During a recent visit to Montgomery, Alabama for Honda’s Battle of the Bands weekend, I had the chance to explore two historical sites and museums powered by the 2023 Honda Pilot. The Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site in Tuskegee and The Legacy Museum is a museum in Montgomery, Alabama. Both museums offered unique learning experiences that explored the rich history, present plight and future of the Black experience in America.
The Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site
This museum is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of African American military pilots who served in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. The Tuskegee Airmen were a group of pioneering pilots who overcame discrimination and segregation to become one of the most respected and successful fighter groups of World War II. The museum tells the story of these men and women, their struggles and triumphs, and their contributions to American history.
The museum is located on the grounds of Moton Field, which was the training base for the Tuskegee Airmen. Visitors can explore the historic airfield and see exhibits on the history of aviation and the role of African Americans in military aviation. The museum also features interactive exhibits, educational programs, and a collection of artifacts, photographs, and memorabilia from the Tuskegee Airmen and other African American aviators.
The Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site is part of the National Park Service and is open to the public year-round. The museum offers a unique opportunity to learn about the history of the Tuskegee Airmen and their lasting impact on American society.
The Legacy Museum
The Legacy Museum is closely connected to the nearby National Memorial for Peace and Justice, which is dedicated to the victims of lynchings and racial terror in America. The museum and memorial work together to create a powerful and transformative experience for visitors, encouraging them to confront America’s difficult history and to work towards a more just and equitable future. The exhibits at the Legacy Museum use multimedia displays, interactive exhibits, and historical artifacts to create a powerful and immersive experience for visitors. The exhibits cover topics such as the transatlantic slave trade, the role of slavery in the American economy, the Civil War and Reconstruction, the Jim Crow era, and the civil rights movement.
One of the most powerful exhibits at the museum is a collection of jars filled with soil collected from lynching sites across the country. The jars are a poignant reminder of the brutal violence that was inflicted upon African Americans during the Jim Crow era. Due to copyrights, photography inside the museum is not permitted.
The museum is housed in a former warehouse building that was once used to store slaves before they were auctioned off. The building has been renovated and transformed into a powerful and thought-provoking space that tells the story of slavery and its legacy in America.
Both museums and experiences should be on your bucket list this year. Even though Black History Month has come to a close, Black History is American History and should be rediscovered and celebrated all year long!
