Annotated Bibliography

Africanamericanculture.org

This is the official website for the Reginald F. Lewis Museum. On this website you can find all the things the museum has to offer. This websites provides the history, and background of Reginald F. Lewis and the museum. It also provides a wonderful description of the museum and  the exhibits it houses.

"Why Should White Guys Have All the Fun?" by Reginald F. Lewis, and Blair S. Walker

This is the title of the autobiography, which recounts the life of Reginald F. Lewis. This book tells about the struggles Mr. Lewis had to overcome and the boundaries he had to break through on his way to success. This is where I learned about Mr. Lewis' childhood, and the work ethic instilled in him by his parents. This is also where I learned about the billion dollar business empire, and Wall Street law firm he created.

The Reginald F. Lewis Museum

This is the actual museum, where I learned a great deal about the cultural effect, and influence African Americans had on Maryland. During my visit I had the opportunity to see, and touch some of the artifacts the museum has to offer. I also had the chance visit the museum's library to listen to and read some of the documents that are important to the African American community.

"Monument to Magnate" by Robin Green

This article touches upon the history if the museum, and gives a brief description of the museum.  This is where I found some information about the cultural effect, and significance of the museum's color, structure, and location.

The Reginald F. Lewis Museum

The Reginald F. Lewis Museum is one of the most important sites in Baltimore, Maryland. It is important to the history and background of Maryland. It is important because it provides facts about the impact and influence African Americans had on Maryland.  It tells how blacks created their own style of music, dance, and artwork that is still around and has great influence on todays world. More importantly its a place where generations to come can turn to to explore the history of the African American heritage. It is essential that we  have this museum because there aren't many other ones like it. Without this museum the data, and artifacts inside it would have been lost forever.

The Reginald F. Lewis Museum is definitely an eye catching building. It is a four story building made with black granite, red brick and gold accents that reflect the colors of the Maryland state flag. The structure is said to "convey the spirit of Maryland's African American experience: complex, contradictory, and diverse. The location of the museum is also significant because it is located near the inner harbor, which is the main tourist attraction in Baltimore. The state of Maryland can benefit from this because it is the golden opportunity for Maryland to get into the tourism market.  The inside of the museum is also very interesting starting right at the front entrance. 

Beginning on the first level there is a information and ticket booth, a cafe, and a gift shop. The second level contains a 200 seat theatre, and two temporary galleries that gets changed every six months or so. The first gallery is where you can listen to the stories of some of Maryland's most popular and not-so popular African Americans. Peering just across the hall in the second gallery is where the magnificent artwork of a few Marylanders are on display. The third level has the permanent exhibits, which are broken up into three galleries. Things Hold, Lines Connect, "tells the stories behind the families of  Maryland's African Americans. Despite slavery, they managed to maintain familial and community bonds."  Building Maryland, Building Baltimore, "states the role African American labor played in building the state and national economy, particularly in areas such as iron-working, fishing, and agricultural." Strength of Mind, "focuses on music, art, storytelling, and literature. The fourth and final level is the Learning Resource Center. This is where the library books, papers, oral histories, and other educational resources about the African American experience of Maryland are located.