MARYLAND AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM CORPORATION

ORIGIN & FUNCTIONS

In 1998, the Maryland African American Museum Corporation was created by the General Assembly as a public instrumentality of the State and as an independent agency of State government (Chapter 428, Acts of 1998; Code State Government Article, secs. 9-2601 through 9-2614). The Corporation planned, developed, and now manages the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African-American History and Culture in Baltimore in cooperation with the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, State government agencies, and public and private institutions.

[photo, Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African-American History & Culture, Baltimore, Maryland] Near the Baltimore Inner Harbor, the Museum is at 830 East Pratt Street on the northeast corner of Pratt and Presidents streets. Ground was broken for the 72,000 square-foot structure on December 3, 2002, and the Museum opened on June 25, 2005.

Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African-American History & Culture, 830 East Pratt St., Baltimore, Maryland, August 2010. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

[photo, Entrance exhibit, Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African-American History & Culture, Baltimore, Maryland] The Museum is named after Reginald F. Lewis (1942-1993). Born in Baltimore, Lewis was an entrepreneur and philanthropist, who served as chair and chief executive officer of TLC Beatrice International, the largest company owned by an African American in the country.

At least once every five years, the Corporation prepares a strategic plan setting goals and priorities for the Museum.

Entrance exhibit, Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African-American History & Culturee, 830 East Pratt St., Baltimore, Maryland, October 2014. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

[photo, Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African-American History & Culture, Baltimore, Maryland]

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Corporation's Board of Directors consists of twenty-five members. Twenty-two members are appointed by the Governor to four-year terms. One member is appointed by the Senate President, and one by the House Speaker. The Mayor of Baltimore serves ex officio. The Board appoints the Executive Director (Chapter 26, Acts of 2004; Chapter 25, Acts of 2005; Chapters 139 & 140, Acts of 2023; Code State Government Article, secs. 9-2603, 9-2604).

Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African-American History & Culture, 830 East Pratt St., Baltimore, Maryland, October 2014. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

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