Save Our African American Treasures: A National Collections Initiative

Save Our African American Treasures: A National Collections Initiative of Discovery and Preservation, is a collaboration among cultural institutions, community leaders, and the public to preserve and collect African American material culture.

The concept of the Treasures project stems from the realization that the material culture of this important aspect of American history is at risk. Objects that speak to critical moments in our history reside in the homes of families and community institutions around the country — some are yet to be discovered and some may slowly deteriorate due to inadequate conservation.

Treasures will stimulate preservation activity nationwide, assist people in identifying and preserving objects of historical and cultural significance, and help to identify potential collaborations among other cultural institutions and communities across the country. Treasures programs began in five target cities: Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; Los Angeles, CA; New York, NY; and Washington, DC and they will continue again in other selected venues to be announced later.

Treasures programs will include Preservation Classrooms to guide community participants how to best preserve the treasures they find in their attics, closets, and basements and consider the American stories their personal treasures tell. Professionals will share information with participants about how to protect photographs, wedding suits, paper documents, decorative objects, and the other personal treasures that they hold dear.

We will inform you through this web page and on our home page when more locations are selected for upcoming sessions of Save Our African American Treasures.