an elevator. The gift shop has great items, including many books that would be worth reading. I wanted to buy all of them!

This is a hidden gem of a museum. It is...