Seabrook Celebrates Black History Month

To celebrate Black History Month Seabrook Village, a retirement community in Tinton Falls, invited The African-American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey from Newtonville to the community to display part of its collection.

Seventy-four historical-laden photos, statues and paintings adorned the Atrium room at Seabrook for countless numbers of residents and members of the public to see. Some of the items included paintings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Billie Holiday, handmade sculptures and postcards.

“I want to not just share African-American history, but American history and how important it was for African-Americans to share in the American dream,” museum owner and curator Ralph Hunter said.

 Hunter began collecting the items for his museum about 12 years ago and has now amassed approximately 11,000 pieces worth millions of dollars he said.

Although the museum is based in Newtonville, Hunter takes part of the museum on the road to four states – New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and New York. Hunter said that the museum is entering a partnership with Richard Stockton College, which will be opening a new branch in Atlantic City. The college will then oversee the museum.

To learn more about The African-American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey, click on the link: http://www.aahmsnj.org/index.html