Archivists, researchers, curators, and museums bring a range of disciplinary approaches, lived experience, source material, and different relationships to the African Diasporic and Black communities. On Thursday, February 26, 2026, at 5:30 pm, join us inside the John Brown House Museum, a Rhode Island Historical Society museum, for Finding Black Voices in the Archive.
This panel, led by Dr. Christopher West, Executive Director of the African American Museum of RI, and Jennifer Galpern, RIHS Senior Manager of the Robinson Research Center, will analyze how each organization delves into its collections and finds the stories of Black Rhode Islanders. Learn about the techniques used by the archivists and historians, real stories of Providence’s Black community, and how you too can explore these archives.
Dr. Christopher West is the Executive Director of the African American Museum of Rhode Island, a community-based initiative that preserves history of the African Diaspora in the 20th and 21st centuries with a focus on workforce development. AAMRI uniquely creates a space for youth to research, preserve and tell Black stories.
Jennifer Galpern, Senior Manager of the Robinson Research Center, has been with the Rhode Island Historical Society for over 13 years. During this time, Jennifer has focused on improving access to the collection by updating and improving finding aids, including the Guide to People of Color. She is currently working on a new online gallery called “In Their Own Voices” highlighting documents written in the first person by marginalized or oppressed individuals.
General admission to Finding Black Voices in the Archive costs $10 per person and $5 for RIHS members. Doors open at 4:30 pm for a reception where attendees explore the museum before hearing the lecture. Advance registration is recommended as space is limited to 30 attendees.
The Rhode Island Historical Society, the state's oldest and only statewide historical organization, is dedicated to honoring, interpreting and sharing Rhode Island's past to enrich the present and inspire the future. Founded in 1822, the RIHS is an advocate for history as a means to develop empathy and 21st -century skills, using its historical materials and knowledge to explore topics of timeless relevance and public interest. As a Smithsonian Affiliate, it is dedicated to providing high-quality, accessible public programming and educational opportunities for all Rhode Islanders through its four sites: the John Brown House Museum, the Museum of Work & Culture, the Mary Elizabeth Robinson Research Center and the Aldrich House.
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