Celebrate Black History Month: Pope House Museum

Black History Month is here, and what better place to start the month off than at the Pope House Museum, the only African-American house museum in N.C., located in downtown Raleigh. This two-story relic is run by the City of Raleigh and became the museum that it is today in 1999.  Your free 30-minute private tour will educate you on the life of Dr. Manassa Thomas Pope: doctor, scholar, father, and hopeful politician. As you walk the halls of his 1901 home, view empowering artifacts such as his medical doctorate from Shaw University and original home furnishing like his George P. Bent “Crown” piano.

Pope’s “Crown” piano. On your tour, make sure to inquire about the teeth marks on the piano.

If you are able to go this weekend, Feb. 6-7th, you will be the first to view the newest exhibit, “A Family Story: Images of the Pope House Museum”. This photography collection highlights the Pope family and the African-American experience in the early 1900s. Relive history through an intimate photo story that walks you through the lives of proud people of color. This exhibit opens Feb. 6th and is a part of every tour.

“A Family Story: Images of the Pope House Museum” opens Feb. 6th, 2021.

The Pope House Museum is located at 511 South Wilmington Street in downtown Raleigh and is open Saturdays 9am-2pm & Sundays 1-4pm. Call ahead of time to book your tour at 919-996-2220. All tours must be scheduled at least 30 minutes beforehand. All tours are guided and free.

The museum is taking the following precautions due to COVID-19:

• Tours are limited to 1 family group or 5 people
• Mandatory wellness check upon entrance
• Mask required
• Between tours, the museum is cleaned