The Pinellas County African American History Museum, Clearwater

About The Pinellas County African American History Museum

The Pinellas County African American History Museum occupies the former Curtis Elementary School in Clearwater, Florida, serving as a research center and repository for Black history, culture, and artifacts from the region. Visitors explore the permanent exhibit "The Triumphs and Tribulations of African Americans in Pinellas County, Florida," which documents the African American social and cultural experience through historical materials and educational displays. The museum's artifact collections include The Midwife Della Jackson Birth Records, historical photographs, school yearbooks, church and funeral programs, antique furnishings, art, and publications. The facility was founded by educators Sandra Rooks and Randy Lightfoot in 2000 and is named after renowned educator S.W. Curtis, reflecting the building's original purpose as a school for African American children. Throughout the year, the museum hosts educational programs and special events, such as artist talkbacks exploring topics like the Jim Crow era in Florida, making it a resource for those studying African American history and culture.