Black History Month

Celebrate with events and stories about African Americans’ contributions to science and museums.

Throughout February, hear from Field staff, collaborators, and guest speakers about their lived experiences in museums and the sciences. Learn about the contributions of African American scientists, artists, and icons—past and present.

Plus, join in the conversation on social media. We’ll be sharing African American stories and amplifying Black voices through our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts during February and all year long.

Featured Events and Programming

We commemorate Black History Month with conversation about issues at the heart of African American experience and celebration of Black and African culture.

Cultural Curators: Black Voices in the Museum Industry

On February 19th, we hosted a career panel of Field Museum staff who will share their experiences in pursuing careers in the museum industry. The panel featured staff of various roles, including an Exhibit Project Manager, a Multimedia Creative, and a Curator.

Explore underwater archaeology with Tara Roberts

This lyrical memoir is the epic story of one woman’s life-changing journey across four continents to reconcile the past with the present—and find her place in the world. Tara Roberts' shared how her work in underwater archaeology helps recover slave ships lost to time.

PlayLab PlayDate: Black History Month Storytime

On February 26, families with 2-6 year olds took part in a free, drop-in storytime session hosted by the Chicago Public Library (CPL). Readers from CPL shared stories honoring Black identities, communities, history and culture.

Africa Fashion Opening Celebration

On February 28, we celebrated the opening of our newest exhibition Africa Fashion. Meet our collaborators, enjoy a live performance, and learn more about the various styles Africa has to offer.

Visit on a free day

Basic admission is free for Illinois residents most Wednesdays in 2025!

See upcoming dates