Black History at The Children's Museum

Black History is American History

The contributions of Black Americans surround us every day of the year in every aspect of life—in science, the arts, technology, sports, entertainment, and so much more! We celebrate all of the amazing contributions that Black Americans have made to our world each and every day at The Children's Museum. Here are some highlights of the many Black Americans you'll find the net time you visit.

Black Lives Matter mural at The Children's Museum.

Artists

Rebecca Robinson featured in the Lechleiter Indiana Visiting Artist display
Rebecca is one of the museum’s Visiting Artists for the 2024–25 season. Visit the display near the Concierge Desk to view osome of her work and check the Daily Activities page for her upcoming workshops.

The Eighteen Art Collective featured in Stories from Our Community: The Art of Protest
In 2020, 18 Black artists came together in Indianapolis to create a public mural in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. Visit this exhibit to explore their artwork and discover how art can communicate stories, messages, and emotions that words alone cannot always express.

Evan Cooper featured in the Dinosphere Art Lab
Visit the Art Lab to discover how paleo artists like Evan combine scientific knowledge with their own artistic style. Use the green artwork labels to locate Evan’s work throughout the gallery.

Ava DuVernay featured in American POP
Check out the Barbie® doll inspired by Ava, the first Black woman to win Best Director at the Sundance Film Festival. Ava is also the first Black woman to be nominated for the Golden Globe for Best Director and the Academy Award for Best Picture.

Israel Solomon featured in multiple locations
Look for this Indianapolis artist’s paintings in the Dinosphere Art Lab and Stories from Our Community.

Dig Deeper

Check out these books to learn more about famous Black Americans:

28 Days: Moments in Black History that Changed the Word by Charles R. Smith, Jr., and Shane W. Evans.
A Black Woman Did That: 43 Boundary-Breaking, Bar-Raising, World-Changing Women by Malaika Adero and Chanté Timothy
Have You Thanked an Inventor Today? by Patrice McLaurin and Dian Wang

Resources like these are available in The Museum Store.

The Children's Museum Store

Inventors & Scientists

Visit All Aboard! to discover how the following inventors revolutionized the railroad industry:

Andrew J. Beard, inventor of the automatic car coupler
Elijah McCoy, inventor of the automatic lubricator, known as “the real McCoy”
Granville T. Woods, known as the “Black Edison” for his inventions in telecommunications

Dr. Christine M. Darden, pictured in Beyond Spaceship Earth
Check out the Flight Adventures display to learn about how engineers like Dr. Darden use models to test their designs. Dr. Darden was one of the amazing “human computers” featured in the book Hidden Figures.

Performers

Misty Copeland featured in American POP
Find the Barbie® doll inspired by Misty, the first Black female principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre.

Aretha Franklin featured in American POP
Known as the Queen of Soul, Aretha was the first woman inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Check out the display on music technology to find one of her vinyl records.

The Jackson 5 & Boyz II Men featured in American POP
Explore albums and merchandise to discover how these best-selling groups fit into the musi industry's long tradition of boy bands.

Run DMC featured in American POP
This groundbreaking band was the first rap group to earn a Gold album (500,000 copies sold). Find one of their albums, and consider how Run DMC influenced both music and fashion.

People sitting inside a re-creation of Ruby Bridges's classroom in The Power of Children exhibit at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis.

Civil Rights Leaders

Rosa Parks featured in American POP
Find the Barbie® doll inspired by Rosa, whose refusal to give up her seat to White passengers on a bus sparked the Montgomery bus boycott of 1955.

Ruby Bridges featured in The Power of Children: Making a Difference®
When she was only 6 years old, Ruby Bridges became the first Black student to integrate William Frantz Elementary, an all-White school in New Orleans, Louisiana. Explore this exhibit for an in-depth look at Ruby’s story, and consider how you can make a difference in the world today.

The Little Rock Nine featured in The Power of Children: Making a Difference®
In 1957, these nine teenagers became the first Black students to integrate Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. Visit the “Footsoldiers for Freedom” display to learn about their courage and how they paved the way for Ruby Bridges.

"Footsoldiers for Freedom: We Were There, Too!" and "They were champions for change" displays, including Crispus Attucks letter sweater and Oscar Robertson sculpture.

Athletes

Jackie Robinson featured in Memories, Wonders, and Dreams: Stories from 100 Years
As the first Black American to play in Major League Baseball, Jackie Robinson one of the most-celebrated players in MLB history. Official photos from his time with the Brooklyn Dodgers are on display in our special exhibit that celebrates the museum's centennial year. These photos capture not only the athletic abilities of Robinson, but also the camaraderie he felt with his teammates.

Tamika Catchings featured in the Riley Children's Health Sports Legends Experience®
Check out the bobblehead autographed by Tamika, former star basketball player on the Indiana Fever. During her 15-year career, Tamika won the WNBA title, numerous WNBA awards, and four Olympic gold medals. She is also featured in the Avenue of Champions in the outdoor portion of the Riley Children's Health Sports Legends Experience®. The outdoor area is open March–October.

Oscar Robertson, featured in The Power of Children: Making a Difference®
Oscar Robertson changed the game on and off the basketball court. He is the definition of an Indiana sports legend. fYou'll find a statue of Oscar in the “They Were Champions of Change” display about how his high school basketball team, the Crispus Attucks Tigers, made history. You'll also find his likeness in the Avenue of Champions.

Reggie Miller featured in the Riley Children's Health Sports Legends Experience®
Famous as a “clutch” shooter, Reggie was also one of the best all-around shooters in NBA history. He is featured in the Indiana Pacers display as well as in the Avenue of Champions.

Willy T. Ribbs featured in the Riley Children's Health Sports Legends Experience®
Willy was the first Black American to qualify for the Indianapolis 500. Visit the back of the gallery to see a real car that Willy drove.

Wilma Rudolph featured in the Riley Children's Health Sports Legends Experience®
Track star Wilma was the first American woman to win three gold medals at a single Olympics. Check out the touchscreen interactive called A History of Women in Sports in The World of Sport to learn more about Wilma’s amazing story. Wilma is also featured in the Avenue of Champions.

Hank Aaron, DaMarcus Beasley, Mamie “Peanut” Johnson, Toni Stone, and Reggie Wayne featured in the Riley Children's Health Sports Legends Experience®
All of these amazing athletes have ties to Indiana and are featured in the Avenue of Champions. Be sure to include visit the museum while the outdoor portion of he Riley Children's Health Sports Legends Experience® opens for the season.

Gabby Douglas featured in in American POP
Find the Barbie® doll inspired by Gabby, the first U.S. gymnast to win gold in both the individual all-round and team competition at the same Olympics and the first Black American to win an Olympic gold medal in gymnastics.