At the Vanguard: Making and Saving History at HBCUs

At the Vanguard: Making and Saving History at HBCUs weaves together stories of ingenuity, artistry, persistence, and resistance through the transformative world of HBCUs. Featuring over 100 objects from the collections of five universities, the exhibition explores their diverse practices in the arts, dynamic academic programs and innovations, and groundbreaking activities on and around their campuses. 

HBCUs have always been sites of cultural vibrancy and educational enrichment for students, faculty, staff, and surrounding communities. These historic institutions have grown exponentially from their beginnings at the end of the Civil War. Today, the contents of HBCU campus museums and archives are the vanguard of collecting institutions in the making and saving of African American history.

Learn more about the exhibition, the National Museum of African American History & Culture and the HBCU History and Culture Access Consortium Initiative at: At the Vanguard | National Museum of African American History and Culture