Reginald F. Lewis Museum

Reginald F. Lewis Museum and its collection

The Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African-American History & Culture is the premier experience and best resource for information and inspiration about the lives of African American Marylanders. The Lewis Museum's mission is to collect, preserve, interpret, document, and exhibit the rich contributions of African American Marylanders using its collection of over 11,000 documents and objects and resources drawn from across the country. The 82,000 square foot museum is located an easy two-block walk from Baltimore's Inner Harbor at 830 E. Pratt Street in Baltimore , Maryland , with parking available across the street. Opened in 2005, the museum is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution , and was named after Reginald F. Lewis , the first African American to build a billion-dollar company, TLC Beatrice International Holdings. Starting from humble beginnings in Baltimore, in 1993 Forbes listed Lewis among the 400 richest Americans with a net worth estimated at $400 million. Permanent exhibits include "The Strength of the Mind," " Things Hold, Lines Connect," and "Building Maryland, Building America". Recent major exhibitions include the work of artists Jacob Lawrence and Romare Bearden. Other facilities include an oral history recording and listening studio, a special exhibition gallery, a 200-seat theater auditorium, a classroom, and resource center.