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Explore the vibrant past of Southampton African American Museum housed in a former Black-owned barber shop and beauty parlor from the 1940s. Book your tour now!

Southampton African American Museum temporarily open

Presenting Our 2024 Special Black History Program from January to March. 

Please email bsimmons@saamuseum.org to schedule a visit. 

Current exhibitions in Southampton African American Museum

UPSTAIRS

DOWNSTAIRS

DIGITAL TAPESTRY
AUGMENTED REALITY EXPERIENCE
in Southampton African American Museum

UPCOMING EVENTS in Southampton African American Museum

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Southampton African American Museum 2024 SCHeDULe

January

January 13, 2023
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Opening Reception: SAAM collabs with Bold Art Society to connect high school and proffesional artists for Black History Month

Reception Featuring artist Mayowa Nwadike and Students from The Bold Society organization

Executive Director: Frank Bold www.boldartsociety.org

January 20, 2023

Hamptons Civil Rights Back Story Cell Phone Tour Launch

February

February 7, 2023

Black Joy with Brenda Simmons & Dr. Georgette Grier-Key on Zoom

May

Opening Season Memorial Day Weekend

June

June 15, 2024

Annual Juneteenth Celebration

Music by Mali Africa Master Kora player Yacouba Sissoko and his band SIYA Traditional Juneteenth Style BBQ

July

July 20, 2024

Opening Reception

Featuring Artist Alvin Clayton

TBD

Founders Circle Fundraiser

THE EVERYDAY PEOPLE CORNER

The Everyday People Corner is a monthly series highlighting individual residents of Southampton and the East End, including historical events, personal anecdotes and those kitchen table, barbershop and beauty shop stories. If you know of someone with wonderful memories; if you have a memory, a story about the ’Hood (from Da Hill to Azurest,) or the adventures of growing up on the East End; whether you are 30 generations of the land, migrated here for a new life, or came in the summers…. Let’s praise our everyday lives and everyday people!

Southampton African American Museum MISSION

To promote an understanding and appreciation of African American culture by creating programs that will preserve the past, encourage learning and enhance the life of the community. SAAM will research and collect local history, produce media events, create exhibits and community celebrations.

A BIT OF SAAM HISTORY

The Southampton African American Museum (SAAM) began in 2005 under the name The East End African American Museum and Center for Excellence. Until now, it has functioned as a virtual museum—hosting events and exhibits in public spaces throughout Southampton Village—most notably the Annual Southampton African American Film Festival. Our NEW home for SAAM is located at 245 North Sea Road in Southampton, NY. Affectionally called “The Barbershop," the building was a local gathering place for area African Americans from the 1940s until its closing. In 2010, the Village Historic Preservation Board designated it as the first African American historic landmark in the Village of Southampton, and the process was started to transform it into our permanent space.

TRANSFORMING A LANDMARK

We are so excited to finally have a home for our community and a place to showcase our exhibits and host events. See how 245 North Sea Road has evolved from a gathering place of the past to a destination for the future—step by step!

TREASURE THE PAST: PYRRHUS CONCER

Pyrrhus Concer was born on March 17, 1814 to an enslaved mother, Violet; following her status, he too became the property (whether technically a slave or an indentured servant) of his mother’s owner Captain Nathan Cooper in Southampton. Subsequently, Concer was sold to Mr. Elias Pelletreau II for the sum of $25.00. Five years old at the time of his sale, Concer had no choice regarding his transfer, leaving his mother behind when he was still a young child. Even after slavery ended in 1826, Pyrrhus Concer apparently remained in the Pelletreau household until he was about 26 years old.

ARCHIVES

Explore our past events and exhibits

BLACK ANGELS OVER TUSKEGEE

Written & Directed by Layon Gray

The Story of the Tuskegee Airmen

Sponsored by SAAM
learn more

HAMPTONS ARTS NETWORK THAW FEST

Performance by Taylor Burgess

Southampton Historical Museum

Sponsored by SAAM

SAAM 9TH ANNUAL FILM FESTIVAL

Performance by artist J. Ivy with Certain Moves

Hosted at the Southampton Cultural Center September 2014

watch

AFRICAN AMERICAN ART

From the Private Collection
of Peter Marino​

SAAM is located at
245 North Sea Road
in Southampton, NY

PHONE
631.353.3299

EMAIL
info@saamuseum.org

HOURS
FRI-SUN 11AM to 3PM
By Appointment Only

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Funded by the Suffolk County Department of Economic Development and Planning