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Africatown Heritage House: A Story of Resilience

Discover the compelling story of the Clotilda and the resilient community of Africatown in Mobile, Alabama.

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The Africatown Heritage House in Mobile, Alabama, is a museum dedicated to telling the story of the Clotilda, the last known slave ship to arrive in the United States, and the community founded by its survivors. The exhibition highlights the history, culture, and resilience of the people who created Africatown after enduring the horrors of the transatlantic slave trade.

A brief summary to Africatown Heritage House

Local tips

  • Purchase tickets online in advance, as capacity is limited and timed entry is required.
  • Mobile County residents receive free admission with proof of residency, though donations are encouraged.
  • Allow at least two hours to fully experience the exhibition.
  • Be mindful that Africatown is a residential area and respect the community's residents.
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Getting There

  • Driving

    If driving from downtown Mobile, head north on N Royal St, which turns into Africatown Blvd. Continue for approximately 3 miles. As you enter Africatown, look for signs directing you to the Africatown Heritage House. Parking is available near the Africatown Heritage House and Robert L. Hope Community Center and is free. Note that GPS directions may vary, so it's best to follow the main roads and look for signage. From Interstate 65 South: Use the right 2 lanes to take exit 9 for I-165 S toward Prichard/Downtown Mobile. Continue onto I-165 S. Take exit 2 toward I-10 E/US-90 E/Bay Bridge Rd. Turn left onto Paper Mill Rd. Turn left onto McKinley St. Turn right onto Winbush (or Wimbush) St. Africatown Heritage House will be on the immediate right.

  • Public Transport

    From downtown Mobile, walk to the Mobile Transit bus stop at Government St & Royal St. Take the Route 10 bus towards Mobile Regional Airport. Ride for about 30 minutes and get off at the stop near Wimbush St. Walk north on Wimbush St for about 10 minutes, and you will reach Africatown Heritage House at 2465 Wimbush St. A one-way fare is $1.25.

  • Taxi/Ride-Share

    Taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are readily available in Mobile and can provide a convenient way to reach Africatown. A ride from downtown Mobile to Africatown typically costs between $15 and $25, depending on traffic and demand. Be sure to specify your destination as the Africatown Heritage House or the address '2465 Wimbush St, Mobile, AL 36610'.

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Discover more about Africatown Heritage House

Africatown Heritage House stands as a poignant reminder of a dark chapter in American history and a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Located in the heart of historic Africatown, just north of Mobile, Alabama, the Heritage House is home to "Clotilda: The Exhibition," which tells the story of the last known slave ship to arrive in the United States and the community its survivors built. The Clotilda arrived in Mobile in 1860, decades after the international slave trade was outlawed. It carried 110 Africans who were illegally brought to America. After emancipation, these individuals, determined to preserve their heritage, founded Africatown, a self-governed community where they maintained their customs, languages, and traditions. The exhibition uses interpretive text panels, documents, and artifacts, including recovered pieces of the Clotilda, to immerse visitors in the story. It explores the origins of the enslaved people in West Africa, the horrors of the Middle Passage, and the establishment of Africatown. Visitors will discover the remarkable lives of Cudjoe Kazoola Lewis and others who shaped Africatown. The displays also look toward the future of Africatown and invite visitors to reflect on what they have seen. Visiting the Africatown Heritage House is an emotional and educational experience that offers a powerful tribute to the strength and perseverance of a community determined to preserve its heritage.

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