Frequently
Asked
Questions

Originally scheduled for January 21, 2023, the Museum’s opening was delayed while City of Charleston staff and contractors worked to stabilize humidity and temperature levels inside the new building. Those issues are now resolved and building operations have been transferred to the IAAM in preparation for the grand opening on Tuesday, June 27, 2023. Tickets reservations are required for entry and may be purchased here. 

No, the Charter Membership is closed. Learn more about other Membership opportunities here!

We are working on exciting ways for the entire IAAM Family to engage in festivities during Opening Week. Stay tuned for more information.

The Opening Ceremony is invitation-only and will honor the individuals and institutions that founded the Museum.

Reserved time tickets are available now and can be purchased here. If you are a Member, please remember to use your promo code when purchasing your reserved ticket. If you are a Member and have not received your promo code, please contact our Membership Team at [email protected]

Our new Annual Membership program has launched with special benefits designed to enrich your IAAM experience. We have a membership option for everyone. Click here to explore our membership tiers. All memberships are valid immediately upon purchase.

Memberships are valid for one year through the end of the month. For example, a membership purchased on August 15, 2023, will be valid until August 30, 2024.

Email us at [email protected] or call 843-872-5352 Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The International African American Museum is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization (EIN 203398254). A portion of your membership is tax-deductible.

If your question is not answered here, please visit our Contact Us page.

The Museum gratefully accepts contributions:

1. Online, through our secure transaction system
2. By phone—please call 843-872-5352
3. By check written to “The International African American Museum” mailed to:

   ATTN: Development Department
   Post Office Box 22761
   Charleston, SC 29413

All donations are 100% tax deductible.

Please visit our Object Donation page to inquire about donating artifacts to our collection. Click on the Object Donation button and then select and complete the Collections Object Donation Form.

To inquire about donating records to the Center for Family History, please visit our CFH Archives Submission page. Click on the CFH Contribute Online button and then select and complete the CFH Archives Submission Form.

The Museum appreciates its growing family of volunteers who play a vital role in many aspects of our mission. To inquire about becoming a volunteer, please visit our Contact Us page. Complete the General Inquiry form, selecting Volunteering in the drop-down menu under I’m Interested In.

You may be asked to complete an intake survey to share your skills and interests and facilitate your placement.

Beginning on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, the Museum will be open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. The last entry time is at 4:00 P.M. We are closed on Mondays, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.

We recommend planning to spend approximately 1.5-2 hours experiencing the interior of the Museum. The African Ancestors Memorial Garden also contains monuments, features, and opportunities for reflection, which may extend your visit by about 30-60 minutes.

Yes. Please go to our Plan Your Visit page, and complete our Large Groups or Student Field Trips form. Our staff will be back in touch soon.

Ticket prices, hours of operation, and information on scheduling group visits can be found on our Plan Your Visit page.

Admission includes all exhibits in the interior of the Museum, including special temporary exhibitions and the Center for Family History. The African Ancestors Memorial Garden is open to the public and free to visit at any time.

For your safety and to ensure an excellent visitor experience, tickets are timed entry and redeemable for entrance only at the time and date specified. Once inside, you are welcome to explore the museum at your own pace.

Yes, the IAAM is fully ADA-compliant. Elevators and other accessibility features are indicated on our Visitor Guide floor plan.

In order to ensure an enjoyable and safe visit for everyone, late entry is not guaranteed. Those wishing to enter at a later time may be able to exchange their ticket(s) for a later entry time on the same date, by visiting the Admissions counter or calling our ticketing office. Exchanges are subject to available capacity in our timed entry system.

Yes, special group rates and tours are available. Please complete the Large Groups form on our Plan Your Visit page, and a member of our staff will be back in touch soon.

Yes, our café is located in the lobby across from the box office counter.

Yes, our gift shop is located in the lobby adjacent to the box office counter. It is open during regular museum hours.

To learn more about the spaces we have available for special events rentals, please visit our Private Event Rentals page.

Please submit all media inquiries using the Request Media Form located near the bottom of our Media Inquiries page.

Current employment opportunities can be viewed here.

Join our email newsletter to stay informed about special exhibitions, public programs, and events at the IAAM. You can submit your email in the footer below.

We can also be found on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.