The Pan-African Historical Museum
One of Springfield’s best-kept secrets and a historical treasure trove is affectionately referred to by its acronym: PAHMUSA.
LaJuana Hood (b.1954) who served as founding CEO & Director from its inception until her untimely 2019 death, envisioned a museum “ . . . to present the history and culture of Africa and people of African descent in a dignified and accurate manner.”
The Pan-African Historical Museum – United States of America (PAHMUSA) was organized in 1995. Located on the mezzanine level of downtown Springfield’s Tower Square, PAHMUSA boasts an intimate collection of African Diaspora History exhibits, artifacts, and art.
PAHMUSA’s main gallery Ghana, Mali &; Songhay Exhibit offers insight into these three ancient African empires among our world’s earliest and most influential civilizations from the 4th to the 16th century.
PAHMUSA’s African American Heritage Collection details the lived experience. Imparts the aspirations of some of our very first African American settlers to Springfield and Western Massachusetts, while underscoring the struggles our earliest captive citizens endured fleeing bondage, shaping meaningful lives, asserting human and civil rights, and establishing legacies.
Additional exhibits featured throughout the main gallery inform visitors on African American firsts and cover different eras discussing the unremitting social and political conflicts African Americans have been forced to engage in, in order to affirm their right to benefits of citizenship they are entitled to as Americans.
PAHMUSA showcases several of the donated works of local artists Gina Beavers, Bob Daniels, and Carl Yates.
From April to October, an Underground Railroad Walking Reenactment Tour is offered on the third Saturday of each month, departing from the main gallery promptly at 11:00 a.m.
PAHMUSA’s hours of operation are Tuesday – Friday, 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and on Saturday hours depending upon the event schedule. PAHMUSA hosts guided tours and offers space for community meetings and social function rentals.
For additional information please contact Sam Bradley (413) 779-5571.
