Our Story

Founded and operated through The African Shore Community Development Corporation in collaboration with Arts Reforming Communities, the aim of the project is to establish a special interest Museum that will provide multiple services and areas of focus. This museum will eventually be housed within a facility in Paterson, NJ that will fit its specialized needs. The museum will serve the community's diverse ethnic population as the gateway to learning the history of: (a) The Underground Railroad and slavery in Paterson and Greater areas, (b) The History and contributions of African Americans of Paterson, NJ and their impact on the Greater county, state, county and world, and (c) the historic, present and future connection and intersection of African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, Asians, Europeans, etc. to one another.  In addition, the museum will seek to directly impact the over 24,000 students in the Paterson Public Schools as well as the 10,000 students that attend Passaic County Community College each year. This museum will be designed to be interactive, interconnected and entertaining. It will host rotating Art and Historic exhibitions and provide a series of activities and seminars for learning and community development. By promoting partnerships with community; colleges, universities, school districts, non-profits, churches and other community groups, we will build a robust museum that will address current, historic and on-going issues of diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice within the society; educational curricular; and in our everyday pursuit of happiness assuring our success not by monetary size, but by more qualitative measurements such as the scale and effectiveness of our efforts. Just imagine what we can achieve together!