Northwest African American Museum

Photo: Donald Hice via Google Maps

The Northwest African American Museum, known as NAAM, occupies the historic Colman School building in Seattle’s Central District, just off South Massachusetts Street and next to Jimi Hendrix Park. The museum calls itself the premier institution for showcasing African American art, history and culture in the Pacific Northwest, and it uses that heritage, in its own words, to cultivate healing and hope for all.

It is worth a stop for the building alone, a 1909 red brick school that the community fought for years to turn into a museum. Inside, the galleries trace the long and often overlooked presence of Black people in the Northwest, and the art exhibitions highlight artists with deep Seattle roots, including Jacob Lawrence.

What You’ll See

The Journey Gallery traces African American history in the Northwest from 1790 forward, following the people who came west, built communities and shaped the region. Over the years it has displayed objects such as a Tuskegee airman’s jacket and a concert hat that belonged to Jimi Hendrix, who grew up in this part of Seattle.

Art is a big part of the visit. The museum opened in 2008 with an exhibition devoted to Jacob Lawrence and James W. Washington Jr., two celebrated African American artists with Seattle ties, and Lawrence’s work remains part of what the museum presents. Changing exhibitions fill the rest of the galleries with contemporary art and community history, so there is usually something new even on a return trip. The museum is also a busy community gathering place, hosting celebrations around King Day, Juneteenth and Freedom Day.

The Story Behind It

NAAM grew out of a decades long community effort. In 1981 a group called the Community Exchange proposed an African American museum to Seattle’s mayor. When progress stalled, activists occupied the vacant Colman School in November 1985 to claim it as the museum’s home. The school had closed as an elementary school in 1979, and the occupation lasted more than eight years, which HistoryLink notes is said to be the longest act of civil disobedience in the country.

The City of Seattle agreed to fund the museum in 1993, and the Urban League purchased the building in 2003. The conversion turned the ground floor into galleries and added 36 affordable apartments upstairs. The museum opened on March 8, 2008, drawing an estimated 3,000 visitors. After closing during the pandemic, it reopened on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in January 2023. In 2019 NAAM was one of seven institutions nationwide selected for a Smithsonian standards and excellence program.

Tips for Your Visit

• Free parking is available in the museum’s lot directly outside the building; use the clearly marked museum spaces and avoid the resident parking areas.
• Judkins Park Station on Sound Transit light rail and King County Metro buses both serve the neighborhood, so you can skip the car entirely.
• The museum is a single story, wheelchair accessible space with power assisted doors at the main entrance, accessible and all gender restrooms, baby changing stations and courtesy wheelchairs available first come, first served.
• Videos in the Journey Gallery and Community Living Room have closed captioning. For other accommodations, the museum asks visitors to contact access@naamnw.org.
• Pair your visit with a walk through Jimi Hendrix Park right next door.

Plan Your Visit

Address: 2300 South Massachusetts Street, Seattle, WA 98144
Phone: 206.518.6000
Website: naamnw.org
Hours and admission: Check the museum website for current days, hours, and admission before you visit.
Directions: View on Google Maps